
Written by Andrew Clements · Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
A boy's secret maps are stolen, leading to unexpected challenges.
Alton Barnes, a sixth-grader with a passion for maps, faces a dilemma when his secret maps are stolen. These maps reveal his true thoughts about friends and teachers. As mysterious notes demand his compliance, Alton must navigate this uncharted territory with the help of a popular classmate. Can he retrieve his maps before his secrets are exposed, or will his cartographic skills lead him to unexpected discoveries? The stakes are high, and the journey is anything but straightforward.
This map-tastic middle grade story from Andrew Clements gives the phrase “uncharted territory” a whole new meaning! Alton Barnes loves maps. He’s loved them ever since he was little, and not just for the geography. Because maps contain more information than just locations, and that’s why he likes to draw them as well as read them. Regular “point A to point B” ones, sure, but also maps that explain a whole lot more–like what he really thinks about his friends. And teachers. Even the principal. So when Alton’s maps are stolen from his locker, there’s serious trouble on the horizon…and he’ll need some serious cartographic skills to escape it. From “a genius of gentle, high-concept tales set in suburban middle schools” (The New York Times), this stand-alone story is off the charts.
5.5
out of 7
“Fun Clements story. Love the originality of the protagonist and his interest in maps.”
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