Nikki Aksamit

The Inbetweens: the Crossing (Volume 1) Nikki Aksamit

Set in a simpler time, when water came from a well and families worked together to run their village, the children in the story of "The Inbetweens" must embark on a perilous one day, cross-country journey that every child of their age is expected to take - the journey of The Crossing. Brynn, Paulo and Ryu have all heard stories of The Crossing from their families and others in their village, stories of its treacherous terrain and the many obstacles encountered by those that had walked its path before them. Their own parents warned that many children have not returned home, lost somewhere during the arduous journey, never to be found. But it will be those who are deliberately not spoken of who will put the three children in the greatest danger. This is the secret of The Crossing that is kept by all who have walked its path. Each child finds that the one truth of the journey is that no amount of teachings could fully prepare them for all that they will endure. The children will have to rely on their inner strength and the strength of their friendship if they wish to navigate the path of The Crossing without being lost. The Riddles found etched into stone along the way will challenge the children's perceptions of trust, the truth, and especially themselves. The Somethings and The Nothings will try to trick, mislead, help, guide and sometimes even entertain them during their travels. Together Ryu, Brynn and Paulo must decide how to find their way home, and in the end, together they must decide which one of them won't be going home at all.