Ella Josephine: Resident in Charge: Book 2

The second book in bestselling author Nina LaCour's delightful chapter book series for young readers.

"LaCour's ... series is cozy and classic-feeling ... Ella's curiosity and gregariousness are infectious, and she'll easily sweep readers into her charming world." ―Booklist

Ella and her neighbors on Poppy Hill are back with more mischief and bighearted fun!

The apartment house on Poppy Hill is inhabited by residents who are as much family as they are neighbors. Luckily, nine-year-old Ella is there to help everyone through all their ups and downs. She knows about the glitchy lights, the nighttime noises, the secret spaces, and each neighbor's hopes and dreams. She even knows the mysterious Robinsons, who live on the top floor and are now her silent partners in making sure that the apartment house is the perfect place to live.

Highlighted by lively illustrations throughout, the second book in the Ella Josephine series by bestselling author Nina LaCour celebrates community, friendship, family, and home. It is a place of noticing the small details that make a difference, keeping surprises secret, and making everyone feel welcome. Here, the eccentric joy of Armistead Maupin's Tales of The City merges seamlessly with the antic fun of Ivy + Bean, the family tenderness of The Penderwicks, and the madcap adventure of Eloise in an irresistible book that will leave readers eager for the next one!

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SERIES: The Apartment House on Poppy Hill, the first book in the series, got lots of love from readers and reviewers who celebrated its charm, diversity, and heartwarming storyline! It was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month and one of the Top 20 Children's Books (Ages 6-8).

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR: Nina LaCour is a highly acclaimed author of bestselling YA and adult novels. This is her first series for younger readers. The charming characters and their stories were conjured by LaCour and her young daughter during the long walks they took through San Francisco during the early days of Covid-19 and inspired by the people they encountered along the way.

HILARIOUSLY UNIVERSAL: Ella is a strong protagonist that readers of all ages and genders will love. She is bighearted, curious, and just a tad mischievous.

DIVERSE CAST OF CHARACTERS: Featuring many different family structures, this story is wonderfully diverse and inclusive. Any reader can imagine themselves living at 1106 Wildflower Place.

Perfect for:

• Parents, teachers, and librarians
• Readers who love Nina LaCour's books and such bestselling series as Ivy + Bean, Clementine, Judy Moody, and Junie B. Jones
• Gift-givers looking for entertaining chapter books for kids who enjoy stories full of humor and heart

Author: Nina Lacour
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 06/10/2025
Pages: 148
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.10h x 6.40w x 0.80d
ISBN: 9781797213743
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 02/01/2025
Booklist 06/01/2025 pg. 86
School Library Journal 10/01/2025 pg. 50

About the Author
Nina LaCour is the bestselling and award-winning author of the acclaimed young adult novels We Are Okay, which received the Printz Award and was selected by Time Magazine as one of its 100 Best YA Books of All Time, Hold Still, The Disenchantments, and Everything Leads to You, as well as the adult novel Yerba Buena. Born and raised in the East Bay, LaCour crossed the bridge to receive her undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University and then crossed back to Oakland to receive an MFA in Creative Writing at Mills College. She now lives in San Francisco with her wife and their daughter.

Sònia Albert worked in a comic studio for several years before pursuing her MA in Children's Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. She loves to tell stories and enjoys experimenting with different media. She has illustrated many children's books for publishers in the United Kingdom and Europe. Born in Barcelona, she currently lives in Mataró, Spain.