The Magnificent Mya Tibbs: Mya in the Middle

The third book in the hilarious middle-grade series about Mya, the cowgirl-loving fourth grader—perfect for fans of Ramona the Pest and Clementine. 

Things have changed in the Tibbs house, and Mya isn’t happy about it. She’s stuck in the middle between an exceptionally cute baby sister and an exceptionally smart older brother. And her tired parents seem to only notice the “exceptional” kids in the house.

So when a class project lassoes Mya into starting her own school newspaper, she’s sure this will earn her the star status she wants from her parents. But the same project also gives Mya’s archenemy, Naomi Jackson, a chance to prove she is a better friend to the twins, Skye and Starr, than Mya is . . . and soon Mya feels caught in the middle again, just like at home. Good gravy in the navy!

When Mya makes a monumental mistake in an effort to celebrate the twins, she stands to lose everything, including their friendship. Now she has to figure out how to get back in the saddle, grab those reins, and gallop her way toward fixing everything.

Can a school newspaper and a whole lot of cowgirl grit help her prove she’s special, too?

• A Relatable Middle Child Story: Mya feels invisible next to her cute baby sister and smart older brother. This is a hilarious and heartfelt tale for any kid who's ever felt stuck in the middle.
• School Life and Shenanigans: When a class project challenges students to start their own businesses, Mya launches a school newspaper to make her mark—and maybe get her parents' attention.
• Friendship and Frenemies: Just when she needs her best friends Skye and Starr the most, Mya's archenemy Naomi Jackson shows up to stir up trouble and test their friendship.
• Lots of Laughs and Heart: Filled with cowgirl attitude and Mya's signature “Good gravy in the navy!” exclamations, this story is perfect for fans of funny and realistic fiction for kids.

Praise for THE MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS: SPIRIT WEEK SHOWDOWN: “Endearing” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for THE MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS: SPIRIT WEEK SHOWDOWN: “[A] winning series debut.” - Booklist

Praise for THE MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS: THE WALL OF FAME GAME: “Hilarious...with a charming cast of characters that readers will be eager to follow.” - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for THE MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS: SPIRIT WEEK SHOWDOWN: “Nuanced depictions of friendship coupled with larger-than-life and fully three-dimensional characters make this delightful book at once thoughtful and a riot to read.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Praise for THE MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS: SPIRIT WEEK SHOWDOWN: “Spunky, sweet hearted, and full of fun, Mya will have readers everywhere yelling ‘Yee-haw’!” - Varian Johnson, author of The Great Greene Heist

Praise for THE MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS: SPIRIT WEEK SHOWDOWN: “A big-hearted, high-spirited, cowboy-booted heroine…The story’s vivid small-town setting and memorable characters will have many readers looking forward to more Mya.” - Publishers Weekly

Praise for HOW LAMAR’S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: “Under all the braggadocio is a boy with a big heart, and from the first sentence Lamar will have readers hooked.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Praise for HOW LAMAR’S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: “This stands out for its unusual setting and smooth integration of friendship and family concerns. ” - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for HOW LAMAR’S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: “The powerful mix of sibling rivalry, revenge, and hard-won redemption strengthens the perennial appeal of the naïve-underdog-makes-good plot; readers will come for the laughs and stay for the laughs.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for HOW LAMAR’S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: “The tween book world has a new hero-Lamar Washington-as well as a brilliant new author who’s bound to win a Bubba-sized trophy herself!” - Neal Shusterman, author of The Schwa Was Here and Challenger Deep

“Allen lassoes another terrific tale for the Magnificent Mya Tibbs series.” - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for THE MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS: SPIRIT WEEK SHOWDOWN: “Looking for a book that sparkles with laughter and heart? Yippee kai-yay-here it is! Mya’s search for a true, not-fake friend will tickle your giggle bone and lasso your ticker. Everyone but everyone should have a friend like the magnetic and magnificent Mya Tibbs.” - Tricia Springstubb, author of Moonpenny Island and Cody and the Fountain of Happiness

Praise for THE MAGNIFICENT MYA TIBBS: SPIRIT WEEK SHOWDOWN: “In Spirit Week Showdown, earnest Mya, with her Texas charm and mounting friendship problems, kept me turning the pages all the way to the boo-yang cool finale. Trust me: you’ll want all your friends to read this one!” - Tracey Baptiste, author of The Jumbies, a School Library Journal selection

Praise for THE LAURA LINE: “The protagonist’s emotional transformation will resonate with readers. Generational bonds, notably the growth of the relationship between Laura and her grandmother, are beautifully depicted. With its humor and deep reverence for history, Allen’s novel is an engaging treatment of the oft-told tale of looking within for beauty and strength.” - School Library Journal

Praise for THE LAURA LINE: “This is a lively approach to an issue that’s come up recently in the news...and the historical aspect could help readers consider their own family lore that may not have made its way into written accounts.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for THE LAURA LINE: “Laura Dyson’s sweet, sassy voice draws you into this delightful story of self-discovery and acceptance, unwavering friendship and the deep roots of one amazing family.” - Donna Gephart, author of Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen

Praise for THE LAURA LINE: “Crystal Allen shows us how our relatives, even the ones we’ve never met, sometimes have a way of gently weaving a path to exactly who we’re meant to be, our truest and best self.” - Kathryn Fitzmaurice, author of The Year the Swallows Came Early