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The Transall Saga

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Paperback
$10.99 US
5.5"W x 8.31"H x 0.54"D   | 8 oz | 24 per carton
On sale Mar 08, 2011 | 256 Pages | 9780375873232
Age 12 and up | Grade 7 & Up
Reading Level: Lexile 630L

Mark's solo camping trip in the desert turns into a terrifying and thrilling odyssey when a mysterious beam of light transports him to another time on what appears to be another planet. As Mark searches for a pathway back to his own time on Earth, he must make a new life in a new world. His encounters with primitive tribes bring the joy of human bonds, but violence and war as well--and, finally, a contest in which he discovers his own startling powers.

  • WINNER | 2002
    Iowa Children's Choice Award
  • WINNER | 2002
    Iowa Teen Book Award
  • WINNER | 2002
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • WINNER | 1999
    ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • WINNER | 1999
    Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List
  • NOMINEE | 2002
    Arizona Young Readers Award
  • NOMINEE | 2002
    Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award
  • SUBMITTED | 1999
    ALA Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers
Gary Paulsen, bestselling author of Brian's Winter, brings us a new dimension in adventure with The Transall Saga.

* "[A] world of rare charm, a captivating, well-realized realm, where fantastical elements force the protagonist to discover and employ the greatest strengths of his humanity."
--Booklist, starred
© Tim Keating
Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. Among his Random House books are Road Trip (written with his son, Jim Paulsen); Family Ties; Vote; Crush; Flat Broke; Liar, Liar; Paintings from the Cave; Woods Runner; Masters of Disaster; Lawn Boy; Notes from the Dog; The Amazing Life of Birds; Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day; How Angel Peterson Got His Name; Guts; and five books about Francis Tucket's adventures in the Old West. Gary Paulsen has also published fiction and nonfiction for adults. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean. View titles by Gary Paulsen
A snorting sound came from beyond the trees.  A large hairy animal resembling a buffalo charged into the small opening.  It had long tusks, beady eyes and a piglike snout.  The thing waved its shaggy head back and forth, sniffed the air and bellowed.

This can't be happening.  Mark edged toward the nearest tree.  The instant he moved, the beast spotted him.  It pawed the ground with its large hooves and lowered its massive head to attack.

There was no time to think.  Mark jumped for the closest branch and swung up into the tree just as the sharp tusks rushed underneath him.  The animal stopped and sniffed the air again.  Unable to locate its victim, the creature snorted and ambled off into the red forest.

Mark stayed on the branch.  He was shaking and his mind was in a whirl.  "All right.  Would a hallucination attack me? This must be a real place," he whispered.  "But where is it? And how did I get here?"

He thought back to the night before and the energy-charged light.  It has to be.  Whatever that blue light was, it's the key.  When I fell into the tube it transported me to . . . to where? I don't even know if I'm on Earth anymore.

About

Mark's solo camping trip in the desert turns into a terrifying and thrilling odyssey when a mysterious beam of light transports him to another time on what appears to be another planet. As Mark searches for a pathway back to his own time on Earth, he must make a new life in a new world. His encounters with primitive tribes bring the joy of human bonds, but violence and war as well--and, finally, a contest in which he discovers his own startling powers.

Awards

  • WINNER | 2002
    Iowa Children's Choice Award
  • WINNER | 2002
    Iowa Teen Book Award
  • WINNER | 2002
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • WINNER | 1999
    ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  • WINNER | 1999
    Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List
  • NOMINEE | 2002
    Arizona Young Readers Award
  • NOMINEE | 2002
    Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award
  • SUBMITTED | 1999
    ALA Quick Pick for Young Adult Reluctant Readers

Praise

Gary Paulsen, bestselling author of Brian's Winter, brings us a new dimension in adventure with The Transall Saga.

* "[A] world of rare charm, a captivating, well-realized realm, where fantastical elements force the protagonist to discover and employ the greatest strengths of his humanity."
--Booklist, starred

Author

© Tim Keating
Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. Among his Random House books are Road Trip (written with his son, Jim Paulsen); Family Ties; Vote; Crush; Flat Broke; Liar, Liar; Paintings from the Cave; Woods Runner; Masters of Disaster; Lawn Boy; Notes from the Dog; The Amazing Life of Birds; Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day; How Angel Peterson Got His Name; Guts; and five books about Francis Tucket's adventures in the Old West. Gary Paulsen has also published fiction and nonfiction for adults. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean. View titles by Gary Paulsen

Excerpt

A snorting sound came from beyond the trees.  A large hairy animal resembling a buffalo charged into the small opening.  It had long tusks, beady eyes and a piglike snout.  The thing waved its shaggy head back and forth, sniffed the air and bellowed.

This can't be happening.  Mark edged toward the nearest tree.  The instant he moved, the beast spotted him.  It pawed the ground with its large hooves and lowered its massive head to attack.

There was no time to think.  Mark jumped for the closest branch and swung up into the tree just as the sharp tusks rushed underneath him.  The animal stopped and sniffed the air again.  Unable to locate its victim, the creature snorted and ambled off into the red forest.

Mark stayed on the branch.  He was shaking and his mind was in a whirl.  "All right.  Would a hallucination attack me? This must be a real place," he whispered.  "But where is it? And how did I get here?"

He thought back to the night before and the energy-charged light.  It has to be.  Whatever that blue light was, it's the key.  When I fell into the tube it transported me to . . . to where? I don't even know if I'm on Earth anymore.