Coming Soon

By Kwame Alexander

Illustrated by Kitt Thomas

On Sale: Feb 3, 2026
Page Count: 144 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780316442381

$9.99

$12.99 CAD

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A young girl finds her voice—and discovers the power of speaking up for herself and her community—in this sweet and humorous chapter book by award-winning and #1 bestselling author Kwame Alexander, perfect for fans of Ivy + Bean and Ruby and the Booker Boys.

When Macy gets book one of The Mighty Zora series for her birthday, she stays up until 11:34pm finishing the book. But the next day, when Macy gets to her school library, eager to check out book two, she finds the door locked with a sign explaining that the library will now only be open a few days a week due to budget cuts. Even worse, she finds out her father won't be home to help her figure out what to do, as he will be traveling to a museum in Montgomery, Alabama to read a poem about civil rights. With help from her fellow third graders, support from her mom, and encouragement from poems written and hidden for her by her father, Macy must find her voice and learn the power of advocating for herself and her community.

Can Macy learn to be Mighty?

Genre:

* "Tender and powerful, this unique chapter book in verse is a delight. Young readers will learn about poetic form and music terminology while they follow Macy through her life with people who love and encourage her. Thomas’s monochrome illustrations make the narrative come alive, deftly capturing character mood and tone…. A beautiful book centering an endearing protagonist that hits all the right notes; highly recommended for elementary fiction shelves."
School Library Journal, starred review
* "In this effervescent chapter book by Alexander. . . Softly rounded illustrations from Thomas (Stacey Speaks Up) emanate charm, accompanying stanzas that provide glimpses into the exuberant life of a self-assured middle schooler readers will wish was their own best friend. Macy’s desire to help the library underscores the importance of similar community spaces, culminating in a winning narrative about the power of language and learning to stand up for one’s beliefs."
Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Alexander’s lyrical free verse paints Macy as relatable and funny and gives each character their own arc, especially her playful and joyous father (perhaps a reflection of the author). Inventive visual design aids in the storytelling, with words stretching, shrinking, and scattering across the page in bursts of motion. Dynamic black-and-white spot illustrations imbue Macy and her world with softness and humor while portraying her as a force to be reckoned with; her initial fears will resonate with readers, who will cheer her each step of the way….Unputdownable."
Kirkus, starred review
“A love letter to school libraries and celebration of creative pursuits.”
Horn Book
"This early chapter book in verse has an approachably gentle tone…. Thomas’ grayscale sketches of Macy, a joyful, bright-eyed little Black girl, help illuminate the devotion between her and her community. Ultimately, Macy’s speech to the school board highlights the importance of books being both mirrors and windows, a message that will surely land with enthusiastic book nerds and perhaps entice reluctant readers."
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Kwame Alexander

About the Author

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author of 40 books, including An American Story, The Door of No Return, Becoming Muhammad Ali (co-authored with James Patterson), Rebound, which was shortlisted for the prestigious UK Carnegie Medal, and The Undefeated, the National Book Award nominee, Newbery Honor, and Caldecott Medal-winning picture book illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

Kwame is also the Executive Producer, Showrunner, and Emmy-winning Writer of The Crossover TV series, based on his Newbery-Medal winning novel of the same name, which premiered on Disney+ in April 2023. The series was produced in partnership with LeBron James’ SpringHill Company and Big Sea Entertainment, Kwame’s production company that is dedicated to creating innovative, highly original children’s and family entertainment. Other current projects in development at Big Sea include America’s Next Great Author, the groundbreaking reality television series for writers.

A regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition, he regularly shares his passion for literacy, books and the craft of writing there and around the world at events like the Chautauqua Lecture Series, the Edinburgh Book Festival, Aspen Ideas, and the Global Literacy Symposium in Ghana, where he opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana. Most recently he was appointed the Rudell Artistic Director of Literary Arts and Writer-in-Residence at the Chautauqua Institution.
His mission is to change the world, one word at a time.

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