A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Some trials judge your ability. Others decide your fate.

Sixteen-year-old Astrid has survived four years of brutal training to become a Jumper—an elite order tasked with protecting their home from deadly beasts. Passing their exam is her chance to finally belong, but she discovers something terrifying instead. And the precious seconds she loses escaping it are enough to guarantee her failure.

The only witness is Hawk, an experienced Jumper as severe as he is skilled. He has every reason to fail her, but she uncovers a secret he’ll do anything to protect—and forces his hand.

With him as her mentor, Astrid fights to prove herself worthy of the Jumpers…but the secrets between them crackle like lightning. The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore their growing connection.

As truths begin to surface and loyalties fracture, the line between protector and enemy blurs. Forced to choose between following orders and trusting her instincts, Astrid must decide what kind of Jumper—and person—she wants to be.

Because the real danger isn’t what lurks in the caves…

Perfect for fans of dark secrets, fierce friendships, and twisty underwater worlds, this debut will leave you breathless.

Ellie Owens is the debut author of Cave Jumpers. She received her MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults at the New School in Manhattan, where she developed a penchant for writing about messy characters who make questionable choices. When not writing in bed in her sweatpants, Ellie can be found talking to birds and wondering why they’re not talking back.