Description

This funny and moving second novel from the Schneider Award–winning author of The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn features comic trivia, a safety superhero, and a super-cool scavenger hunt all over downtown San Diego as our young hero, Stanley Fortinbras, grapples with his anxiety—and learns what, exactly, it means to be brave.

Nobody knows comics trivia like Stanley knows comics trivia.

It’s what he takes comfort in when the world around him gets to be too much. And after he faints during a safety assembly, Stanley takes his love of comics up a level by inventing his own imaginary superhero, named John Lockdown, to help him through.

Help is what he needs, because Stanley’s entered Trivia Quest—a giant comics-trivia treasure hunt—to prove he can tackle his worries, score VIP passes to Comic Fest, and win back his ex-best friend. Partnered with his fearless new neighbor Liberty, Stanley faces his most epic, overwhelming, challenging day ever.

What would John Lockdown do?

Stanley’s about to find out.

A New York Public Library Best Kids Book * A Kirkus Best Book * A Bank Street Best Children's Book


  • Books for Kids with Anxiety: Stanley's world is full of sensory overload, but when he invents his own superhero, John Lockdown, he starts to find his own strength.
  • A Middle Grade Friendship Story: To win back his ex-best friend, Stanley must enter the biggest, most overwhelming comics trivia contest in San Diego.
  • Unlikely Friendship: He’s partnered with Liberty, the fearless new girl next door who climbs trees and isn't afraid of anything. Can she help him be brave?
  • Finding Your Voice: A funny and heartfelt journey about a quiet kid learning to face his fears, stand up to his brother, and become the hero of his own story.

About the author(s)

Sally J. Pla is the author of four acclaimed novels—The Someday Birds; Stanley Will Probably Be Fine; The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn; and Invisible Isabel—and a picture book, Benji, the Bad Day, and Me. She is an autism/neurodiversity advocate who has worked as a business journalist and in public education. She lives with her family in Southern California, not too far from the ocean. Visit her online at sallyjpla.com.

Steve Wolfhard was born in Ontario, Canada, and has been drawing comics since he graduated from animation college. Steve has a fat barn cat named Haircut, whom he loves but does not like. The first zombie movie Steve ever saw was Return of the Living Dead, and it still scares the crud out of him.

Reviews

“An excellent addition to promote social-emotional learning.” - School Library Journal

★ “[Stanley is] a multidimensional character of great depth who gradually learns how to calm his worried mind. Add to the growing list of intelligent books about kids whose brains operate outside the norm.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Stanley’s anxiety and sensory processing disorder are portrayed in a sensitive and relatable way. Refreshing.” - Booklist

“Comics fans and young readers who experience the world more intensely than their peers will love this one.” - BookPage.com

“In Stanley Will Probably Be Fine, Sally J. Pla captures the challenges of moving through a world that can sometimes feel too big to face and introduces a character that readers cannot help but root for. A fun, vibrant story full of humanity and heart!” - Booki Vivat, New York Times bestselling author of Frazzled

“Stanley Fortinbras is a master of superhero lore, an artist, a kid who deeply feels the impact of his surroundings, and a protagonist with enough heart and soul for a thousand comic-con attendees. Readers of Stanley Will Probably Be Fine will be much more than fine; they’ll be elated.” - Mike Jung, author of Unidentified Suburban Object

“Stanley is an eminently lovable underdog!” - Leslie Connor, author of All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook and The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle

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