The Emerald Atlas facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | John Stephens |
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| Illustrator | Grady McFerrin |
| Cover artist | Jon Foster Grady McFerrin |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
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Publication date
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April 5, 2011 |
| Pages | 417 |
| ISBN | 978-0-375-86870-2 |
| Followed by | The Fire Chronicle |
The Emerald Atlas is an exciting fantasy novel for young readers. It's the first book in The Books of Beginning series by John Stephens. The story is about three orphan siblings: Kate, Michael, and Emma. They have lived in many different orphanages. One day, they are sent to a mysterious mansion.
This mansion belongs to Dr. Pym. There, they find a magical book. This special book lets them travel through time! They soon discover a powerful witch. She has taken over a town called Cambridge Falls. The witch wants the magical book the children found. The siblings meet many magical creatures. They try to stop the witch. Kate learns that she is connected to the book. The children are part of an old prophecy.
The Amazing Story of the Atlas
Kate, Emma, and Michael are siblings. They have moved from one orphanage to another. Kate is the oldest. She remembers a promise her mother made. Ten years ago, on Christmas Eve, her mother promised they would be reunited. She also made Kate promise to protect her younger siblings.
A New Home and a Magical Discovery
After being rejected by a family, the children are sent to a new place. It's called the Edgar Allan Poe Home for Incorrigible and Hopeless Orphans. From there, they are moved to a large mansion. This mansion is in a place called Cambridge Falls. They meet the owner, Dr. Stanislaus Pym.
The children start exploring the huge house. In the basement, a secret door suddenly appears. Behind it, they find a special book. It's emerald-colored and has no words inside. When they touch an old photo to a page, something amazing happens. The book sends them back in time! They go to the exact place and time the photo was taken.
Meeting the Countess and a Dangerous Escape
In the past, the children see a powerful witch. She is known as the Countess. She threatens to harm a child every week. She wants the enslaved fathers of the town to find something for her. The Countess notices the three orphans. She calls her scary helpers, called Screechers, to catch them.
Kate and Emma manage to escape. But Michael is accidentally left behind! His sisters bravely go back to save him. In the rush, they lose the magical book. This book is the famous 'Emerald Atlas'. As they escape, wolves hunt them. They meet a helpful person named Gabriel. They also enter a secret underground maze.
Captured by Dwarves and a Time Jump
Inside the maze, Kate and Michael are captured by Dwarves. There, they find a younger Dr. Pym. He is fifteen years younger than they know him! Together, they get the Emerald Atlas back. When Kate touches it, she is pulled into an even earlier time. She meets Dr. Pym again. Then, she returns to the time she just left.
Meanwhile, Emma stays with Gabriel. They work together to fight off the Countess's followers. Emma gets shot with a poisonous arrow. But Gabriel's wise friend, Granny Peet, saves her. Once Emma is healed, she and Granny Peet convince the townsfolk to fight the Countess.
The Final Battle and a Shocking Truth
After a big victory, the witch herself is still a threat. She holds the town's children captive on a boat. Kate has now been 'chosen' by the Atlas. She can travel to any time while holding it. To save the local children, Kate gives the book to the Countess.
The Countess takes the book. But her master, the Dire Magnus, punishes her. He reveals a huge secret. Kate and her siblings are the true owners of the Atlas! They also own two other special books. These are the "Books of Beginning." The Dire Magnus plans to claim them once an ancient prophecy is complete.
Returning Home and a New Mission
Dr. Pym saves some of the local children. Kate saves others. Kate and her siblings return to their own time. There, the Countess approaches Kate again. Using the Atlas, Kate pulls the Countess into the past. She sends her to Rhakotis during its conquest by Alexander the Great.
The Countess begs Kate for help. She tells Kate that her mother and father are prisoners of the Dire Magnus. They are bait to make the siblings find the Books of Beginning. These three books control reality. The Atlas is the first one. If the children find them, their parents will be freed. Kate leaves the Countess in Rhakotis. She returns to her own time. Dr. Pym then explains more about the powerful Books of Beginning.
Meet the Characters
Here are some of the main characters you'll meet in The Emerald Atlas:
Kate
Kate is the oldest of the three main characters. She is the rightful owner of the Emerald Atlas. This special book lets her travel through time and space. Kate is the only sibling who truly remembers her mother and father. Her mother gave her a heart-shaped locket before they disappeared ten years ago.
Michael
Michael is the second oldest sibling. His father gave him a book about dwarfs when he was young. It was called The Dwarf Omnibus by G. G. Greenleaf. Since then, Michael has loved learning about dwarfs. He also has a funny habit: his glasses always seem to end up in the toilet!
Emma
Emma is the youngest of the siblings. She is very strong-willed and can get angry quickly. Her orphanage file says she has been in 23 fights with other children. And she has won every single one!
The Countess
The Countess is an evil witch. She works for the Dire Magnus. She held the children of Cambridge Falls hostage. She wanted their fathers to help her find the Books of Beginning. But the fathers had actually been turned into monsters called Shriekers. Kate later sends the Countess into the distant past.
The Dire Magnus
The Dire Magnus is the main bad guy in the story. He is searching for the powerful Books of Beginning.
Dr. Stanislaus Pym
Dr. Pym is a wizard. He knew Kate, Michael, and Emma's parents. He told them to go into hiding. He helps the children learn about the Books of Beginning. He also teaches them how to use their amazing powers.
Gabriel
Gabriel becomes Emma's good friend. He helps the children on their dangerous journey.
