This first edition is in near fine condition. There are no marks, and the pages are tight and appear unread. The book is tight and square, though the title page has a small tear. The dust cover is unmarked, white cloth boards, and silver lettering on the spine of the book. Navigating Early is a 2013 novel by Clare Vanderpool, an award-winning author known for her rich storytelling. The story is set just after World War II and follows Jack Baker, a young boy from Kansas who is sent to a boarding school in Maine after the death of his mother. At the school, Jack befriends Early Auden, an unusual and brilliant boy. Together, they embark on an epic quest along the Appalachian Trail, chasing a legendary story tied to Early's missing brother, Fisher.