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The Mark of the Dragonfly

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Paperback
$8.99 US
| $11.99 CAN
On sale Jul 21, 2015 | 400 Pages | 9780385376471
Age 10 and up | Grade 5 & Up
Reading Level: Lexile 820L | Fountas & Pinnell Z
For fans of Wrinkle in Time 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:
 
“This magnetic middle-grade debut…[is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred
 
Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum.”-- Kirkus Reviews, Starred
 
A 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.”—School Library Journal, Starred
 
A complex and impeccably developed plot—there is plenty to recommend in this novel.”—The Bulletin
 
“Appealing characters and lots of action make it a good choice for young adventure readers.”—Booklist
  • AWARD
    New York Times Bestseller
  • SELECTION | 2017
    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2017
    Tennessee Volunteer State Award
  • NOMINEE | 2017
    Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2016
    South Carolina Junior Book Award
  • FINALIST | 2016
    Georgia Children's Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2016
    New York Times Bestseller
  • NOMINEE | 2016
    New York Times Bestseller
  • NOMINEE | 2016
    Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Great Lakes Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Maine Student Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    New York Times Bestseller
Praise for The Mark of the Dragonfly:
 
A New York Times Bestseller

“This magnetic middle-grade debut…[is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
 
Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum.”--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
 
A 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.”—SLJ, Starred Review
 
A complex and impeccably developed plot—there is plenty to recommend in this novel.”—The Bulletin
 
“Appealing characters and lots of action make it a good choice for young adventure readers.”—Booklist

Praise for The Secrets of Solace:


Highly recommended for those who have finished with Harry and are too young for Katniss.”—SLJ, Starred Review

An engaging world rich in detail, mayhem, and adventure . . . All aboard for fantasy lovers with a dual penchant for girl power and keeping up with the Indiana Joneses.” —Kirkus Reviews

With imaginative details . . . readers will be rewarded by exciting action scenes and a deeper knowledge of Solace.”—Booklist

“The book nicely balances the firm structure of the archivists’ orderly lives with the wild abandon of the protagonist.”—The Bulletin

Praise for The Quest to the Uncharted Lands:

“The author's endearing STEAM-loving heroine and magical hero hit all the right buttons for middle grade readers....Funny and heartbreaking...a must-have choice for all middle grade shelves.” —SLJ, Starred

"A full-throttle fanfare for those with a predilection for alchemy, adventure, and a little anarchy."—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for The Door to the Lost:

Exquisite worldbuilding will please steadfast fans of Johnson's...and apropos themes of refugees and found families are addressed in a way that retains fantasy flavor while realistically presenting the brutality of ignorance and beauty of humanity. Your new favorite fantasy."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Johnson’s immersive world building is vivid...and the fast-paced action, compelling characters, and one cute magical fox will keep fantasy-loving kids hooked."—Booklist

"With heartfelt explorations of the meanings of friendship and family...fans of portal fantasies, steampunk, and action-driven books will find this an entertaining read and will be left wanting more."—School Library Journal
Jaleigh Johnson is a lifelong reader, gamer, and moviegoer. She loves nothing better than to escape into fictional worlds and take part in fantastic adventures. She lives and writes in the wilds of the Midwest, but you can visit her online at jaleighjohnson.com or on Twitter @JaleighJohnson. View titles by Jaleigh Johnson

About

For fans of Wrinkle in Time 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:
 
“This magnetic middle-grade debut…[is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred
 
Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum.”-- Kirkus Reviews, Starred
 
A 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.”—School Library Journal, Starred
 
A complex and impeccably developed plot—there is plenty to recommend in this novel.”—The Bulletin
 
“Appealing characters and lots of action make it a good choice for young adventure readers.”—Booklist

Awards

  • AWARD
    New York Times Bestseller
  • SELECTION | 2017
    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2017
    Tennessee Volunteer State Award
  • NOMINEE | 2017
    Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2016
    South Carolina Junior Book Award
  • FINALIST | 2016
    Georgia Children's Book Award
  • SELECTION | 2016
    New York Times Bestseller
  • NOMINEE | 2016
    New York Times Bestseller
  • NOMINEE | 2016
    Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Great Lakes Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    Maine Student Book Award
  • NOMINEE | 2015
    New York Times Bestseller

Reviews

Praise for The Mark of the Dragonfly:
 
A New York Times Bestseller

“This magnetic middle-grade debut…[is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
 
Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum.”--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
 
A 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.”—SLJ, Starred Review
 
A complex and impeccably developed plot—there is plenty to recommend in this novel.”—The Bulletin
 
“Appealing characters and lots of action make it a good choice for young adventure readers.”—Booklist

Praise for The Secrets of Solace:


Highly recommended for those who have finished with Harry and are too young for Katniss.”—SLJ, Starred Review

An engaging world rich in detail, mayhem, and adventure . . . All aboard for fantasy lovers with a dual penchant for girl power and keeping up with the Indiana Joneses.” —Kirkus Reviews

With imaginative details . . . readers will be rewarded by exciting action scenes and a deeper knowledge of Solace.”—Booklist

“The book nicely balances the firm structure of the archivists’ orderly lives with the wild abandon of the protagonist.”—The Bulletin

Praise for The Quest to the Uncharted Lands:

“The author's endearing STEAM-loving heroine and magical hero hit all the right buttons for middle grade readers....Funny and heartbreaking...a must-have choice for all middle grade shelves.” —SLJ, Starred

"A full-throttle fanfare for those with a predilection for alchemy, adventure, and a little anarchy."—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for The Door to the Lost:

Exquisite worldbuilding will please steadfast fans of Johnson's...and apropos themes of refugees and found families are addressed in a way that retains fantasy flavor while realistically presenting the brutality of ignorance and beauty of humanity. Your new favorite fantasy."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Johnson’s immersive world building is vivid...and the fast-paced action, compelling characters, and one cute magical fox will keep fantasy-loving kids hooked."—Booklist

"With heartfelt explorations of the meanings of friendship and family...fans of portal fantasies, steampunk, and action-driven books will find this an entertaining read and will be left wanting more."—School Library Journal

Author

Jaleigh Johnson is a lifelong reader, gamer, and moviegoer. She loves nothing better than to escape into fictional worlds and take part in fantastic adventures. She lives and writes in the wilds of the Midwest, but you can visit her online at jaleighjohnson.com or on Twitter @JaleighJohnson. View titles by Jaleigh Johnson