opening its shell to discover what lies inside.
PTERODRAGYN
Wilderland: the Mountains
Class: Mythic
This “dragon” is entirely made of stone but uses a powerful magnetism Lore to propel itself from the ground. As it does not lay eggs but carves its young out of rock, it is not technically a dragon, however it may resemble one.
RATTLE
Wilderland: all
Class: Familiar
These ratlike Beasts were wrongfully blamed for the spread of the Kankerous Plague seven centuries ago and have since had a poor reputation. But they are very clever, and their plant Lore can stop food from spoiling.
SILBERWAL
Wilderland: the Sea
Class: Mythic
Though nicknamed a “whale dragon,” these Beasts are also not dragons, as they do not have wings and cannot fly. But similar to dragons, they love anything shiny, and their underwater caves are often full of sunken treasure.
STINGUR
Wilderland: all
Class: Trite
These beelike Beasts glow in the dark, but do not mistake them for simple fireflies, as their stings are quite painful.
STOOLIP
Wilderland: the Woods
Class: Trite
These Beasts live in clusters and resemble mushrooms, but their caps can induce drowsiness and sleep when suctioned to the skin. Removing the caps does not cause the Beasts any harm.
STYERWURM
Wilderland: the Woods
Class: Prime
These giant worms resemble trees, but don’t be fooled! These Beasts are highly dangerous and not picky eaters—at least, not once they shake their food to death! Personally, I’ve always found them rather cute.
TADPIKE
Wilderland: the Woods
Class: Trite
Found in sources of freshwater, these baby Tadhops are magical filters—it is safe to consume water from any ponds, lakes, or streams in which they reside.
TURTLETOT
Wilderland: the Sea
Class: Familiar
These turtlelike Beasts have large shells made of coral, and because coral makes a delightful, colorful home for all sorts of tiny creatures, at their adult size, Turtletots become miniature Beast and animal hotels. Buggy guests beware, though—your room service just might eat you!
VAMPIRWING
Wilderland: the Mountains, the Jungle, the Woods
Class: Familiar
Watch out for these! Fond of dark, damp places like caves or hollowed-out trees, their combination of sound Lore and dark Lore makes their screeches so powerful at nighttime that they can knock you unconscious for a whole day. Your sleep will be quite restful, though.
ZIGGOPATCH
Wilderland: the Woods, the Mountains
Class: Familiar
These molelike Beasts have handy tracking Lore due to their excellent sense of smell. They can sniff out a source of fire or water over four miles away.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Like Barclay, this story swept me on an unexpected adventure, and I would not have made it to the end without the support of many people who ventured into the Woods with me.
To my agent, Whitney Ross, who immediately understood the heart of this book and made it shine: thank you for believing in me at a time when my self-confidence was deeply shaken. I am lucky to have you as a champion.
To my editor, Kate Prosswimmer: thank you for the cheers, the phone calls, the brainstorming sessions, the spreadsheets, the incredible feedback, and the overwhelming amount of enthusiasm and guidance. I could not have found a savvier or more amazing partner for this tale, and I very much look forward to the next adventure.
To the rest of the team at McElderry, including Nicole Fiorica, Justin Chanda, Karen Wojtyla, and Bridget Madsen: thank you for giving Barclay a fantastic home. And thank you to Chrissy Noh, Lisa Moraleda, and Shivani Annirood for helping this series find its way into the hands of readers.
Thank you to Petur Antonnson, who illustrated an absolutely breathtaking cover. And to Sonia Chaghatzbanian and Karyn Lee for designing this book to be as fun and beastly as its contents. (I am still not over the mushrooms!!!)
To Christine Lynn Herman, the first person I confided in when I decided to attempt a middle grade novel: thank you for being my best friend.
Thank you to my early readers, including Axie Oh, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Tara Sim, and Amanda Haas—without your enthusiasm, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to keep going. Thank you to the Philadelphia Low Groggery collective, including Katherine Locke for the mushroom knowledge and Alex London for reminding me that I needed to just write the book I wanted to write. Thank you to Akshaya Raman, the savviest of world-builders, and to the rest of my critique group, including Meg Kohlmann, Melody Simpson, Katy Rose Pool, Janella Angeles, Erin Bay, Kat Cho, Claribel Ortega, Mara Fitzgerald, Alex Castellanos, Maddy Colis, and Ashley Burdin—there is no one else I would rather be in a cult with. And thank you to Rory Power, for the group chats and writer retreats, to Allison Dillon, for cheering me on, and to Zoe Sivak, Viola’s honorary big sister.
To Lauren Magaziner: thank you for welcoming me to the world of middle grade, as well as for being a fantastic friend.
To my fiancé: thank you for being my hooman.
To Jelly Bean: thank you for inspiring Mitzi’s wild antics.
To my brothers: thank you Ryan, fellow Pokémon Master, and thank you Connor, for my very first and favorite Wilderlore fan art.
To my YA readers who followed me to these books: your support truly makes me feel like the luckiest of writers. You are all part of the wilds now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Foody is the author of Daughter of the Burning City and The Shadow Game Series, which includes Ace of Shades, King of Fools, and Queen of Volts. Formerly an accountant who prepared taxes for multinational corporations, Amanda lives in Massachusetts with Jelly Bean, a feline beastly companion of her own. You can visit her at amandafoody.com.
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Margaret K. McElderry
Simon & Schuster, New York
MARGARET K. McELDERRY BOOKS
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Text copyright © 2021 by Amanda Foody
Jacket illustration © 2021 by Petur Antonsson
Logo illustration © 2021 by David Coulson
Jacket design by Karyn Lee © 2021 by Simon & Schuster, Inc.
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Interior design by Karyn Lee
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Foody, Amanda, author.
Title: The accidental apprentice / Amanda Foody.
Description: New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, [2021] | Series: Wilderlore ; book 1 | Audience: Ages 8–12. | Audience: Grades 4–6. | Summary: Eleven-year-old Barclay Thorne yearns for the quiet life of a mushroom farmer, but after unwittingly bonding with a beast in the forbidden Woods, he must seek Lore Keepers to break the bond and return home.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020031159 (print) | ISBN 9781534477568 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781534477582 (eBook)
Subjects: CYAC: Fantasy. | Adventure and adventurers—Fiction. | Apprentices—Fiction. | Monsters—Fiction. | Orphans—Fiction.
Classification: LCC PZ7.1.F657 Abm 2021 (print) | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020031159