The Only Ones
"Call it coincidence, call it fate. This is the place you come. There's nowhere else. There's no one else. This is the entire world."
These words welcome Martin Maple to the village of Xibalba. Like the other children who've journeyed there, he faces an awful truth.
He was forgotten.
When families and friends all disappeared one afternoon, these were the only ones left behind. There's Darla, who drives a monster truck, Felix, who uses string and wood to rebuild the Internet, Lane, who crafts elaborate contraptions, and nearly forty others, each equally brilliant and peculiar.
Inspired by the prophesies of a mysterious boy who talks to animals, Martin believes he can reunite them with their loved ones. But believing and knowing are two different things, as he soon discovers with the push of a button, flip of a switch, turn of a dial...
PB ISBN: 9780385740449
Readers: Middle Grade (9 and up)
REVIEWS
"Both literary and engaging, this is the kind of book readers will want to return to for new discoveries." – Kirkus Reviews
"Starmer’s science-fiction fable ultimately becomes gripping and haunting as the characters explore matters of faith, leadership, and responsibility, culminating in a reflective, bittersweet conclusion worthy of Neil Gaiman." – School Library Journal
"Starmer weaves an enchanting tale full of mystery and magic. The novel includes moments of gentle humor that contrast with despair and sadness, creating a perfect balance." – VOYA Magazine