The first book in the captivating Colours of Madeleine series

"Quirky, charming, funny, sad: another winner from this always-surprising author." Kirkus

"Perfectly strange ... Jaclyn Moriarty is one of the most original writers we have." Markus Zusak

Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World - a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie's Tea Shop.

Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello - where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours.

They are worlds apart - until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white - the slim seam of a letter. Elliot begins to write to Madeleine, the Girl-in-the-World - a most dangerous thing to do, for suspected cracks must be reported and closed. But Elliot's father has disappeared and Madeleine's mother is sick. Can a stranger from another world help to unravel the mysteries in your own? Can Madeleine and Elliot find the missing pieces of themselves before it is too late?

Winner of NSW Premier's Literary Award Ethel Turner Prize 2013

Winner of Queensland Literary Awards' Young Adult Book Award 2013

Shortlisted for WA Premier's Literary Awards' Young Adult 2012