In Other Lands is an exhilarating novel from bestselling author Sarah Rees Brennan about surviving four years in the most unusual of schools - friendship, falling in love, diplomacy, and finding your own place in the world -- even if it means giving up your phone.

Excerpt:

The
Borderlands aren't like anywhere else. Don't try to smuggle a phone or
any other piece of technology over the wall that marks the Border --
unless you enjoy a fireworks display in your backpack. (Ballpoint pens
are okay.) There are elves, harpies, and -- best of all as far as Elliot
is concerned -- mermaids.

"What's your name?"

"Serene."

"Serena?" Elliot asked.

"Serene," said Serene. "My full name is Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle."

Elliot's mouth fell open. "That is badass."

Elliot?
Who's Elliot? Elliot is thirteen years old. He's smart and just a tiny
bit obnoxious. Sometimes more than a tiny bit. When his class goes on a
field trip and he can see a wall that no one else can see, he is given
the chance to go to school in the Borderlands.

It turns out that
on the other side of the wall, classes involve a lot more weaponry and
fitness training and fewer mermaids than he expected. On the other hand,
there's Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle, an elven warrior who is
more beautiful than anyone Elliot has ever seen, and then there's her
human friend Luke: sunny, blond, and annoyingly likeable. There are lots
of interesting books. There's even the chance Elliot might be able to
change the world.

Chapter illustrations by Casey Nowak.