The Rithmatist (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780765320322)

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson: his debut novel for the young adult audience

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity's only defense against the Wild Chalklings--merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing--kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery--one that will change Rithmatics--and their world--forever.

Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings his unique brand of epic storytelling to the teen audience with an engrossing tale of danger and suspense--the first of a series. With his trademark skills in world-building, Sanderson has created a magic system that is so inventive and detailed that that readers who appreciate games of strategy and tactics just may want to bring Rithmatics to life in our world.

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2013 A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2013

Author: Brandon Sanderson
ISBN-10: 0765320320
ISBN-13: 9780765320322
Publisher: Tor Teen
Language: English
Published: 05/14/2013
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.28lbs
Size: 9.52h x 6.44w x 1.25d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.9
Point Value: 13
Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus
Quiz #/Name: 159269 / Rithmatist

Award: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award - Nominee
Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Nominee
Award: Charlotte Award - Nominee
Award: Kentucky Bluegrass Award - Nominee
Award: Texas Lone Star Reading List - Commended
Award: Tayshas Reading - Commended
Award: Sequoyah Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Cybils - Finalist

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 03/25/2013
Romantic Times 05/01/2013 pg. 71 - Excellent
Kirkus Reviews 05/01/2013
New York Times Book Review 05/12/2013 pg. 19
Booklist 05/15/2013 pg. 64
New York Times Book Review 05/19/2013 pg. 26
Kirkus Bea Big Book Guide 05/15/2013 pg. 73
School Library Journal 07/01/2013 pg. 85
Voice of Youth Advocates 08/01/2013 - Recommended - Better Than Most
Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books 11/15/2013 pg. 83
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/08/2013 pg. 35
Asimov's Science Fiction 03/01/2014 pg. 109
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2014 pg. 125 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author
Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. He is the author of such bestsellers as the Mistborn(R) trilogy and its sequels, The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, and The Bands of Mourning; the Stormlight Archive novels The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance; and other novels, including The Rithmatist and Steelheart. In 2013, he won a Hugo Award for Best Novella for The Emperor's Soul, set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris. Additionally, he was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time(R) sequence. For behind-the-scenes information on all of Brandon Sanderson's books, visit brandonsanderson.com.