“In this vibrant story about the power of the printed word and the strength of found families
every page is bursting with life and detail.” —Ethan Aldridge creator of the bestselling
Estranged “Fabulous!” —Dan Santat award-winning author of A First Time for Everything
“Glorious! This empowering read is absolutely unforgettable.” —Ellen Oh acclaimed author of
Finding Junie Kim Every secret is a story waiting to happen. From New York Times bestselling
author Marieke Nijkamp and illustrator Sylvia Bi this debut middle grade graphic novel
celebrates the power that everyone—even those often overlooked—has to create change. In a
vibrant city two girls from very different walks of life join forces to fight censorship and
protect the people they love. Eleven-year-old Cinzia is a printer’s apprentice. She adores
Mestra Aronne for taking her in—most guilds don’t have room for apprentices with a crippled
leg—and she loves life in the raggedy workshop that smells of paper and printing where secrets
and stories are always circulating. So when Mestra Aronne is imprisoned for publishing
accusations against the ruling family Cinzia will do anything to prove that Mestra Aronne only
told the truth. Elena is the exact same age as Cinzia but she’s forced to keep to her rooms
and garden. To protect her according to her mother. To protect the city according to her
uncle. Because Elena is not the charming powerful noble her family wants her to be. According
to them she doesn’t communicate well. She’s too gullible and literal and struggles to
understand other people. After unexpectedly meeting face-to-face the girls follow a trail of
clues through their golden city drawing supporters and learning more about their home and each
other than they ever could have imagined. If one person—no matter how young—can change the
course of history just imagine what a whole flock of them could do. Bestselling author Marieke
Nijkamp and debut illustrator Sylvia Bi have crafted an indelible vibrant story about finding
and using your voice perfect for fans of Lightfall Tidesong and The Prince and the
Dressmaker.
