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Hunter has crafted a a thrilling adventure tale that stands ably among classic kids adventure tales by E Nesbit or Enid Blyton.

Sara Keating, The Irish Times (UK)

The Mapmakers’ Race

Five children have 28 days to find a route through the wilderness in this exciting mountain-race adventure for middle readers.

Written by Eirlys Hunter and illustrated by Kirsten Slade

Read the first chapter here

Available as an ebook wherever you buy your ebooks

ISBN: themapmakersrace Categories: , , , , , Tags: , , , ,
  • Description

    Description

    Four children temporarily lose their parents just as they are about to begin the race that offers their last chance of escaping poverty. Their task is to map a rail route through an uncharted wilderness.

    They overcome the many obstacles posed by nature—bears, bees, bats, river crossings, cliff falls, impossible weather—but can they survive the treachery of their competitors?

    This is a fast-paced and charming novel. Its children are brave and competent but not always right. Its world is magical enough to be intriguing but close enough to our own to keep the reader on firm ground.

    “What a great story! I gobbled it straight up” Children’s Bookshop Kilbirnie

  • Book Details

    Book Details

    Country of Origin New Zealand
    Reader Age 8-12 year
    Book Size
    ISBN
  • Media Reviews

    Reviews

    1. The Spinoff –

      You can never go wrong with Gecko, and further, this chapter book involves maps and steam trains and a parrot named Carrot.

    2. Volume Books –

      This is an enjoyable read-aloud or keep-to-yourself and will have some children reaching for ink and paper to become wondrous mapmakers, and others out in the wilderness, exploring and making tracks. Charming, exciting and just a little dangerous.

    3. Christmas shopping guide: the 20 best kids books of 2018 –

      A rollicking adventure through the wilderness as the Santander children take on the race that their temporarily MIA mapmaking mother was meant to be tackling. It’s a great read peppered with awesome illustrations.

    4. New Zealand Books, Summer 2018 –

      This is good old old-fashioned story-telling, a classic quest with challenges in every chapter, a well thought out narrative arc and plenty of in-jokes for all ages, ably supported with appealing illlustrations.

    5. Best 50 Kids Books 2018, The Listener (NZ) –

      This rip-roaring adventure about four kids and a parrot called Carrot is classic read-aloud fare.

    6. Booksellers (NZ) –

      This book takes you straight into adventure. As the train pulls away and their mother is left behind, Sal, Joe, Francie and Humphrey rush towards The Mapmaker’s Race alone…The illustrations compliment the text well and I found it a great read aloud with chapters of a comfortable length. I loved this book and would recommend to adventure lovers of all ages.

    7. Readings, Summer Reading Guide (AU) –

      The world of The Mapmakers’ Race is magical enough to be intriguing but close enough to our own to keep the reader on firm ground.

    8. Summer Reading Guide, Better Read Kids (AU) –

      I loved this tale of ingenuity, exploration and nature.

    9. The Listener (NZ) –

      Lost in transit: One Mother. Missing in action: One father. I’s a classic formula in children’s fiction – think Swallows and Amazons, The Famous Five.

    10. Books for Topics –

      This is an exciting adventure narrative with a real against-the-clock feel to it and a steam-age fantasy setting that fans of Vashti Hardy’s Brightstorm are likely to enjoy.

    11. Otago Daily Times –

      Hints of steampunk and magic. This sets it in good stead to entertain younger readers, and not seem too childish forothers. Strongly recommend.

    12. Dargaville Library Spring Carnival (NZ) –

      This is just the beginning of their obstacles that include bears, impossible weather and treacherous competitors. This is a rollicking ride that would make a great read aloud for the whole family. 9+

    13. Children’s Books Ireland (UK) –

      A thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable adventure full of setbacks and dangers and family squabbling, but also fun and laughter and the thrill of exploration and storytelling around campfires under the open stars.

    14. Bookwagon (UK) –

      It is truly refreshing to read an adventure story of such quality and originality, pace and punch. Bookwagon is proud to recommend ‘The Mapmakers’ Race’ to its readers.

    15. My LIttle Library in the Attic (UK) –

      This is a fast-paced and charming novel. Its children are brave and competent but not always right. Its world is magical enough to be intriguing but close enough to our own to keep the reader on firm ground.

    16. Public Books (US) –

      Like all of these Gecko titles, The Mapmakers’ Race is a thing of beauty.

    17. Poppies Bookshop New Plymouth –

      This is a fast-paced and charming novel. It’s children are brave and competent but not always right. It’s world is magical enough to be intriguing but close enough to our own to keep the reader on firm ground.

    18. Adele Jackson (Twitter) –

      Can’t stop reading this. What a treat The Mapmakers’ Race by Eirlys Hunter is.

    19. Booktrust (UK) –

      The Mapmakers’ Race already feels like a timeless adventure. Its roaring spirit and dashes of fantasy are sure to inspire many children to take on their own intrepid journeys, but for now they’ll be more than happy to live vicariously through the Santanders, each of whom have their own strengths, and whose bond is heartwarming.

    20. Sara Keating, The Irish Times –

      With Kirsten Slade’s illustrated maps guiding you through the chapters, Hunter has crafted a a thrilling adventure tale that stands ably among classic kids adventure tales by E Nesbit or Enid Blyton.

    21. Bob’s Book Blog (NZ) –

      A first class read-a-loud for primary children and for individual reading. It’s all about survival and having fun at the same time.

    22. The Book Bag –

      It’s a glorious adventure story which readers will happily lose themselves in.

    23. Minerva Reads –

      For those who love journeys… this is a good read with beautiful illustrations throughout.

    24. Jane Sandell (UK) –

      I galloped through this book, finding it difficult to leave and I am hopeful of a sequel. There is, it seems to me, unfinished business. I’d whole-heartedly recommend this book to children who like a good adventure and compelling storytelling.

    25. Kate De Goldi and Kim Hill, Radio New Zealand –

      “one of the most poised, stylish children’s books I’ve read in a long time … just an utter delight” Kate De Goldi, “I love this” Kim Hill.

    26. Radio New Zealand –

      I picked it up, and I started reading it, and I couldn’t stop reading it… I have to mention it because it’s a cracker.

    27. Richard Knowles from Rickaro Books –

      Full of danger, excitement and adventure with wonderfully memorable characters, this is one not to be missed.

    28. Marion, Unity Books –

      The Mapmakers Race is an exciting credible well-paced adventure story. Very clever chapter structure ensures great tension throughout the book.

      One of those now hard-to-find junior fiction novels that have no parents in the action.

      The kids individually and as a group are so credibly drawn, I loved them all, their strengths and weaknesses.

      Lots of great celebrations of food! Read it in 2 sittings.

Available worldwide from your local bookstore or online.

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