First published 2009
Mark's anthropologist father vanishes somewhere in the Gobi desert while following Marco Polo's route from Venice to China. His mother brings Mark to Venice so they can ask the agency to organize a search party. Away from home at Christmas and terrified about his father, Mark suffers a severe asthma attack in the middle of the night. Doc Hornaday, a family friend, arrives with his enormous black Tibetan mastiff named Boss to help. To calm Mark's breathing and get him through the long night, Doc tells him the story of Marco Polo's legendary journey. As Doc recounts Marco's adventures, Mark becomes captivated by the tale that has fascinated people for centuries. The story of Marco's travels gives Mark courage and awakens his desire for adventure and discovery.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, mystery, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: China, Gobi Desert, Venice
Period: Christmas
304 pages · Kindle Edition · Random House Books for Young Readers