THE MIGHTY MACY

Macy lifts her voice as she attempts to save her school library in Newbery Medalist Alexander’s latest novel in verse.

On her birthday, Macy receives an “unputdownable” book—the first of the Mighty Zora series. She’d love to go straight to the library to check out Book 2, but she’s stuck practicing violin, listening to her little brother’s freestyle rapping, and doing homework assigned by her poet father. When she finally makes it to the school library, there’s a “CLOSED” sign on the door. Outraged, Macy learns of an upcoming school board meeting about budget cuts, so she rallies fellow students. But she struggles with nerves as she attempts to pen a poem to express her feelings at the meeting. Alexander’s lyrical free verse paints Macy as relatable and funny and gives each character their own arc, especially her playful and joyous father (perhaps a reflection of the author). Inventive visual design aids in the storytelling, with words stretching, shrinking, and scattering across the page in bursts of motion. Dynamic black-and-white spot illustrations imbue Macy and her world with softness and humor while portraying her as a force to be reckoned with; her initial fears will resonate with readers, who will cheer her each step of the way. Macy and all primary characters are Black.

Unputdownable.