The Art of Saving the World

Gr 9 Up–A fantasy adventure blended with a coming-of-age story. Hazel Stanczak, who is white, has never left her small Pennsylvania town due to the interdimensional rift that appeared near her home the day she was born. She struggles with finding herself and questions her sexuality. On her 16th birthday, everything changes when Hazel is called to save the world from an apparent apocalypse. Hazel is joined by other versions of herself with varying character traits from different dimensions, and is forced to overcome her fears by exploring her world and the various versions of her personality, all while closing this rift. Along the way, Hazel and her doppelgängers, along with a team of government researchers and a wise old dragon, battle trolls, defy authority, and believe they can save the world. Throughout the story, Hazel grows from an insecure teen to a confident hero, more comfortable in her own skin and in expressing herself. The main characters are unique and empowering, and sure to entertain. Duyvis is a cofounder of the website Disability in Kidlit and the creator of the #OwnVoices hashtag.