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She has only seen the world through maps. She had no idea they were so dangerous.

Boston, 1891. Sophia Tims comes from a family of explorers and cartologers who, for generations, have been traveling and mapping the New World—a world changed by the Great Disruption of 1799, when all the continents were flung into different time periods. Eight years ago, her parents left her with her uncle Shadrack, the foremost cartologer in Boston, and went on an urgent mission. They never returned. Life with her brilliant, absent-minded, adored uncle has taught Sophia to take care of herself.

Then Shadrack is kidnapped. And Sophia, who has rarely been outside of Boston, is the only one who can search for him. Together with Theo, a refugee from the West, she travels over rough terrain and uncharted ocean, encounters pirates and traders, and relies on a combination of Shadrack’s maps, common sense, and her own slantwise powers of observation. But even as Sophia and Theo try to save Shadrack’s life, they are in danger of losing their own.

The Glass Sentence plunges readers into a time and place they will not want to leave, and introduces them to a heroine and hero they will take to their hearts. It is a remarkable debut.

5 Reasons to Read The Glass Sentence by S.E. Grove


Heather says:

"Not since I read the first Harry Potter book many moons ago have I been so in awe of an authors' creativity. How does she think of these wonderful things? The Glass Sentence is the story of a world in which there has been a "Great Disruption," and the face of the Earth has been left existing in many different eras, from prehistoric times all the way to eras of the distant future. Borders and governments existing prior to the disruption have mostly disappeared, and been recreated, and in the city of Boston in the country of New Occident, being an explorer and cartologer (map maker and reader) are highly revered professions.

Sophia, the intelligent, thoughtful, brave girl at the center of the story, whose parents went exploring many years ago, never to return, now lives with her uncle, an acclaimed cartologer and historian. When her uncle is kidnapped, Sophia must journey to the distant land of the Triple Eras on a quest to find him, and ultimately discover a great deal about herself and what the Fates may have in store for her. Along the way, she encounters and array of vivid characters -- polite Pirates, an eccentric botanist, an orphan boy with a gallant heart and many secrets, a terrifying lost soul -- each with a vital role in her adventure.

The Glass Sentence is the first in a trilogy, and while this first installment has a satisfying end to the story, it left me eagerly awaiting the stories to come!"

 Every now and then we encounter a new children's book or series that we’re so excited about we want to broadcast it from the rooftop. We've created the Kids' TC VIB (very impressive book) to highlight real stand-outs among the many delightful and meaningful new editions for young readers.