MapMaker by Lisa Moore Ramée
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 20, 2022
ISBN: 0063039427
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Walt is bored after his family moves from Los Angeles to Blackbird Bay. To cope, he relies on a hobby he has enjoyed his whole life- drawing maps. Things go from boring to really interesting when Walt realizes that something he drew on his map at home now exists in real life. He soon learns that he is a Mapmaker and can create other worlds. He, his athletic twin sister Van, and their new friend Dylan, are magically transported to Djaruba, Walt’s favorite world. As they explore Djaruba they encounter threatening underwater creatures, vicious bat-like vultures, and an active volcano. They also befriend a boy with a pet dragon who helps them out of some scary situations, but Fenn has his own motives and might not be as helpful as he first seems. Walt also confronts another mapmaker who has already destroyed eleven worlds and is threatening to destroy more, including Earth. This middle grade novel is full of action and adventure and would be perfect for any fantasy lover. In addition, Walt and his family are black and this book touches a little on racism as well as gender stereotypes.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library