Elle Campbell Wins Their Weekend - by Ben Kahn (Hardcover)

About the Book

Elle Campbell is a non-binary seventh-grader who is excited their hero non-binary star Nuri Grena is coming to their town for a book signing--it was Nuri's story that inspired Elle to declare themselves and they are not about to let detention stop them and their friends from meeting Nuri.

Book Synopsis

Ferris Bueller's Day Off meets Gamer Girl for middle grade in this hilarious, heartfelt story about a non-binary kid trying to figure out who they are at home, at school, and in the fandom that changed their life.

All Elle Campbell wants to do is meet their hero, non-binary icon Nuri Grena. Well, okay, they'd like a bit more than that -- they'd like to learn how to do cat eye makeup, for queen bee Casey to stop critiquing their outfits, and for the finale of Elle's favorite show to have been less terrible. But meeting Nuri means the most of all.

So when Elle learns that Nuri is coming to town for book signing on Saturday, Elle is thrilled. It's the perfect chance to meet their hero! Elle's never been happier since they came out as non-binary, but they have a lot of questions -- questions only Nuri can answer.

But Elle's dreams are dashed when an altercation with a surly substitute teacher lands Elle in Saturday detention. Elle is ready to give up until their two best friends come up with a plan to bust them out of school. A plan so outrageous, it just might work.

Yet that's just step one. The kids also have to make their way across town with no money, no phones... and no driver's licenses. But they refuse to give up -- even if that means "borrowing" scooters from elementary school loan sharks, or winning a laser tag tournament with a cash prize.

Comic-author Ben Kahn makes their middle grade debut with this zany, heartfelt love letter to friendship, John Hughes movies, and the power of accepting who you are . . . even when there's no set map for where you're going.

Review Quotes

Praise for Elle Campbell Wins Their Weekend:

*"Sensitively rendered, introspective scenes amid the tweens' adrenaline-fueled adventure showcase Elle's changing relationships with family, friends, and themself, and highlight how fandom impacts their identity in this unique treatise on how the things one loves often allow for internal reflection." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Ben Kahn is an Ignatz-nominated writer working in New York City with decades of experience writing for comics and videogames. Ben divides their time between working on their latest comic book projects, and playing with a kitty who would really rather be left alone.