Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough

Maeve Mulvaney goes from “family raincloud” to Feminist Superhero in this upper middle grade novel perfect for fans of Carrie Firestone, Julie Murphy, and Barbara Dee.

Fourteen-year-old Maeve feels more at home in the pages of her comics and sketchbook than she does in "Nowhereville" (her maybe-not-so-nice nickname for the small Florida town where her family just moved). In the comic-book version of her life, she's a brave superhero who always bests the bad guys. In reality? Not so much. 

When a bully at her new school makes her life miserable over her weight (and a sexist teacher defends him), Maeve isn’t sure what to do. Her mom thinks she should just cheer up, brush it off, and stay positive. But then Maeve hears from other misfit eighth graders who are also being picked on, and she decides that enough is enough.

Drawing inspiration from her comics, Maeve creates a feminist superhero club, hoping she and her new friends can inspire meaningful change in their community. But it turns out, fighting back without becoming the bully yourself is harder than it seems…

This heartfelt and uplifting novel serves as a sweet reminder that heroes are stronger together, that home is where you make it, and that the greatest superpower you have is your voice.

"Maeve & co. represent a younger generation that doesn’t need to have it all figured out to want better for themselves and others." —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

A Jane Addams Children’s Book Award FinalistMaeve & co. represent a younger generation that doesn’t need to have it all figured out to want better for themselves and others.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

Mangan debuts with a spirited, layered novel centering middle school activism. . . an affirming, fat- positive story that validates all kinds of feelings and ways to be.
—Publishers Weekly

A captivating, blisteringly realistic exploration of middle school activism.
—Kirkus Reviews

[This book] gives tween readers some actionable pathways to activism themselves, emphasizing the importance of doing the most good you can, right where you are.
—BooklistKelly Mangan is an author and illustrator of children's books with humor, heart, and social justice themes. Over the past twenty years, she has worked as a women's rights activist, a union organizer, and a political director for various progressive candidates and causes. Originally from the South, she now lives in snowy Vermont with her partner and two kids.