Christina Soontornvat presents a fantasy-imbued story of adventure, featuring a well-written main character. In the book, Sai, the protagonist, finds herself wishing for travel and escape. Sai has a particular talent as a mapmaker that leads to an open door to a wider world.
Young readers will likely gravitate to both the otherworldly elements, which reflect real life back, as well as the inward and outward journey that Sai takes. Soontornvat's prose, written from the first person, takes the audience on this adventure alongside the characters, across new places and rediscoveries of life and self.
The Last Mapmaker is inviting, enjoyable, and a book I would gladly recommend for upper elementary and beyond.