Casper Tock and the Everdark Wings (The Unmapped Chronicles #1)

A boy is transported to the magical realms responsible for creating the Earth’s weather in this heartfelt middle grade fantasy. Casper Tock, 11, eschews the complications of friendship in favor of timetables and lists, which makes him the target of wealthy bullies at his English boarding school. While hiding inside a grandfather clock, he’s sucked through to Rumblestar, one of the four Unmapped Kingdoms that conjure “sunlight, rain, snow, and every untold wonder behind the weather.” Initially mistaken as a criminal by the perpetually grumpy Utterly Thankless, a girl with a propensity for trouble, Casper eventually teams up with her to free the Unmapped Kingdoms’ magic from Morg, a harpy bent on stealing it all for herself. As they wander the regions of Rumblestar, encountering cloud giants, drizzle hags, and more, Casper and Utterly each redefine their understanding of friendship and loyalty while overcoming their individual limitations. Elphinstone (Sky Song) populates this volume with fanciful creatures and concepts, including an overly helpful hot air balloon powered by dragon fire, but she never loses sight of her protagonists’ personal stakes or emotional journeys, resulting in a humorous adventure that resonates on multiple levels. Ages 8–12. [em](Jan.) [/em]