Across the Line

Ewan, Zane, and Ganix-three half-brothers take sibling rivalry to new lengths as they race each other across their homeland.

Magic isn't the only legacy Mr. Ian Johns wants for his bickering sons. The Postmaster hoped the boys would bond during a family trip, but they twist his vacation plans into a race. Ewan, Zane, and Ganix soon find themselves far from home, facing choices that are far from easy. Three routes stretch from coast to coast. The rules: each brother-and his two companions-must check in at post offices along their route. At these waypoints, they stamp in with their personal seal and report their progress by postcard.

Ganix Johns sails into his next waypoint, ready for more fun. Until he makes the startling discovery that not everyone in Liberty is free. Ganix didn't think he needed permanent teammates, but then he meets someone who needs him. Hurlock is a magician with chains on his ankles, and his wife Galena is about to be sold. In scheming to set them free, Ganix stumbles onto a secret society … and straight into trouble.

Welcome to Liberty: Big cities and hill-country outposts thrive on busy byways, but people are scarce in the Wilds, where mythical creatures are alive and well. Folks commonly use lanterns to light their homes, and peace is kept by rangers on horseback. In the Byways books, readers will encounter dragons, griffins, river monsters, and rogue magicians.

Magic is a rare trait that runs in families. Some magical gifts are quite useful; others are downright quirky. Like the talent inherited by members of the Johns family. They're Changers who can take the form of an animal. Not that magic will make winning the race any easier for Ewan, Zane, and Ganix.

Educational Twist: Each of the Byways books is tied to one of the fifty states and borrows from its history and geography-icons, mottos, landmarks, people, places, and famous firsts. They're hidden throughout the story, turning the series into one long game of hide-and-seek. At the end of each Byways book, there's a master list that covers everything from the state tree to the state insect. Nicknames, sports teams, state heroes, and national parks also find their way into the story. States are covered in order of ratification. Across the Line takes its cues from "The Old Line State," Maryland.

Chart your course to CJMilbrandt.com, where readers can stamp into the Waypoint Log and take part in a very special Hometown Challenge.

Excerpt:

While Ganix watched, purple fire bloomed in the magician's bare hands, and he sent it whirling over his head. The flames turned into a dragon that twisted through the air. Shoppers stopped to stare. Some clapped. And a few tossed coins into a basket at the edge of the stage. Hurlock thanked them with a gentle smile.

"Sad? He's amazing!"

"He is. But purple fire means a sad day for Hurlock. Can you see his feet?"

Standing up to get a better look, Ganix asked, "Are those chains?"

"Yes. Hurlock is a slave." Luke gave the reins a flip, and they rolled on.

Ganix sat down hard. "I thought everyone in Liberty was free.&rd