2023 Newbery Honor Winner
2023 Walter Dean Myers Honor Award Winner

Christina Suntonbat's
Third Newbery Honor Winner

Christina Sunthonbat, winner of the 2021 Newbery Honor for The Children Who Walk in the Dark, which captures the dazzling rebellion of two children born into darkness, has also won the same award in the nonfiction category, making her the rare author to win two Newbery Medals in one year.


And in 2023, she won another Newbery Honor for The Last Cartographer, which tells the story of a girl who sets out to sea to escape her birthright and poverty.
At the same time, the book was once again recognized for its quality when it won the Walter Dean Myers Honor Award, which is given to an excellent book featuring diverse characters.


Sai, the protagonist of "The Last Cartographer," works as an assistant to the mapmaker Paiyun.
He hid the fact from his father, who was a thief and a fraudster, and hid his origins from Master Paiyun.
When Sai's master accidentally discovers his forgery skills, he offers to join his expedition to find new lands and draw maps for him. Sai, who has been waiting for a chance to escape from his father, willingly follows his master on the 'Prosperity'.
However, in prosperity, he encounters 'Grebe' who notices his origins, and discovers and takes in a boy who is a stowaway, 'Bo'.
As the days continue to be filled with heartache because of Greve and Bo, the only consolation is that he has become close to the noble lady 'Rian' who treats him with openness.
Lian, known as the captain's friend, is from a different background from Sai, both of whom come from the slums, but their desire to rise to a higher status through this expedition is mirrored in their desire.


After hearing from Lian that the true purpose of the expedition was to confirm the existence of the unknown continent 'Sunderland', Sai is torn between those who want to obstruct the expedition and those who are determined to discover Sunderland.
While I understand his desire to keep Sunderland from being tarnished by the world, he also desperately wants to break free from his humble status by achieving great things.
As he continues his life-threatening voyage, Sai gets closer to the truth step by step.

Longing for a free and confident future
A child's earnest and exciting adventure

In the story, the kingdom of Mankon, where Sai lives, is a powerful nation that has conquered numerous countries and is a society with strict order and norms.
Mankon's national ideology can be summarized in the saying, 'The tail is the teeth.'
The children of Mancon grow up learning that the past is the future, and that they are all living links to the past.
Every child receives a 'linear' when he turns thirteen, the rings of which symbolize the proud ancestors of a generation.
So, if you look at the lineal ring that someone wears as a watch strap or bracelet, you can tell at a glance how noble that person's status is.


But there is no proud ancestor that can be revealed to Saige as a lineage.
There is only a father who is an ex-convict and only plans to use his daughter.
However, thanks to the education his father gave him, Sai also had an opportunity, even though it was to be used for fraudulent activities.
He caught the eye of the map master, Pai Yun, and started working as his assistant.


However, Sai works hard to hide his origins throughout his time working under Master Paiyun.
Because he believes that if his master finds out about his origins, he will lose the opportunity he worked so hard to obtain.
In Mangkon, where everything is determined by one's origins, it is nearly impossible for a child like Sai to become a disciple of a master.
Saido is well aware of this fact, so he sees the assistant job as a way to raise funds to leave Anlong.
Then one day, Sai's father tries to use his talent for imitating other people's handwriting for another scam.
Even though his origins were humble, Sai, who could not be humble on the inside, grew even more determined to break away from his father and the Mangkon.


Just then, an unexpected opportunity comes to Sai.
By order of the Queen, you are able to board a ship that sets out to find a new land.
But the tests Sai must face are endless.
He was at a crossroads where he had to decide whether or not to turn his back on the master who believed in him and gave him a chance.
The journey we take in life, where we constantly have to choose and decide whether to be true to our desires or follow our conscience, is not so different from our own lives.


Even as a dark past holds him back and difficult choices block his path, Sai does everything in his power to create a new tomorrow.
Sometimes, the wrong choices put not only themselves but also others at risk, but in the end, readers will find themselves rooting for the right path.

A blend of fantastical backgrounds and realistic desires
True hope found at the end of a mysterious journey

The 'Sunderland' that Sai and his party are searching for is known to be the new home of the dragons who left the kingdom that helped the kingdom of Mankon prosper.
Mangkon, who brings to mind the Western European countries of the Age of Exploration along with the author's homeland of Thailand, embarks on an expedition to Sunderland to accumulate wealth and expand the kingdom's territory.
While Lian and most of the crew seek to satisfy their own desires by relying on the kingdom's will, Master Paiyun worries that this expedition, like past wars of conquest, will bring exploitation and destruction.
And as a mapmaker, he feels that his actions in contributing to past wars of conquest were wrong and wants to sabotage this expedition.


Even though Sai notices his master's feelings, he chooses to follow his own desires.
Of course, that choice was not without the intention of protecting the young stowaway, Bo.
Rather than criticizing such a relationship, Master Paiyun chooses to trust him until the end.
Just like the 'True Master' in 'Children Who Walk in the Dark', we decided to discover the light that exists within children and pin our hopes on that light.
And Master Paiyun's choice is not wrong.
Finally, at the end of the world, Sai encounters the queen of dragons, Slake, and discovers the truth behind this expedition, choosing to 'slow down' the ensuing exploitation and destruction.


Expeditions of prosperity are vividly reminiscent of the Age of Exploration, but they are not far removed from the abuses that great powers inflict on weaker nations today, and that humans inflict on fellow humans and nature.
Suntonbat seeks the strength in children to stop the rush of desire that only sees immediate gain and rushes towards destruction.
As in my previous work, I want to show through my work the hope they create together: a child with an inner light, a true adult who discovers that light and encourages it.


The way to overcome the seemingly unbreakable wall of reality, I believe, lies in the eyes that can see the truth beyond the phenomenon, like the dragon's "shelter" in this book, the courage to not betray the truth you've discovered even in the midst of difficulties, and empathy and compassion for all living things.
As we journey together on Sai's arduous and magnificent journey, I hope that children, like Sai, will draw their own maps and discover the light hidden within them.


Recommended reviews

Suntonbat, winner of the Newbery Honor for "The Children Who Walk in the Dark," continues to amaze us with his skillful metaphors.
The moment the reader encounters the young heroine chasing the sea-diving monster in pursuit of glory, they will be compelled to chase the dragon along with this pensive protagonist.
- [The New York Times]

It delves deeply into questions of exploration, power, and responsibility, while unfolding a captivating and exciting tale of exploration.
- [Washington Post]

It is urgent and desperate.
The story unfolds skillfully, with a strong anti-colonial atmosphere.
- [Wall Street Journal]

It deals skillfully with the subjects of colonial rule and 'discovery'.
Featuring a cast of characters of diverse skin tones and emotional depth, this maritime adventure maintains a brisk pace while deftly exploring complex power dynamics and class structures.
- [Publisher's Weekly]

The adventure unfolding in the endless sea and the characters with many stories come together to create a story full of excitement and emotion.
An adventure story so captivating that it will make you want to explore the world.
- [Kirkus Review]

The rich, inspiring sentences draw the reader straight into the story, and the colorful characters reminiscent of Charles Dickens and the sharp tone of the main character, Sai, make the pages turn quickly.
This unique work, brimming with action, magic, colonialism, and fatalism, unfolds a captivating story with multiple layers that will have readers returning to the land of dreams and dragons again and again.

- [School Library Journal]

Class structures, imperial greed, and environmental destruction underpin the narrative of this fantastical adventure, resonating with issues of our time.
It's a great fun read for young readers, while also raising questions about expansionism and decolonization.

- [Soul Book]

The action-packed narrative, along with the interesting characters, keeps the pages turning.
Readers of this unique work, which blends period history, adventure, and fantasy against a Thai-inspired backdrop, will be eagerly anticipating a sequel.
- [Booklist (American Library Association)]

Suntonbat's rich worldview and characters expand the meaning of 'being a hero.'
- [Star Tribune]