Reveling in mysterious destinies and dangerous adventure, this novel for middle schoolers follows Thomas Hawkins, a student no different from his peers at the Lost Preparatory Academy for Boys, until a man with a wooden leg appears and Thomas must leave the life he knows or chance not reaching his next birthday, which is only days away. After years of scaling the school's rooftops, engaging in swordplay and treasure hunts with his friends, and fighting-off blood thirsty pirates, this imaginary world suddenly becomes all too real. And as if a close encounter with a pirate isn't enough, Thomas discovers a brother he never knew and a gift that will eventually save both their lives: he can make maps come alive.