When 16 children in one neighborhood take on superhero personas, stories unfold in their extended imaginary play. Using cardboard and bits of scrap to make their costumes, they transform themselves into the Huntress, the Mad Scientist, the Big Banshee, the Gargoyle, etc., and choose up sides for their mock backyard battles. This graphic novel switches back and forth between their fantasy world and their daily lives in which they create their cardboard constructions. This device is effective at portraying their shared imaginary world but, along with the shifting points of view from chapter to chapter, does require a bit more work at reading the pictures than most graphic novels for middle- grade readers. But for those willing to study the illustrations and put in the work, the rewards are great, including humor, family drama, and peer conflicts and social hierarchies that will resonate with most children. The diverse cast of characters includes kids of different ethnicities, sizes, and gender identities. (Ages 8–11)

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier, Awkward, and All's Faire in Middle School, this graphic novel follows a neighborhood of kids who transform ordinary cardboard into fantastical homemade costumes as they explore conflicts with friends, family, and their own identity.

"A breath of fresh air, this tender and dynamic collection is a must-have." --Kirkus, Starred

Welcome to a neighborhood of kids who transform ordinary boxes into colorful costumes, and their ordinary block into cardboard kingdom. This is the summer when sixteen kids encounter knights and rogues, robots and monsters--and their own inner demons--on one last quest before school starts again.

In the Cardboard Kingdom, you can be anything you want to be--imagine that!

The Cardboard Kingdom was created, organized, and drawn by Chad Sell with writing from ten other authors: Jay Fuller, David DeMeo, Katie Schenkel, Kris Moore, Molly Muldoon, Vid Alliger, Manuel Betancourt, Michael Cole, Cloud Jacobs, and Barbara Perez Marquez. The Cardboard Kingdom affirms the power of imagination and play during the most important years of adolescent identity-searching and emotional growth.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY KIRKUS REVIEWS * THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY * SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL * A TEXAS BLUEBONNET 2019-20 MASTER LIST SELECTION

"There's room for everyone inside The Cardboard Kingdom, where friendship and imagination reign supreme." --Ingrid Law, New York Times bestselling author of Savvy

"A timely and colorful graphic novel debut that, like its many offbeat but on-point characters, marches to the beat of its own cardboard drum." --Tim Federle, award-winning author of Better Nate Than Ever