Part of Series
A young girl finds herself faced with an impossible choice—run away from her beloved valley, or unleash a hidden magic and become a Mapmaker to save her home from its new overlords. For centuries, the Mapmakers kept peace in the Valley, but they've long since disappeared. Now the Night Coats hold power with an iron grip—there are only rules, punishments, and consequences. Until one night, on the run from the Night Coats (again), after breaking another rule (again), Alidade stumbles upon a secret door leading to a magical hideaway that belongs to the Mapmakers. There, she finds a map of her home and accidentally brings to life Blue, a magical creature called a memri who is meant to protect the Valley. Blue needs Alidade's help to find the Mapmakers and save the Valley from the Night Coats! But the Mapmakers are long gone. Alidade has a choice: leave the Valley like she's always wanted...or become a Mapmaker and save the only home she's ever known. This is the first book in a thrilling series of adventures where Alidade discovers the world around her as she goes on a fantastical journey.
Authors
Amanda Castillo is a cartoonist and illustrator from the Bay Area in California (unceded Lisjan Ohlone land). She is the artist and co-author, alongside Cameron Chittock, on the middle-grade graphic novel trilogy MAPMAKERS from Random House Graphic. Amanda loves to tell warm and heartfelt stories, whether it be through drawings, words, or both. Her work often explores themes of identity, coming of age, memories, and interpersonal relationships, coming all together to craft memorable tales! In addition to drawing, she enjoys making warm meals for loved ones, learning to tend to plants, and soaking up all the world has to offer.
