Today on the site, I’m delighted to welcome Taylor Tracy to reveal the cover of their debut Middle Grade fabulist novel in verse, Murray Out of Water, releasing from Quill Tree/HarperCollins on May 21, 2024! Here’s the story:
Twelve-year-old Murray O’Shea loves the ocean. It could be because it never asks her to be someone she’s not, something her mother refuses to do. But Murray also shares a secret magic with her beloved sea, which allows her to control its tides, hear the gorgeous sounds of its creatures, and feel as powerful as she wishes she could feel in her regular life.
But then a hurricane hits Murray’s Jersey shore home, sending the O’Sheas far inland to live with relatives. When Murray learns of the storm’s destruction, she loses her magic. Stuck in a house with her family, she can no longer avoid the truths she’s discovering about herself—like how she feels in the clothes her mom makes her wear, or how she may be more like her older brother who left the family than she thought.
Thankfully, it’s not all hurricanes and heartache. Murray befriends a boy named Dylan, who has a magic of his own. When Murray agrees to partner with him for a youth roller-rama variety show in exchange for help getting her magic back, the two forge an unstoppable bond that shows Murray how it’s not always the family you were given that makes you feel whole…sometimes it’s the family you build along the way.
And here’s the magical cover, designed by Celeste Knudsen with art by Sas Milledge!
Taylor Tracy writes books filled with humor and heart that explore the joys and hopes of queer kids, focusing on mental health, found family, and the importance of building a sense of community. She lives in New Jersey with her family, including a fluffle of mischievous rescue bunnies, and loves everything her home state has to offer: the best bagels, pizza, and beaches. When not writing, she can be found down the shore, in the rock gym, or next to her growing pile of books to read and love. Visit her online at www.taylorismyfirstname.com.