Insiders

Description: Twelve-year-old Hâector Muänoz, fleeing from bullies, discovers a magical closet that not only provides him sanctuary, but also unites him with two other kids facing similar problems at their own schools, helping them find friendship and strength in each other.

Brief description:

Mark Oshiro is the award-winning author of the young adult books Anger Is a Gift (Schneider Family Book Award) and Each of Us a Desert as well as their middle grade debut, The Insiders. They are also the coauthor (with Rick Riordan) of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel The Sun and the Star. When not writing, they are trying to pet every dog in the world. Visit them online at markoshiro.com.

Review Quotes:

"Sometimes hilarious, sometimes devastating, but always full of heart, The Insiders carves out a space for us all to be our true selves." - Kwame Mbalia, New York Times bestselling author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

"The story about finding your place and your people that I wish I'd had as a kid. Héctor has my whole heart and I want to hug him and keep him close, but he belongs out in the world where he can inspire readers to honor themselves." - New York Times bestselling author Adam Silvera

"A classic in the making." - Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles

"Heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny. The perfect adventure for anyone who's ever felt they didn't fit in, with characters that jump off the page, pull you in, and don't let go." - Claribel A. Ortega, author of Ghost Squad and the Witchlings series

"A transportive and magical world made for kids who are true to themselves and misfits at heart. Mark Oshiro's debut middle grade is a must-read!" - Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of Labyrinth Lost and The Way to Rio Luna

"Achingly funny, relatable, and heartfelt." - John David Anderson, author of Ms. Bixby's Last Day

"Oshiro's intersectional saga conveys a strong message about letting go of secrets and, with help from loved ones, reclaiming space." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"[An] empowering novel, filled with knotty but relatable problems for its empathetic characters to solve." - Booklist

"[A] brave and earnest quest for happiness and belonging set among a richly diverse cast of characters. Sweet and full of heart." - Kirkus Reviews

"With its modern dialogue, engaging cast, and painfully real depictions of bullying, this middle-grade debut is written with an expert hand." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Bright and encouraging. Many readers will find resonance in this magical tale." - School Library Journal

"An appreciation of intersectional identity and a story of resilience." - Horn Book Magazine