The Borderlands aren\u2019t like anywhere else. Don\u2019t try to smuggle a phone or any other piece of technology over the wall that marks the Border\u2014unless you enjoy a fireworks display in your backpack. (Ballpoint pens are okay.) There are elves, harpies, and\u2014best of all as far as Elliot is concerned\u2014mermaids.<\/p>\n

Elliot? Who\u2019s Elliot? Elliot is thirteen years old. He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle, an elven warrior who is more beautiful than anyone Elliot has ever seen, and then there\u2019s her human friend Luke: sunny, blond, and annoyingly likeable. There are lots of interesting books. There\u2019s even the chance Elliot might be able to change the world.<\/p>\n

Representation Includes<\/h4>\n

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• Bisexual male protagonist who is also Jewish (non-practicing)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
  Content Warnings<\/div>

  violence, death, war, child abuse, child neglect, biphobia, relationship between minor (16) and adult (20), bullying, mentions of eating disorders, emotional abuse, slut shaming <\/div>