PW Fall 2026 Preview: Top 10 Middle Grade
★ “A thrilling tale teeming with richly wrought details . . . Equal parts survival story and homage to sisterhood, it’s a standout.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “A moving, emotionally resonant novel about grief, sisterhood, and survival . . . Safadi skillfully intertwines the external dangers of the blizzard with the sisters’ internal battles.”
—Booklist, starred review
“The sister’s hard-won victories remind us that the challenges of being human are best faced with trust, love, and the comfort of family.”
—Megan E. Freeman, New York Times bestselling author of Alone and Away
“An absolutely thrilling story, gorgeously written.”
—Christina Soontornvat, three-time Newbery Honoree
“Punchy verse, high emotions, and a terrifying blizzard make this gripping tale of sisterhood a must-read for any survival fans.”
—Andrea Beatriz Arango, Newbery Honor author of Iveliz Explains It All
“This story reminds us how we cannot forgive and love others fully until we first forgive and love ourselves.”
—Allan Wolf, author of The Watch that Ends the Night and Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom.
“An action-packed novel in verse seeped in narrative tension.”
—Cordelia Jensen, author of Lilac and the Switchback
“A thoughtful depiction of sisterhood and loss, elevated by its deliberate use of form.”
—Kirkus
“A powerful tale of being broken by grief and healed through love.”
—Horn Book
