A New York Public Library Best Kids Book of 2018 * A Kirkus Best Book of 2018 * A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of 2019

This funny and moving second novel from the author of The Someday Birds features comic trivia, a safety superhero, and a super-cool scavenger hunt all over downtown San Diego, as our young hero Stanley Fortinbras grapples with social anxiety—and learns what, exactly, it means to be brave.

Nobody knows comics trivia like Stanley knows comics trivia.

It’s what he takes comfort in when the world around him and his chaotic family life get to be too much. And after he faints during a safety assembly, Stanley takes his love of comics up a level by inventing his own imaginary superhero, named John Lockdown, to help him through.

Help is what he needs, because Stanley’s entered Trivia Quest—a giant comics-trivia scavenger hunt adventure—to prove he can tackle his worries, score VIP passes to Comic Fest, and win back his ex-best friend. Partnered with his fearless new neighbor Liberty, Stanley faces his most epic, overwhelming, challenging day ever.

What would John Lockdown do?

Stanley’s about to find out.

  • Friendship Stories for Kids: To win back his ex-best friend, Stanley has to team up with his fearless new neighbor, Liberty, putting a new and unexpected partnership to the test.
  • Finding Bravery and Courage: When the world gets too overwhelming, Stanley invents an imaginary superhero sidekick, John Lockdown, to help him face his fears one challenge at a time.
  • For Kids Who Love Comic Books: A massive scavenger hunt across San Diego puts Stanley’s encyclopedic comics trivia to the ultimate test, with VIP passes to Comic Fest on the line.
  • Dealing with Anxiety: An honest and funny look at what it feels like to have an anxiety disorder, from fainting at school assemblies to creating your own personal safety superhero.
ISBN: 9780062445797
Imprint: HarperCollins
On Sale: Feb 6, 2018
List price: $21
No of pages: 288
Trim Size: 5.950 in (w) x 8.550 in (h) x 1.100 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
BISAC 2: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
BISAC 3: JUVENILE FICTION / School & Education

Sally J. Pla

Biography

Sally J. Pla is the author of four acclaimed novels—The Someday Birds; Stanley Will Probably Be Fine; The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn; and Invisible Isabel—and a picture book, Benji, the Bad Day, and Me. She is an autism/neurodiversity advocate who has worked as a business journalist and in public education. She lives with her family in Southern California, not too far from the ocean. Visit her online at sallyjpla.com.

Steve Wolfhard

Biography

Steve Wolfhard was born in Ontario, Canada, and has been drawing comics since he graduated from animation college. Steve has a fat barn cat named Haircut, whom he loves but does not like. The first zombie movie Steve ever saw was Return of the Living Dead, and it still scares the crud out of him.

A New York Public Library Best Kids Book of 2018 * A Kirkus Best Book of 2018 * A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of 2019

This funny and moving second novel from the author of The Someday Birds features comic trivia, a safety superhero, and a super-cool scavenger hunt all over downtown San Diego, as our young hero Stanley Fortinbras grapples with social anxiety—and learns what, exactly, it means to be brave.

Nobody knows comics trivia like Stanley knows comics trivia.

It’s what he takes comfort in when the world around him and his chaotic family life get to be too much. And after he faints during a safety assembly, Stanley takes his love of comics up a level by inventing his own imaginary superhero, named John Lockdown, to help him through.

Help is what he needs, because Stanley’s entered Trivia Quest—a giant comics-trivia scavenger hunt adventure—to prove he can tackle his worries, score VIP passes to Comic Fest, and win back his ex-best friend. Partnered with his fearless new neighbor Liberty, Stanley faces his most epic, overwhelming, challenging day ever.

What would John Lockdown do?

Stanley’s about to find out.

  • Friendship Stories for Kids: To win back his ex-best friend, Stanley has to team up with his fearless new neighbor, Liberty, putting a new and unexpected partnership to the test.
  • Finding Bravery and Courage: When the world gets too overwhelming, Stanley invents an imaginary superhero sidekick, John Lockdown, to help him face his fears one challenge at a time.
  • For Kids Who Love Comic Books: A massive scavenger hunt across San Diego puts Stanley’s encyclopedic comics trivia to the ultimate test, with VIP passes to Comic Fest on the line.
  • Dealing with Anxiety: An honest and funny look at what it feels like to have an anxiety disorder, from fainting at school assemblies to creating your own personal safety superhero.

ISBN: 9780062445797
Imprint: HarperCollins
On Sale: Feb 6, 2018
List price: $21
No of pages: 288
Trim Size: 5.950 in (w) x 8.550 in (h) x 1.100 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
BISAC 2: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
BISAC 3: JUVENILE FICTION / School & Education

Sally J. Pla

Biography

Sally J. Pla is the author of four acclaimed novels—The Someday Birds; Stanley Will Probably Be Fine; The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn; and Invisible Isabel—and a picture book, Benji, the Bad Day, and Me. She is an autism/neurodiversity advocate who has worked as a business journalist and in public education. She lives with her family in Southern California, not too far from the ocean. Visit her online at sallyjpla.com.

Steve Wolfhard

Biography

Steve Wolfhard was born in Ontario, Canada, and has been drawing comics since he graduated from animation college. Steve has a fat barn cat named Haircut, whom he loves but does not like. The first zombie movie Steve ever saw was Return of the Living Dead, and it still scares the crud out of him.