Faith: Taking Flight

From Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’, comes the first in a two-book origin story of Faith, a groundbreaking, plus-sized superhero from the Valiant Entertainment comics.

Faith Herbert is a pretty regular teen. When she’s not hanging out with her two best friends, Matt and Ches, she’s volunteering at the local animal shelter or obsessing over the long-running teen drama The Grove.

So far, her senior year has been spent trying to sort out her feelings for her maybe-crush Johnny and making plans to stay close to Grandma Lou after graduation. Of course, there’s also that small matter of recently discovering she can fly…

When the fictional world of The Grove crashes into Faith’s reality as the show relocates to her town, she can’t believe it when TV heroine Dakota Ash takes a romantic interest in her.

But her fandom-fueled daydreams aren’t enough to distract Faith from the fact that first animals, then people, have begun to vanish from the town. Only Faith seems able to connect the dots to a new designer drug infiltrating her high school.

But when her investigation puts the people she loves in danger, she will have to confront her hidden past and use her newfound gifts—risking everything to save her friends and beloved town.

Plus don't miss the follow-up, Faith: Greater Heights!

Can a teen fangirl become the hero her town desperately needs?

• Body Positive Hero: Faith Herbert isn’t just a fan of heroes—she’s about to become one, proving you don’t need a specific body type to save the world.
• LGBTQ Romance: A celebrity crush becomes reality when TV star Dakota Ash shows up in town and is interested in more than just an autograph.
• Small Town Mystery: When pets and then people start disappearing, Faith must connect the dots between the vanishings and a dangerous new drug infiltrating her high school.
• Secret Identity: Between crushes and hanging out with her best friends Matt and Ches, Faith has to hide the biggest secret of all: she can fly.
• Fandom Culture: A story that perfectly captures the fangirl experience when the fictional TV show Faith obsesses over, The Grove, begins filming right in her hometown.

“[A] richly enjoyable novel...a clever and funny book to please lovers of thoughtful romance and secret pageant fans.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Praise for PUDDIN’: “This companion to the very popular Dumplin’ introduces more memorable characters for whom readers can’t help but cheer.” - School Library Journal

“Julie Murphy has created the platonic love story of a lifetime. I am wildly in love with Puddin’.” - Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Leah on the Offbeat and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Murphy’s plot brims with unlikely friendships, irresistible romance, fabulous fat acceptance, and a kick-ass ending. Buoying.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Murphy’s energetic writing style makes for compulsive readability.” - ALA Booklist

“Texans and non-Texans alike will appreciate getting to know two strong-minded Lone Star girls.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Body positive and deliciously keyed into fandom. Readers will flock to this inclusive romp.” - ALA Booklist

"Putting a queer spin on a tale as old as time, Julie Murphy proves that everyone can be a superhero – no matter their size, gender, or sexual orientation – at heart, we all have the power to make the world a better place!" - The Nerd Daily

“This #OwnVoices genre and format mashup is fun and memorable, and should produce legions of new Faith superfans.” - School Library Journal (starred review)

Praise for DUMPLIN’: “Will’s singular voice compels readers to think about all that goes into building-and destroying-self-esteem...Splendid” - ALA Booklist (starred review)

“Murphy...successfully makes every piece of the story—Dolly Parton superfans, first love, best-friend problems, an unlikely group of pageant entrants, female solidarity, self-acceptance, and Willowdean’s complicated relationship with the mother...-count, weaving them together to create a harmonious, humorous, and thought-provoking whole.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Genuine, romantic, and with a dash of Texan charm, this is a novel that celebrates being who you are while also acknowledging that it’s incredibly difficult to do.” - The Horn Book

“As in all her work, Murphy’s portrayal of a plus-size protagonist is nuanced and heartfelt…. Destined for great heights.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Faith is an awesome, crime-stopping superhero.” - People

“This is a superhero done right.”