Synopses & Reviews
Fans of
The City of Ember will love
The Mark of the Dragonfly, an adventure story set in a magical world that is both exciting and dangerous.
Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.
The girl doesn't remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she's from the Dragonfly Territories and that she's protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.
The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect — everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible.
Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.
Review
"This magnetic middle-grade debut...[is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal." Publishers Weekly, starred
Review
"Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum." Kirkus Reviews, starred
Review
"A fantastic and original tale of adventure and magic...Piper is a heroine to fall in love with: smart, brave, kind, and mechanically inclined to boot." School Library Journal, starred
Synopsis
For fans of Frozen, The City of Ember, and The School of Good and Evil, the New York Times bestseller The Mark of the Dragonfly is a fast-paced adventure story about a mysterious girl and a fearless boy, set in a magical world that is both exciting and dangerous.
Piper has never seen the Mark of the Dragonfly until she finds the girl amid the wreckage of a caravan in the Meteor Fields.
The girl doesn't remember a thing about her life, but the intricate tattoo on her arm is proof that she's from the Dragonfly Territories and that she's protected by the king. Which means a reward for Piper if she can get the girl home.
The one sure way to the Territories is the 401, a great old beauty of a train. But a ticket costs more coin than Piper could make in a year. And stowing away is a difficult prospect--everyone knows that getting past the peculiar green-eyed boy who stands guard is nearly impossible.
Life for Piper just turned dangerous. A little bit magical. And very exciting, if she can manage to survive the journey.
Praise for The Mark of the Dragonfly
This magnetic middle-grade debut is] a page-turner that defies easy categorization and ought to have broad appeal. Publishers Weekly, Starred
Heart, brains, and courage find a home in a steampunk fantasy worthy of a nod from Baum. -- Kirkus Reviews, Starred
A fantastic and original tale of adventure and magic...Piper is a heroine to fall in love with: smart, brave, kind, and mechanically inclined to boot. School Library Journal, Starred
A complex and impeccably developed plot there is plenty to recommend in this novel. The Bulletin
Appealing characters and lots of action make it a good choice for young adventure readers. Booklist"
Synopsis
Piper lives in a world where the veil into others is thin. Meteor storms rain down objects from other lands, which Piper and her neighbors gather and sell to the rich citizens of the Dragonfly territories. Scavenging these strange odds and ends is the only way to make money in the outer provinces.
Piper is good at gathering debris from the storms, but it's dangerous work. And one day, proof of just how dangerous is lying amongst the rubble of her carriage, unconscious.
The girl is beautiful and well dressed, and the dragonfly marking on her wrist confirms that she is the most valuable thing Piper's ever stumbled upon. But people don't leave valuables in the wastelands, so Piper decides to take her home.
It's who comes for the mysterious girl that begins a journey that will change both of their lives forever.
About the Author
Jaleigh Johnson is the author of three books for adults. The Mark of the Dragonfly is her first book for young readers. She lives outside of Chicago.