{"product_id":"the-wayfinder-a-heartland-tale-9781629441368","title":"The Wayfinder: A Heartland Tale","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Wayfinder: A Heartland Tale - Fantasy Adventure for Middle Grade Readers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTamora Pierce meets Rick Riordian in this riveting fantasy that combines the intriguing abilities to Find what's missing with pulse-pounding suspense.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA Quest Into the Unknown\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great loss has frozen Win's heart. He cares for nothing. But when a deadly plague spreads like wildfire across the Heartland, Win must set aside his grief and embrace his unique Wayfinding abilities. His mission: descend into the great Rift to reach the Well of Life, whose waters alone can heal the plague ravaging his homeland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNo one has ever returned from a journey into the Rift. But the Heartland depends on him. Can Win put his loss behind him and fight for those who need him most?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePerfect for Fans of Tamora Pierce and Rick Riordan\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis middle grade fantasy delivers the magical abilities and world-building that Pierce fans love, combined with the fast-paced adventure and reluctant hero arc that Riordan readers crave. Win's Wayfinding powers—the ability to Find what's missing—create unique story possibilities as he navigates both his inner grief and the physical dangers of the Rift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThemes That Resonate\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Wayfinder explores coming-of-age themes through a fantasy lens, addressing grief, emotional growth, and finding purpose after loss. Win's hero's journey transforms him from a heartbroken boy who cares for nothing into someone willing to risk everything for his community. The story balances pulse-pounding adventure with meaningful character development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal for Ages 9-12\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its accessible writing style and page-turning plot, this book works perfectly for middle grade readers and reluctant readers who need engaging stories to maintain their interest. The fantasy elements provide escapism while the emotional themes offer substance that resonates with this age group's real-world experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarcy Pattison\u003c\/strong\u003e - Storyteller and writing teacher, Darcy Pattison has been a fan of fantastic literature since sixth grade when she read Lord of the Rings and Ender's Game. Even then, she wanted to be on the flip side of stories, on the side that creates what others read. Her books, published with Harcourt, Philomel\/Penguin, Harpercollins, Arbordale, and Mims House, have received recognition for excellence with starred reviews in Kirkus, BCCB and PW. The Nantucket Sea Monster: A Fake News Story is a Junior Library Guild selection and a National Council of Teachers of English 2018 Notable Children's Book in Language Arts. Four of her books have been named NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books: Desert Baths (2013), Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma (2015), Nefertiti, the Spidernaut (2017), and Clang! (2019). POLLEN: Darwin's 130-Year Prediction is a 2019 Junior Library Guild selection. Her stories have been translated into ten languages. She's the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor's Arts Award for Individual Artist.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mims House","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50681438306578,"sku":"9781629441368","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_3e39a528-0888-4248-bccc-0ec64854aee2.jpg?v=1733953398","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-wayfinder-a-heartland-tale-9781629441368","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}