Jaleigh Johnson’s first book for middle-grade readers is the story of a mysterious girl, a magical world, a dangerous journey, and the true meaning of friendship and family.
Fantasy continues to reign supreme in the children’s literary world, and debut author Jaleigh Johnson brings the genre to life for tween readers with THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY (Delacorte Books for Young Readers / On Sale March 25, 2014 / Ages 10 up), a thrilling adventure story with the feel of a timeless classic.
In the scrap towns, a day’s pay depends on what you find in the Meteor Fields. Storms rain down objects from other lands, and ever since Piper’s father died, scavenging is the only way for her to survive. Until the day she strikes gold. Unconscious, lying in the fields amid the rubble, is a girl. She’s beautiful and well-dressed . . . and has a dragonfly tattooed on her wrist. The mark of the dragonfly means the girl is from the Dragonfly Territories. If Piper can get her back there, she might get a reward and be able to start a new life.
The 401 train is the safest way to get to the Dragonfly Territories, but Piper will have to sneak aboard, and convincing the girl to join her seems unlikely—until there’s a knock on Piper’s door and she learns that the girl is more valuable than she could ever have imagined. There are people who want her back, and they won’t stop until they have her. Piper wants a new life, but running for it isn’t how she thought she’d get there. And the race to the Dragonfly Territories looks like it might be impossible to finish alive.
With a cast of characters who stand up and walk off the page, THE MARK OF THE DRAGONFLY has an action-packed plot, a page-turning pace, and a vivid, unique setting that will charm girls and boys who want to escape into another world.
Praise for The Mark of the Dragonfly
✭“Johnson’s narrative is marked by colloquial language and blends societal decay with a sense of burgeoning technological innovation . . . 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. . . .
A well-imagined world of veritable adventure.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred
About the Author
JALEIGH JOHNSON is a lifelong reader, gamer, and moviegoer. She loves nothing better than to escape into fictional worlds and take part in fantastic adventures. She lives and writes in the wilds of the Midwest, but you can visit her online at www.jaleighjohnson.com or on Twitter @JaleighJohnson.
