Book Descriptions
for Next Stop by Debbie Fong
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
The Sunset Tours desert bus tour culminates in a visit to the purportedly magical Cessarine Lake, which draws individuals who are, for one reason or another, seeking a miracle. Pia (Asian American) is one such traveler; the miracle she seeks is gradually revealed as the story unfolds. Traveling without parental supervision, Pia befriends Sam (white) and gets to know other families in the group during stops at gimmicky tourist traps like the World’s Smallest Corn Maze, the Stairway to Nowhere, and a cactus-themed amusement park. Sepia-colored flashbacks to the preceding months show Pia and her parents navigating her mother’s severe depression following the accidental death of Pia’s little brother, Ben. When she reaches the underground lake, Pia places one of Ben’s action figures in the water, hoping against hope that the lake’s magic will somehow fix the tragedy that Pia believes is her fault: Ben drowned on her watch. Deftly balancing quirky humor with deep emotion, this heartfelt graphic novel explores grief, guilt, and the gentle healing power of friendship.
CCBC Choices 2025. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2025. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
Get ready for a graphic novel road trip with more than just a few bumps in the road!
Middle schooler Pia is dealing with grief as she finds herself on the biggest adventure of her life--a bus tour stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. Inspired by a real life road trip and touching on tough topics, but filled with warmth and humor-- Next Stop is a “remarkable debut." (The Horn Book) about family, friendship, and moving on.
A BOOKPAGE AND HORN BOOK BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
• A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY
Pia is a soft-spoken middle schooler whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her younger brother, followed by her parents’ decision to move to a new town. In an effort to get her mind off of the troubles at home, Pia goes on a bus tour with a family friend, stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. The final destination: a mysterious underground lake. The locals say it has magical powers; Pia won’t admit she believes in it, but she’s holding on to hope that the waters may hold the answer to mending her broken family.
The trip is much more than the final stop. The friendships that Pia makes along the way are just as valuable as the destination itself. Next Stop explores grief, resilience, and learning how to laugh again. Debbie Fong weaves together an incredibly strong debut filled with humor and heart, with a splash of mystery and magic.
Middle schooler Pia is dealing with grief as she finds herself on the biggest adventure of her life--a bus tour stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. Inspired by a real life road trip and touching on tough topics, but filled with warmth and humor-- Next Stop is a “remarkable debut." (The Horn Book) about family, friendship, and moving on.
A BOOKPAGE AND HORN BOOK BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
• A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY
Pia is a soft-spoken middle schooler whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her younger brother, followed by her parents’ decision to move to a new town. In an effort to get her mind off of the troubles at home, Pia goes on a bus tour with a family friend, stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. The final destination: a mysterious underground lake. The locals say it has magical powers; Pia won’t admit she believes in it, but she’s holding on to hope that the waters may hold the answer to mending her broken family.
The trip is much more than the final stop. The friendships that Pia makes along the way are just as valuable as the destination itself. Next Stop explores grief, resilience, and learning how to laugh again. Debbie Fong weaves together an incredibly strong debut filled with humor and heart, with a splash of mystery and magic.
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
