The Mark of the Dragonfly
Jaleigh Johnson
Hardcover
(Delacorte Books for Young Readers, March 25, 2014)
Handpicked by Amazon kidsâ books editor, Seira Wilson, for Prime Book Box â a childrenâs subscription that inspires a love of reading.For fans of Frozen, The City of Ember, and The School of Good and Evil, the New York Times bestseller The Mark of the Dragonfly is a fast-paced adventure story about a mysterious girl and a fearless boy, set in a magical world that is both exciting and dangerous. Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields. The girl doesn't remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she's from the Dragonfly Territories and that she's protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home. The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect--everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible. Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.Praise for The Mark of the Dragonfly: â
âThis magnetic middle-grade debutâŚ[is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal.ââPublishers Weekly, Starred â
âHeart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum.â-- Kirkus Reviews, Starred â
âA fantastic and original tale of adventure and magic...Piper is a heroine to fall in love with: smart, brave, kind, and mechanically inclined to boot.ââSchool Library Journal, Starred âA complex and impeccably developed plotâthere is plenty to recommend in this novel.ââThe Bulletin âAppealing characters and lots of action make it a good choice for young adventure readers.ââBooklist
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