Mananaland (Scholastic Gold)

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

Newbery Honoree Pam Muñoz Ryan weaves an entrancing tale of courage and self-discovery."Uniquely magical...Timely and timeless." -- New York Times* "This tightly packed, powerful fantasy contains resonant truths." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Another unforgettable work from a master storyteller." -- Booklist, starred review* "Richly tiered... wrenchingly real...compelling." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"A gem of a story with timely messages." -- School Library Journal"Rich and relevant." -- The Horn Book"A luminous embodiment of hope." -- Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor-winning author of One Crazy Summer and Clayton Byrd Goes Underground"Mañanaland is that rare gift of a book." -- Francisco X. Stork, award-winning author of DisappearedMaximiliano Córdoba loves stories, especially the legend Buelo tells him about a mythical gatekeeper who can guide brave travelers on a journey into tomorrow.If Max could see tomorrow, he would know if he'd make Santa Maria's celebrated fútbol team and whether he'd ever meet his mother, who disappeared when he was a baby. He longs to know more about her, but Papá won't talk. So when Max uncovers a buried family secret--involving an underground network of guardians who lead people fleeing a neighboring country to safety--he decides to seek answers on his own.With a treasured compass, a mysterious stone rubbing, and Buelo's legend as his only guides, he sets out on a perilous quest to discover if he is true of heart and what the future holds.This timeless tale of struggle, hope, and the search for tomorrow has much to offer today about compassion and our shared humanity.

About the Author

Pam Muñoz Ryan is the recipient of the Newbery Honor Medal and the Kirkus Prize for her New York Times bestselling novel, Echo, as well as the NEA's Human and Civil Rights Award and the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for multicultural literature for her body of work. Her celebrated novels, Echo, Esperanza Rising, The Dreamer, Riding Freedom, Becoming Naomi Léon, and Paint the Wind, have received countless accolades, among them two Pura Belpré Awards, a NAPPA Gold Award, a Jane Addams Children's Book Award, and two Américas Awards. Her acclaimed picture books include Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride and When Marian Sang, both illustrated by Brian Selznick, and Tony Baloney, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, as well as a beginning reader series featuring Tony Baloney. Ryan lives near San Diego, California, with her family.