The Emerald Atlas

Stephens, John. The Emerald Atlas. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.

Michael and Emma can't remember their parents, and their older sister, Kate, barely remembers them.  All she knows is that she promised her mother to keep her siblings together.  When they are sent to a final orphanage and transported into the past, Kate finds this promise to be difficult to keep.  Will she be able to look after her brother and sister, rescue the other captured children, and hold on to this mysterious book everyone is searching for?

This book has two things every child likes to read about: orphans and magical worlds.  Part Narnia, part Lord of the Rings, part Unfortunate Events, this was a fun read.  I now understand why I was the 34th person on the waiting list at the library.  This one is definitely worth the wait, folks - stop by your library and add your name to the list today.