Eirlys Hunter is een schrijfster wier werk zowel kinder- als volwassen fictie omvat. Haar verhalen duiken in complexe relaties en de fijne kneepjes van de menselijke natuur. Als docente cultiveert ze de volgende generatie verhalenvertellers. Hunter's kenmerkende stem en haar diepgaande inzicht in personages bieden een meeslepende leeservaring.
"Sal, Joe, Francie and Humphrey Santander are mapmakers looking for their father, a famous explorer who disappeared on his last expedition. Their search takes them to Cruxcia, where the people are fighting to protect their land from the all-powerful Grania Trading Company. The Santanders' mapping skills may be the missing piece in the Cruxcian race to save the ancient valley - and the key to reuniting their family"--Back cover.
Five children find a route through the wilderness in this exciting mountain-race adventure for middle grade readers. Sal, Joe, Francie and Humphrey misplace their famous mapmaker mother as they begin the Great Race to map a rail route through an uncharted wilderness. Their father didn't return from his last expedition and now their money is gone. This race is their last chance. They have 28 days to find and map the best route. There'll be bears, bees, bats, river crossings, cliff falls, impossible weather--but worst of all, they're racing five teams of adults who do not play by the rules.