The Callers: Book 1 by Kiah Thomas

Now in paperback! A riveting middle-grade novel that explores the amazing power of summoning objects into being that will capture fantasy and sci-fi lovers alike. Arresting, fast-paced, and thought-provoking, The Callers turns familiar magic upside down and inside out and is perfect for fans of Kenneth Oppel and Madeleine L'Engle. 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; they're 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. SERIES PRAISE: This Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) nominee received glowing praise, including a blurb from Printz-Honor-winning author Garret Weyr, who called it “beautifully told and engaging and just thrilling.”   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 Kiah Thomas will be a joy for middle grade readers who love immersive adventure and fantasy stories.   Perfect for:  * Teachers and librarians * Middle-grade fantasy and sci-fi readers * Fans of Jeanne DuPrau’s The City of Ember, Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, or Lois Lowry’s The Giver * Anyone interested in books with environmental themes