Moonwalking

Ages 10 to 14

For fans of Jason Reynolds and Jacqueline Woodson, here is a middle-grade story in verse about a white autistic boy and an Afro-Latinx kid as they become friends for a season in 1980s Brooklyn.

Punk rock–loving JJ Pankowski can't seem to fit in at his new school in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, as one of the only white kids. Pie Velez, a math and history geek by day and graffiti artist by night, is eager to follow in his idol Jean-Michel Basquiat's footsteps. The boys stumble into an unlikely friendship, swapping notes on their love of music and art, which sees them through a difficult semester at school and at home. But a run-in with the cops threatens to unravel it all.

Moonwalking is a stunning exploration of class, cross-racial friendships, and two boys' search for belonging in a city that is as tumultuous and beautiful as their hearts.

About the Author

Zetta Elliott is a Black feminist writer of poetry, plays, essays, novels, and stories for children. Her most recent picture book, A Place Inside of Me, is a Caldecott Honor Book. She lives in West Philadelphia. zettaelliott.com

Lyn Miller-Lachmann is an author, teacher, and librarian. As an adult, she was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome and delves into her diagnosis often in her writing. She and her husband divide their time between New York City and Lisbon, Portugal. lynmillerlachmann.com