Gary D. Schmidt is the bestselling author of The Labors of Hercules Beal; Just Like That; National Book Award finalist Okay for Now; Pay Attention, Carter Jones; Orbiting Jupiter; the Newbery Honor and Printz Honor Book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy; and the Newbery Honor Book The Wednesday Wars. He is also coauthor, with Ron Koertge, of Styx and Stones. He lives in rural Michigan.Ron Koertge is the author of many acclaimed novels for young people, including Stoner & Spaz and Shakespeare Bats Cleanup, and most recently is coauthor, with Gary D. Schmidt, of Styx and Stones. A two-time winner of the PEN Award, Ron lives in South Pasadena, California, where he is currently the city’s poet laureate.

Summer Reads 2025 — Publishers WeeklyMost Anticipated Middle Grade Reads of 2025 — School Library Journal"A sandy slice-of-life treat, rich in feeling and insight."  — Kirkus Reviews"A lovely book to read while under an umbrella, people watching on a lazy afternoon laying on the beach." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books"The array of stories asks the reader to laugh, worry, and love while also providing a realized community that invites them in. Heart-wrenching and robust." — Booklist"This multi-viewpoint narrative highlighting tween interactions among family and friends will be enjoyed by many readers."  — School Library Journal

Gary D. Schmidt is the bestselling author of The Labors of Hercules Beal; Just Like That; National Book Award finalist Okay for Now; Pay Attention, Carter Jones; Orbiting Jupiter; the Newbery Honor and Printz Honor Book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy; and the Newbery Honor Book The Wednesday Wars. He is also coauthor, with Ron Koertge, of Styx and Stones. He lives in rural Michigan.Ron Koertge is the author of many acclaimed novels for young people, including Stoner & Spaz and Shakespeare Bats Cleanup, and most recently is coauthor, with Gary D. Schmidt, of Styx and Stones. A two-time winner of the PEN Award, Ron lives in South Pasadena, California, where he is currently the city’s poet laureate.

Summer Reads 2025 — Publishers WeeklyMost Anticipated Middle Grade Reads of 2025 — School Library Journal"A sandy slice-of-life treat, rich in feeling and insight."  — Kirkus Reviews"A lovely book to read while under an umbrella, people watching on a lazy afternoon laying on the beach." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books"The array of stories asks the reader to laugh, worry, and love while also providing a realized community that invites them in. Heart-wrenching and robust." — Booklist"This multi-viewpoint narrative highlighting tween interactions among family and friends will be enjoyed by many readers."  — School Library Journal