Quin comes from a long line of Callers—people who can conjure food, resources, and other things that the citizens of Elipsom desire or need. But Quin (presumed white) has never been able to Call a thing. His mother, head of the ruling Council, intervenes when the time for his Calling test arrives, and when Quin impresses the examiners, he knows it was a ruse: His sister did the Calling. In the aftermath, he discovers that much of what he’s been taught is a lie. Elipsom is on one side of a planet that is supposedly barren everywhere else. But on the other side of the planet is a place called Evantra. Through Allie, a girl who lives there, Quin learns that Calling isn’t conjuring, it’s stealing—from the people of Evantra. The Elipsom Council, led by his mother, is in charge of a system in which the people of Evantra are essentially enslaved to serve Elipsom by growing the food that is Called. Calling is not a typical gift among Evantrans, but Allie has the ability—it’s how Quin found himself there. And her ability has been a secret … until now. This satisfying fantasy offers a straightforward line of action and a clear line between good and evil. But it’s a line along which there’s plenty of tension, as Quin must choose between his family and everything he’s known, and what he knows is right. (Ages 8-10)

Kenneth Oppel meets Andrew Clements in this riveting middle grade novel that will capture fantasy and fiction lovers alike as it thoughtfully explores the power of summoning, other worlds, and consumerism versus necessity.

Arresting, fast-paced, and thought-provoking, this nonstop middle grade adventure turns familiar magic upside down and inside out.

In the world of Elipsom, the ability to Call, or summon objects, is a coveted, crucial skill, revered among its people as both a powerful tool and an essential way to sustain life. But despite an elite family history, a phenom for an older sister, a best friend who is set to join the Council of Callers, and his mother's steely insistence that he learn to Call, Quin doesn't have the gift—an embarrassment made worse when his mother gets his sister to cheat for him on his Calling exam. But everything changes in a moment of frustration when Quin, instead of summoning an object, makes something disappear. And what's more, he quickly discovers that the objects Callers bring into their world aren't conjured at all but are whisked away from another world and a people who for years have had their lives slowly stolen from them. Now Quin must team up with Allie, a girl who's determined to stop this unfair practice, and decide whether he should remain loyal to his family or betray them—and save the world.

In a story that explores some of the most crucial topics of our time—our relationship to consumerism, the exploitation of natural resources, colonialism, and the consequences of wanting more than we need—magic is sought, and truth is found.

THOUGHT-PROVOKING FANTASY: With its lush landscapes, towering metropolises, and hint of futurism, the distinctive look and feel of this world is familiar and strange in all the right ways.

RICH THEMES: This book explores complex topics—taking what you want versus what you need, colonialism, coming of age, and what different worlds owe each other in light of their common humanity. It takes a deep, thoughtful look at essential issues and, in doing so, takes after some of the best works the fantasy genre has to offer.

PAGE-TURNER: This perfectly paced page-turner of a book by debut author Kiah Thomas will be a joy for middle grade readers who love immersive adventure and fantasy stories.

Perfect for: Middle grade readers, Fantasy fans, Educators and librarians