Stanley Will Probably Be Fine

A New York Public Library Best Kids Book of 2018 * A Kirkus Best Book of 2018 * A Bank Street Best Children's Book of 2019

This funny and moving second novel from the author of The Someday Birds features comic trivia, a safety superhero, and a super-cool scavenger hunt all over downtown San Diego, as our young hero Stanley Fortinbras grapples with social anxiety—and learns what, exactly, it means to be brave.

Nobody knows comics trivia like Stanley knows comics trivia.

It’s what he takes comfort in when the world around him and his chaotic family life get to be too much. And after he faints during a safety assembly, Stanley takes his love of comics up a level by inventing his own imaginary superhero, named John Lockdown, to help him through.

Help is what he needs, because Stanley’s entered Trivia Quest—a giant comics-trivia scavenger hunt adventure—to prove he can tackle his worries, score VIP passes to Comic Fest, and win back his ex-best friend. Partnered with his fearless new neighbor Liberty, Stanley faces his most epic, overwhelming, challenging day ever.

What would John Lockdown do?

Stanley’s about to find out.

• Friendship Stories for Kids: To win back his ex-best friend, Stanley has to team up with his fearless new neighbor, Liberty, putting a new and unexpected partnership to the test.
• Finding Bravery and Courage: When the world gets too overwhelming, Stanley invents an imaginary superhero sidekick, John Lockdown, to help him face his fears one challenge at a time.
• For Kids Who Love Comic Books: A massive scavenger hunt across San Diego puts Stanley’s encyclopedic comics trivia to the ultimate test, with VIP passes to Comic Fest on the line.
• Dealing with Anxiety: An honest and funny look at what it feels like to have an anxiety disorder, from fainting at school assemblies to creating your own personal safety superhero.

“An excellent addition to promote social-emotional learning.” - School Library Journal

★ “[Stanley is] a multidimensional character of great depth who gradually learns how to calm his worried mind. Add to the growing list of intelligent books about kids whose brains operate outside the norm.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Stanley’s anxiety and sensory processing disorder are portrayed in a sensitive and relatable way. Refreshing.” - Booklist

“Comics fans and young readers who experience the world more intensely than their peers will love this one.” - BookPage.com

“In Stanley Will Probably Be Fine, Sally J. Pla captures the challenges of moving through a world that can sometimes feel too big to face and introduces a character that readers cannot help but root for. A fun, vibrant story full of humanity and heart!” - Booki Vivat, New York Times bestselling author of Frazzled

“Stanley Fortinbras is a master of superhero lore, an artist, a kid who deeply feels the impact of his surroundings, and a protagonist with enough heart and soul for a thousand comic-con attendees. Readers of Stanley Will Probably Be Fine will be much more than fine; they’ll be elated.” - Mike Jung, author of Unidentified Suburban Object

“Stanley is an eminently lovable underdog!” - Leslie Connor, author of All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook and The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle