Orphans of the Tide

An ancient myth looms over a powerful new friendship in this debut middle grade fantasy packed with Hugo Cabret charm. The City is the only home that Ellie has ever known. She's always been told that there is nothing to see beyond the shores of her small, salty island. That is, until a mysterious boy washes in with the tide, trapped inside the belly of a whale. The citizens of the City believe he's ruled by the Enemy-the legendary god who drowned the whole world-come again to cause untold chaos. Only Ellie believes that the boy is innocent. To save him, Ellie must prove that he's not who they think he is-even if that means revealing her own dangerous secret. Fans of Wildwood and The Mysterious Benedict Society will be enthralled by this inventive and adventurous take on a modern classic.

Loyalties are tested in this sequel to “Orphans of the Tide,” a smart, unique middle grade read perfect for fans of “Wildwood” or “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.” Ellie and Seth know more than most people do about living amongst gods. Ellie, an inventor with a tragic past, was once forced to become the human Vessel for the most wicked god of all, the Enemy; Seth, a mysterious boy with no memories, has just discovered that he's actually a god himself. So, when they escape the City and all of its inhabitants who want them dead, they hope to find a new island, free of gods, to call home. Months on a homemade raft have stretched their patience with each other, but at last they spot land, and when they arrive, it seems like every bit the paradise they'd been dreaming of. But the tropical island has its secrets just as the City did, and Ellie and Seth are faced with impossible questions about who they can trust and who they can't, including each other.