Chanel Miller discusses ‘The Moon Without Stars’ on our Spring Preview episode.

Chanel Miller joins us to discuss The Moon Without Stars (Philomel, Jan. 13) on this week’s special episode of Fully Booked, dedicated to the most anticipated titles of spring 2026. “After her zines launch her into the popular crowd, seventh grader Luna must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to stay there,” Kirkus writes, in a starred review of Miller’s latest middle-grade novel, proclaiming The Moon Without Stars “has the makings of a modern classic.”

Miller’s first children’s book, Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All, was a Newbery Honor winner and an instant New York Times bestseller. Her award-winning memoir, Know My Name, was also a New York Times bestseller. In 2019, she was named a TIME100 Next honoree and a Glamour Woman of the Year; in 2021, she was named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30. She has always dreamed of writing and illustrating children’s books.

Here’s a bit more from our starred review of The Moon Without Stars: “At an age when the awkwardness of simply existing is amplified by puberty, bookish Luna Noon enters middle school in the Bay Area feeling unremarkable. Eager to shed her self-perceived blandness, Luna, who’s white and Chinese American, turns to her closest (and only) friend, Scott Mango, to create zines that will shake things up. Blending Luna’s words with Scott’s drawings, the pair use their zines to bring comfort to students who are self-conscious about things like acne, eczema, periods, sexuality, and phobias. Soon, Luna’s writing catches the attention of the in crowd, who invite her to sit with them at lunch—with one catch. She must leave creative, sentimental Scott behind.…Authentic and raw, this story is at once a timeless account of growing up and a tale that’s specific to this generation. Readers will empathize with Luna’s sincere attempts to find herself and ache alongside her as she navigates her growing pains.”

In a wide-ranging conversation, Miller and I discuss the inspiration for the book, Luna’s relationship to language, graphic memoirist Miné Okubo, what Miller was like in middle school, her book-signing style, and much more.

Then editors Laura Simeon, Mahnaz Dar, John McMurtrie, and Laurie Muchnick recommend some of 2026’s most anticipated titles.

EDITORS’ PICKS:

When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri (Carolrhoda Lab)

Sashimi by Dan Santat (Roaring Brook Press)

London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe (Doubleday)

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Knopf)

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

50 Secrets Nobody Tells You in Hollywood by Mike Kimmel

The Compass Room by Mark James

Twelve Purposeful Immersions by Jess Barcco

The Last Wizard by Alex Mizgailo

Ruled by Fate by Sam Withrow & Amelia Pinkis

Fully Booked is produced by Cabel Adkins Audio and Megan Labrise.