A Newbery Honor winner, this fantasy adventure follows a courageous young apprentice on the journey of a lifetime. As assistant to the most celebrated mapmaker in the kingdom of Mangkon, twelve year old Sai plays the part of a well-bred young lady with a glittering future. In reality, her father is a conman, and, in a kingdom where the status of one’s ancestors dictates their social position, the truth could ruin her. In an attempt to improve her lot, Sai seizes the chance to accompany her mentor on an expedition to chart the southern seas. As she begins to realize that she is not the only one aboard who is hiding secrets, Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands, a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagination. As she strives to uncover the motives of her mentor, the captain, and others on the ship, Sai struggles to focus on her commitment to free herself from the binds of her past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. A dazzling fantasy adventure that will keep readers turning the pages way past bedtime!