This stunning middle grade historical fantasy adventure is a companion to the critically acclaimed A Crack in the Sea. Now in paperback. Putnam, the future king of Raftworld, wants more than anything to prove himself. When the water in the Second World starts to become salty and his father won't do anything about it, Putnam sees his chance. He steals a boat and sneaks off toward the source of the salty water. He doesn't know he has a stowaway onboard, an island girl named Artie. As the two face uncertainty and danger in their shared adventure, an extraordinary friendship forms. Meanwhile, a hundred years in the past, Rayel, princess of Raftworld, flees to southern waters, escaping an arranged marriage, and foiling a plot to kill her father. Told in alternating perspectives with Putnam and Artie traveling further and further into the uncharted southern sea--and Rayel, the key to the saltwater mystery, sailing the same sea in her own time--Putnam and Artie must put aside their differences and figure out why the sea is salty before it's too late.

The oceans have always been a source of fascination for humanity. They cover over 70% of our planet's surface, yet they remain largely unexplored, holding untold stories and hidden treasures. From ancient myths and legends to modern-day fantasies, the oceans have inspired countless tales of adventure, romance, and intrigue.

In a time long forgotten, where the echoes of creation still whispered through the mountains, flowed through the rivers, flickered in the flames, and whistled through the air, the world was in harmony. The ancient elemental powers of Fire, Earth, Water, and Air existed in balance, their rhythmic dance guiding the world's rhythm, their silent symphony sculpting its destiny. But as ages passed, a discord was born. The elements began to wane, their harmony disrupted, their dance faltered. The world was on the verge of chaos, teetering on the brink of destruction. In the midst of this growing tumult, whispers of an old prophecy surfaced, tales of four heroes, each chosen by an element, destined to restore balance. In the Scorched Plains, where fiery spirits roamed and the ground kissed the sun, a flame-haired girl was born under the shadow of an erupting volcano. Her spirit was as fierce as the flames she danced with, her destiny intertwined with the element of Fire. This was Mirah, the fire wielder, the first hero of the prophecy. In the Verdant Woods, where nature sang and the earth whispered its secrets, a girl was born amidst the roots of the ancient Mother Tree. Her heart beat in time with the earth, her soul mirrored its patience and wisdom. This was Eolande, the earth wielder, the second hero of the prophecy. In the Ocean's Cradle, where the sea sang songs of old and the waves told stories of time, a boy was born during the greatest storm the world had ever seen. His spirit ebbed and flowed with the tide, his heart beat in harmony with the ocean's rhythm. This was Draven, the water wielder, the third hero of the prophecy. In the Skyreach Mountains, where the winds danced and the sky kissed the earth, a boy was born under the dancing aurora. His heart was as free as the winds he commanded, his soul as light as the air he breathed. This was Iolan, the air wielder, the fourth and final hero of the prophecy. In a world teetering on the brink of chaos, four unlikely heroes emerged, chosen by the elements, bound by a shared destiny. Their journey would take them through trials and tribulations, through the depths of the oceans and the heart of the forests, to the fiery deserts and the soaring mountains, to the very core of the world. Their path was fraught with danger and uncertainty, teeming with mythical creatures and ancient mysteries. But the prophecy had foretold their coming, their elemental powers held the key to restoring balance. Along the way, they would uncover the lost artifacts, reveal the secrets of the prophecy, and forge bonds as strong and enduring as the elements themselves. This is the tale of the Elemental Prophecy, an epic saga of unity, balance, and friendship. It's a tale of courage and hope, of trials and triumphs, and most importantly, of unbreakable bonds. As the world stands on the brink of chaos, follow the journey of the elemental wielders, the heroes of the prophecy, as they strive to restore balance, guided by their unity, their courage, their friendship, and their unbreakable bonds. This is their story, the story of the Elemental Prophecy.