Next Stop

<b>Get ready for a graphic novel road trip with more than just a few bumps in the road! <p/>Middle schooler Pia is dealing with grief as she finds herself on the biggest adventure of her life--a bus tour stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. Inspired by a real life road trip and touching on tough topics but filled with warmth and humor-- Next Stop is a remarkable debut. (<i>The Horn Book</i>) about family friendship and moving on. <p/>A <i>BOOKPAGE </i>AND<i> HORN BOOK </i>BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR <br>- A<i> KIRKUS REVIEWS</i> BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY</b> <p/>Pia is a soft-spoken middle schooler whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her younger brother followed by her parents' decision to move to a new town. In an effort to get her mind off of the troubles at home Pia goes on a bus tour with a family friend stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. The final destination: a mysterious underground lake. The locals say it has magical powers; Pia won't admit she believes in it but she's holding on to hope that the waters may hold the answer to mending her broken family. <p/>The trip is much more than the final stop. The friendships that Pia makes along the way are just as valuable as the destination itself. <i>Next Stop</i> explores grief resilience and learning how to laugh again. Debbie Fong weaves together an incredibly strong debut filled with humor and heart with a splash of mystery and magic.