Trove
Danie Stirling
HaperCollins Children’s Books/HarperAlley
Ages 12+
Available November 10, 2026

Obsessed with the niche fantasy series Trove, tenth-graders Nessa and Juliette create a sleepover club with three rules: no spoilers, no sleep, and no drama. Despite sticking to these rules for years, their friendship is shaken when Juliette announces she is moving the same day the author of Trove retires without plans to publish the final book. Desperate for closure on their beloved series, the girls spend the weeks before Juliette’s move tracking down the manuscript for the series finale. At FabuCon, a Trove fan convention, the girls follow clues from a fan claiming to have the manuscript on a chaotic quest that tests their friendship. As the story unfolds, scenes from the Trove series are woven into Juliette and Nessa’s present-day narrative, inviting readers into the fantasy world that has captivated the protagonists. At times, Trove feels like a third member of their friendship, so central to their interactions that scenes from the series replace the background of their conversations. Alongside glimpses into the fantasy series, flashbacks to seventh grade reveal how the girls’ struggles with bullying and loneliness shaped their connection. In one particularly touching scene, Juliette is bedridden with a cold and exasperated with her parents for serving her apple juice, a flavor she dislikes. Moments later, Nessa appears outside her bedroom window with a care package containing Juliette’s favorite strawberry juice. The detailed illustrations distinguish the three timelines while allowing body language, small acts of care, and unspoken moments to build a nuanced portrait of the girls’ relationship. For middle-grade readers, the story’s subtle portrayal of emotional resilience is a reminder that friendship isn’t built solely on grand gestures or earth-shattering emotions. Sometimes, a carton of juice or a shared hobby call can lay the foundation for a lifelong friendship. For readers who relate to the all-consuming experience of being part of a fandom, this graphic novel offers a heartwarming portrayal of the special bond that grows from a shared passion.