Book Review: The Last Mapmaker

 


1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Soontornvat, C. (2022). The last mapmaker. Candlewick Press.  ISBN: 978-1536204957

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

In a fantasy adventure every bit as compelling and confident in its world building as her Newbery Honor Book A Wish in the Dark, Christina Soontornvat explores a young woman’s struggle to unburden herself of the past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. As assistant to Mangkon’s most celebrated mapmaker, 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. Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas, but she isn’t the only one aboard with secrets. When Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands—a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining—she must weigh the cost of her dreams. Vivid, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, this tale of identity and integrity is as beautiful and intricate as the maps of old.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book was fantastic! It was full of twists and turns, and when you think you have a character figured out, something happens.  Each of the characters, starting with Sai, is very well developed. As readers get to know Sai, they are able to relate to her and her secret past. Another aspect of this book I enjoyed was the life lessons readers learn as they read. This book also explores the theme of self-identity, which will help engage young readers.

Thinking about cultural relevance, there is mention of royalty and expeditions to uncharted waters aboard “Prosperity.” The cover of this book is true to the Thai culture. From the skin tones used to illustrate Sai, to her attire and her facial features and expressions. The cover also has a dragon on it that could represent Sai’s maturity.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

- A Newbery Honor Book

- A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book

Starred review in Kirkus: "Exploits on the high seas and complex characters combine in a tale full of both excitement and heart. An engrossing adventure with the feeling of a whole world to be explored."

Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly:  "Soontornvat deftly discusses themes of colonization and 'discovery,'. . . Employing a presumed Asian cast of well-developed crew members with various skin tones and plenty of emotional depth, this high seas adventure deftly explores complex power dynamics and class hierarchies while maintaining a fast-paced clip."

5. CONNECTIONS

* Engage students in writing a journal entry from Sai’s perspective expressing her thoughts and feels about some of the different events from the story.

* Engage students in a writing activity where they rewrite the story’s ending. Have them share their alternate ending with the class.

* Other books written by Christina Soontornvat

Soontornvat, C., Cacao, J., & Lafrenais, A. (2022). The tryout. Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic.

 

ISBN: 978-1338741261

 

Soontornvat, C., Cacao, J., Dzioba, W., & Post, J. (2024). The Squad. Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

ISBN: 978-1338741315

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