2019 Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book

“Original, brave, and addictive.”—Adam Gidwitz, bestselling author of the Newbery Honor Book The Inquisitor’s Tale

Fast-paced, witty, and riveting, this contemporary fantasy adventure has magic woven through every page. The Collectors begins an enchanting two-book series from Jacqueline West, the New York Times–bestselling author of The Books of Elsewhere series. For fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak, The Isle of the Lost, and The Secret Keepers. 

Van has always been an outsider. He’s hard of hearing, collects trinkets, and lives with his single mother—an opera singer with a huge personality. Then one day, Van notices a girl stealing pennies from a fountain, and everything changes. He follows the girl, Pebble, and uncovers a secret society full of wishes and the people who collect them. Not all wishes are good and even good wishes often have unintended consequences, and the Collectors have made it their duty to protect us. But they aren't the only ones who have their eyes on the world’s wishes—and they may not be the good guys, after all. 

In this thrilling middle grade fantasy, Jacqueline West spins a story about friendship, magic, and the gray area between good and evil. The Collectors is for fans of Cassie Beasley’s Circus Mirandus and Jonathan Auxier’s The Night Gardener. Booklist calls it, “A brilliant fantasy adventure exploring the consequences of getting what you wish for.”

This enchanting middle grade adventure is perfect for young readers who love uncovering secrets and exploring hidden worlds.

• A World of Secret Magic: Discover the Collectors, an ancient group who gathers the wishes made on pennies, birthday candles, and wishbones-but their motives are more mysterious than they first appear.
• Unlikely Friendship: Join Van and the fierce, fast-talking Pebble as they navigate a hidden world, unsure if they can even trust each other.
• Hearing Impairment Representation: A powerful coming of age story featuring a hard-of-hearing protagonist who discovers his unique way of seeing the world is a strength.
• Good vs. Evil: A brilliant fantasy that explores the consequences of getting what you wish for and the gray area between heroes and villains.

“A gentle, triumphant reminder that being different doesn’t correspond to weakness. First in a planned duology, West’s magical adventure offers humor and warmhearted adventure.”