Next Stop - by Debbie Fong

About the Book

Still grieving her brother's death, Pia, a soft-spoken middle-schooler, embarks on a bus tour that changes her life.

Book Synopsis

Get ready for a graphic novel road trip with more than just a few bumps in the road!

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." (The Horn Book) about family, friendship, and moving on.

A BOOKPAGE AND HORN BOOK BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
- A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY

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.

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. Next Stop 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.

Review Quotes

"A nuanced and deeply felt exploration of grief, told with humor, magic, and a touch of mystery." --Andrea Wang, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Many Meanings of Meilan

"Full of gut-wrenching sadness and quiet, lovely moments, [Next Stop] will deeply immerse you in Pia's imperfect, impactful summer road trip." --Kristen Gudsnuk, author of Making Friends

"A heart wrenching journey that's well worth the trip." --Kayla Miller, author of New York Times bestseller Click

★ "With a sympathetic protagonist navigating unimaginable pain, fully realized and engaging secondary characters, and a skillfully crafted narrative, this is a remarkable debut." --The Horn Book, starred review

★ "A poignant story that delicately balances youthful delight and naïveté with profound mourning." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Mixing young friendship and whimsy with a depth of feeling as long as any highway, this introspective graphic novel should be the obvious next stop for middle grader readers looking for the weird and wonderful." --The Bulletin, starred review

★ "Endearing, heartbreaking, and uplifting in turns, Fong's unforgettable debut is a first purchase for youth graphic novel collections." --School Library Journal, starred review

"A reminder of the importance of friendship, family, and connection." --Publishers Weekly

"With its humor and poignancy mixed with moments of real magic, readers will find Pia's pilgrimage both hilarious and uplifting." --Booklist

"An immersive, empathetic tale of an important journey that sensitively explores grief and loss even as it celebrates friendship and new experiences." --BookPage

About the Author

Debbie Fong is an Ignatz-nominated comic artist and illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. She has illustrated multiple children's nonfiction books, including the best-selling How to Be a Person. She is also the artist behind POMMO Press, an online art shop selling prints, stationery, and other fun goods.