Published by Tor Teen
ISBN 0765320320 (ISBN13: 9780765320322)

SYNOPSIS:
“More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings—merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.
As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery—one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brandon Sanderson is an American fantasy author. A Nebraska native, he currently resides in Provo, Utah. He earned his Master’s degree in Creative Writing in 2005 from Brigham Young University. He has been nominated twice for the John W. Campbell Award.
Sanderson married on July 7, 2006 and is a member of the LDS church. Sanderson’s writing is noteworthy for its epic fantasy tone, unique settings, precision magic systems, and variety of characters.
After Robert Jordan’s death, Brandon Sanderson has been selected to complete the final book in the epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time. Harriet McDougal, Robert Jordan’s wife, asked him to complete the series after being deeply impressed by Mistborn: The Final Empire.