{"product_id":"stepping-up-a-graphic-memoir-9780063254534","title":"Stepping Up: A Graphic Memoir","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A balm to my soul.\"--Jen Wang, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Prince and the Dressmaker\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA timely and vibrant teen graphic novel memoir about community, friendship, and self-discovery told through the eyes of a high school freshman Kiara, one of the few Black students at her predominantly white boarding school--perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eAlmost American Girl\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBrownstone!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKiara is a long way from Washington Heights. She's at Phillips Academy Andover--the prestigious school of her dreams. But her bulky financial aid laptop in a room full of brand-new Macs, her classmates' endless chatter about overseas vacations, and everyone's pristine North Face jackets have her feeling like she'll never fit in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThen she discovers the all-star step team, SLAM. Kiara will gladly endure long practices, sore muscles, and chafed palms to finally find her place on campus. That is, until tragedy strikes and those closest to her are hurt, and she realizes exactly what it means to be an Andover student.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause at a school where her wealthy white classmates can get away with almost anything and students like her are made to feel lucky to even be at the academy to begin with, is belonging really what Kiara wants? And is she brave enough to step up--for herself and her friends?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Kiara Valdez\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Harperalley\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/04\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 240\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.45lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.10h x 6.10w x 0.90d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780063254534\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAudience:\u003c\/b\u003e Young Adult\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/18\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/15\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/10\/2026 pg. 1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSantos, Diana Tsai:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cb\u003eDiana Tsai Santos \u003c\/b\u003eis a Blasian illustrator, \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003edesigner, and professional\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003edaydreamer. When they aren't taking a nap or drifting off into their own thoughts, you can find them whiling away the time with their comics, art, or stories. Visit them online at dianatsaisantos.carrd.co.\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eValdez, Kiara:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKiara Valdez \u003c\/strong\u003eis an Afro-Dominican writer and graphic novel editor from New York City (shout out to Washington Heights). She graduated from Williams College with a double major in English Literature and Japanese, and spends her free time reading, writing, and enjoying a long list of other hobbies she can't keep up with. She writes graphic novels, pictures books, and story books that include titles such as \u003cem\u003eDear Dad \u003c\/em\u003e(with Jay Jay Patton and Markia Jenai), Marvel's \u003cem\u003eLittle Groot, Big Feelings\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWe Are Groot\u003c\/em\u003e (both with Wendy Tan), and \u003cem\u003eMami's Magic Words\u003c\/em\u003e (Richy Sánchez Ayala). \u003cem\u003eStepping Up\u003c\/em\u003e is her debut original graphic novel.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Kiara Valdez \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":48791279304861,"sku":"9780063254534","price":32.38,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_7c15feaa-02ba-43d6-9218-404536465d80.jpg?v=1786551358","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/stepping-up-a-graphic-memoir-9780063254534","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}