Stepping Stones

By Lucy Knisley. Published by Penguin Random House.

Softcover, 224 pages, Color, 2020. 

This contemporary middle-grade graphic novel about family and belonging from New York Times bestselling author Lucy Knisley is a perfect read for fans of Awkward and Be Prepared.

Jen is used to not getting what she wants. So suddenly moving the country and getting new stepsisters shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.

Jen did not want to leave the city. She did not want to move to a farm with her mom and her mom’s new boyfriend, Walter. She did not want to leave her friends and her dad.

Most of all, Jen did not want to get new “sisters,” Andy and Reese.

As if learning new chores on Peapod Farm wasn’t hard enough, having to deal with perfect-at-everything Andy might be the last straw for Jen. Besides cleaning the chicken coop, trying to keep up with the customers at the local farmers’ market, and missing her old life, Jen has to deal with her own insecurities about this new family . . . and where she fits in.

New York Times bestselling author Lucy Knisley brings to life a story inspired from her own childhood in an amazing journey of unlikely friends, sisters, and home.

“Funny, sweet, and real.” -Jennifer & Matthew Holm, co-creators of the bestselling Babymouse series

“This book is gorgeous. Highly recommended.” -Kristen Gudsnuk, creator of Making Friends.

“This candid, heartwarming look at a child grappling with major changes will resonate with fans of Raina Telgemeier and Svetlana Chmakova and anyone trying to find their place.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“A realistic and relatable story of tween growth.” —The Horn Book, starred review

“Knisley balances humor and deeply felt emotion to capture the particular unfairness of being a child at the mercy of parental decisions.” —Publishers Weekly

“Painfully realistic, this is a strong addition to the middle-grade shelf.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A quietly charming tale.” —Booklist

“Jen’s awkwardness, her struggles with math, and her grudging acceptance of her new life make her a relatable heroine that readers will root for.” —The Bulletin