An adorable start to a beautiful story.

Alidade stumbles upon a secret doorway in the woods that leads to a magical hideaway for the Mapmakers. But the Mapmakers are all gone now and can't keep the peace in the Valley. Alidade finds a map of her home in the lodge and accidentally brings Blue, a memri meant to protect the Valley, to life. Blue needs help saving the Valley from the Night Coats (overlords). And maybe Alidade isn't meant to just leave the Valley, but rather to save it as a Mapmaker.


This was such a gem of a graphic novel. The art work was pleasant and shown in a style that felt very warm. The story kept me very interested, even though this is a middle grade level graphic novel. It provides such a wholesome message about both the environment and how going against the grain can be important for societal progress.

An adorable start to a beautiful story.

Alidade stumbles upon a secret doorway in the woods that leads to a magical hideaway for the Mapmakers. But the Mapmakers are all gone now and can't keep the peace in the Valley. Alidade finds a map of her home in the lodge and accidentally brings Blue, a memri meant to protect the Valley, to life. Blue needs help saving the Valley from the Night Coats (overlords). And maybe Alidade isn't meant to just leave the Valley, but rather to save it as a Mapmaker.

This book was a lot of fun! Alidade, Lewis, and Blue are all very realistic (although obviously Blue is also a magical creature, so maybe it's hard to say anything about him). We get to see them being brave and trying to save there home. I enjoyed seeing the villagers and how they might behave under the rule of powerful overlords. The illustrations are also beautiful.

I think this series is going to be really good and I look forward to seeing the next volume be released. This book was a lot about set up and world-building, but it was still fun to read.

Middle grade students will enjoy this novel. I read it alongside my 9 year old and while the story is not as complex as some, nor is the magic system elaborated on, there is a lot of room for joy, good friends and family, and the desire to make things right.

It's a sweet cute book about doing the right thing, even if it's against the rules. About thinking for yourself and about looking forward instead of putting your head down and drudging along.

These are all great lessons - whether you are 8 or 80!

Middle graders will love the mystery, enchanting mythology, and curious characters within Mapmakers and the Lost Magic!

Just started and finished reading this amazing middle grade graphic novel “Mapmakers and the lost magic” by Cameron Chittock and illustrated by Amanda Castillo.

The basic story is in a dystopian time, people are kept in their place by the Night Coats, who make sure they stay in their town, and do not stray. There is no outside world, and once they realize that, the better.

But Alidad wants to leave the valley, and so despite being punished for going outside of the town limits, she insists on doing it again, as she saw a door in a tree, and feels she needs to explore. That that is how she comes to find a memri, who used to protect the valley.

Sweet cute book, about working hard, and thinking, and not giving up.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is something I would have loved in 4th grade. The conflict is not the deepest, and the magic system is not explained very much, but honestly I don’t really expect the most complex story ever from a middle grade graphic novel. The art style is adorable and I had a fun time reading this. I'm choosing to give the star rating I would if I had read this at 10, instead of at 19.

This was such a lovely book!! I really like the main character and the focus on mapmaking. So cool. I really liked the drawing style too.

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Mapmakers and the Lost Magic is a fantasy-laden visual story. I enjoyed the character designs, art, and creative story elements. Well worth sharing with students.

Middle school aimed, but at the young end of that I’d say. Older might find the story too simplistic. The villains are villainous, the heroine is plucky, her friend and her neighbors are sympathetic. There’s not a lot of nuance in the story though things being bad because the villains have screwed up the environment is a solid if simple story for a kids book. Solidly enjoyable read.

An interesting story about a lost river in the town of Alden, where two kids' persistence and adventurousness work to find a new balance in a town run by the strict Night Coats. Alidade and Lewis find a mysterious creature who guides them in the skills of the Mapmakers as they set out to save the town.

The illustrations are beautiful, though a bit more muted in color than I had expected from the cover. The story was accessible and interesting, and definitely appropriate for middle grades readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Mapmakers and the Lost Magic is book one in a graphic novel series by Cameron Chittock and Amanda Castillo. The story follows Alidade and her best friend Lewis as they travel beyond the boundary of their small town. Their town is under the control of an organization called the Night Coats. Alidade and Lewis are constantly getting caught breaking rules set forth by the Night Coats and when they catch the pair they let the entire town know this is the final warning. Unbeknownst to Lewis, Alidade found a mysterious doorknob on a tree when they were trying to flee. She sneaks out later that knight to find out that the tree is actually a lodge hidden in plain sight. And thus our journey begins....

This was such a gem of a graphic novel. The art work was pleasant and shown in a style that felt very warm. The story kept me very interested, even though this is a middle grade level graphic novel. It provides such a wholesome message about both the environment and how going against the grain can be important for societal progress. The pacing was honestly perfect, which was a wonderful surprise. Normally graphic novels are either lightening fast or painfully drug out, but not this one. I was especially thrilled to see that not only is there going to potentially be a sequel, but there's also extras at the end! The inclusion of a recipe, drawing tutorial, and quilting tips were such an unexpected surprise!

Mapmakers and the Lost Magic was overall a very charming graphic novel and I will be preordering it for sure! Here's hoping for a sequel!

A review will also be added to my Goodreads today, 3/9. A post with the review will be made on my instagram on 3/17 and a mini review will be added to my Instagram story tonight, 3/9 and then archived in my Mini Review highlight for the remainder of the year.

Middle grade fantasy graphic for kids who like adventure. Alidade is spunky and a go-getter, itching to break out of her small town to see the wider world. Her sidekick and best friend Lewis is happy hanging out with the quilter's club and is a responsible dude. Alidade accidentally discovers a magical doorknob in the forest that leads to the old Mapmakers Lodge, where she sets free a Memri named Blue whose job is to protect the village from people like the Night Coats. But before Blue can help restore the village to its former glory, Alidade must uncover a secret about the town's history.

Despite the serious-sounding summary, this book is upbeat and lighthearted. Blue's disgruntled nature at the beginning was probably my favorite part. I did like the overall book but thought some aspects remained unexplained or were unnecessary. For example, the truth of what happened to Alidade's dad is mentioned several times but never explained. Considering his death/absence play a key role in her desire to leave the town, I feel like that should have been fleshed out more. Also, the theme of Alidade and Lewis working in the pit seemed pointless to the overall plot. I can see how it was used to introduce the mosquitoes and build tension between them and the Night Coats, but I can also see kids abandoning this book during this boring pit-cleaning part.

The magic of this world was more explained in the official summary than the actual book. The reader is not given an explanation about the world's magic. I think it would have been simpler if the concept of a Memri was taken out and Blue was just explained as a protector who loved this piece of land. We also have no idea about the previous Mapmakers and how they protected the land or why they were important. I think a flashback scene at the beginning would have been helpful for that.

Adventure, mapmaking, and secrets all come together in this fantastic story about one girl who dreams about more. In a town that resides in the Valley, Mapmakers have vanished and so have their magic, now the town is ruled by the Night Coats who heavily enforce rules and do not want the old magic to come back or for the people to leave. Alidade dreams about leaving her town and seeing the world, but unfortunately for her she keeps getting in trouble with the Night Coats, and on one particularly occasion while running away she finds a magical door in the woods that leads her to the hideaway that belongs to the Mapmakers. She accidentally brings to life Blue, a magical creature that was meant to protect the Valley but has been forgotten. Now Alidade must decide if she wants to remain low or finally seize the magic that is in front of her and change her town. This was a fun read and the artwork was nice. I look forward to where the story continues!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Random House Graphic for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley.)

Alidade Rose lives in the small town of Alden, where the main source of jobs is the brick pit, and the Night Coats rule with an iron fist. Though they claim to keep the residents of Alden safe from outsiders, once upon a time all the communities lived in harmony - both with each other and with nature - with a little help from magical creatures called Memri.

Brought to life by the Mapmakers, the Memri guided humans; they served as "protectors of the land and peace." When the last of the Mapmakers were vanquished from the valley by the Night Coats, so too went the Memri. That is, until rebellious Alidade stumbles upon the Mapmaker's Lodge while wandering outside the boundaries of Alden. She frees Blue, the last remaining Memri, from a woefully out of date map - and embarks on an adventure to train as a Mapmaker and return the Memri to the valley.

MAPMAKERS AND THE LOST MAGIC is an enchanted, environmentally-friendly tale to delight readers of all ages. Alidade is a scrappy heroine, and I love her relationship with bestie Lewis. But the most memorable character by far is dear Blue, cranky and cantankerous, formidable even in his diminished pigeon form, and entirely fed up with humans.

A girl with wanderlust, a boy with deep roots, an a magical bird calling itself a Memri must learn the lore of the mapmakers that have been wiped from their village by a creepy group of dudes in dark coats who seek to the keep the secrets for themselves. A promising start!

This was such a lovely and enjoyable story! I loved the art so much. I adored the character growth of Alidade and everyone in the valley. The concept of the mapmakers and their magic was so fascinating. Blue's initial disdain for the humans was so relatable and I loved seeing Blue soften towards Alidade as she does everything she can to become a mapmaker and save the valley. I've already got a few copies on order and can't wait to gush about this book when it comes out!

I completely loved the plot and characters of Mapmakers and the Lost Magic. The world building in this graphic novel was beautiful. The beginning set up the story so well and it progressed smoothly the rest of the way. A story of a lost magic being rebuilt by a determined rebel girl is definitely a story many people will like.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this book. Beautiful colors, lovely illustrations, and nice characters provide a sense of adventure, exploration, and self-discovery with a touch of magic. It would have been nice to learn how the villagers ended up working for the Night Coats.

The start of a really compelling new fantasy series. I am looking forward to future volumes in this tale!

Delightful colors and cute characters. Gives the sense of adventure and finding one's own place in the world. Felt like there could be more explanation of what happened to the valley and why they're all stuck working for the Night Coats. Alidade and Lewis are fun characters and each have their own personality, even if it's a stereotypical personality (rebel adventure vs. village homebody). As much as I enjoyed this, I'm not sure it will appeal to a lot of middle schoolers. There's some great imagery, but the story doesn't grip you. It is only an introduction though, so maybe book two gets better.