Did you know that horseshoe crabs have been around for 200 million years? That mussels spin long anchor lines and climb steep slopes with them? Do you know what a Beetlebung tree is?

"A superb piece of storytelling. Rahman takes us deep into a future world bereft of light and hope. As her characters begin to awaken to the deadness around them, we also become awakened. Annie's struggle becomes our struggle. We too look for resolution and cling to the vision that somehow, someway, hope will prevail. This is a debut novel not to be missed!" --James Mathews, Author of Last Known Position A government lying to its people. What else is new? Well, in this dystopian world, the lies have reached a breaking point. That's because the government rulers of the new era, known simply as "The Leaders", have managed to convince all United States citizens that they are the only country in existence. The USA is perceived from within to be an island on a planet made up of almost complete ocean. The idea that other land masses on Earth exist has become simply a fable, a legend. A legend known as The Outer Lands. Of course, no one believes such a silly concept. Other countries? Ridiculous. That's definitely what Annie Bender thinks, a curious, but na�ve 17 year-old going through the motions of a corrupt school system. She doesn't have time to worry about children's stories and myths. She has a life to start living. A life of endless labor. Fun, right? That is, until she meets Colton Diaz. A mysterious, troublesome, and unbelievably irritating boy who insists on showing her his discovery; something he found hidden in an old, halfway underground library. With her interest successfully sparked, she joins forces with Colton and her strangely adventurous teacher to unravel the mystery of the Outer Lands. However, none of them know exactly how much trouble they're getting themselves into. Will they be able to handle the consequences that come with the secrets they attempt to unravel?

Experience the unique ecology of the Outer Lands in this reissued classic “An extraordinary achievement in natural history and science. But it’s so artfully written you forget it’s a scientific treatise and find yourself reading it with sheer pleasure.” — Provincetown Advocate Dorothy Sterling explores the fascinating plants and animals that inhabit the peninsulas and islands of the East Coast known as the Outer Lands. With vibrant original drawings by Winifred Lubell and a new foreword by natural historian Robert Finch, The Outer Lands is a lively, lovingly observed biography of place.