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INTERMEDIATE FICTION
Alexander, Kwame

The Mighty Macy

144 pp. | Little | February, 2026 | Trade ISBN 9780316442169 $16.99
(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Kitt Thomas. Alexander’s latest novel in verse—a love letter to school libraries and celebration of creative pursuits—begins with third-grader Macy receiving the first book in the (fictitious) Mighty Zora series for her birthday. After staying up late to finish it, she is eager to start book two, only to discover that her school library—“a house / of hope / an imagination park / an opportunity store / a treasure chest”—is now open only two days a week. Her best friend encourages her to address the school board, but Macy isn’t as confident when it comes to public speaking as her dad, who’s a poet. Plus, she’s upset because she’s nervous about an upcoming violin recital and worried that her dad, who travels frequently for work, will miss it. Macy decides to write a poem in support of the library to share with school leaders, and Alexander does a good job of showcasing the inherent challenges of writing via Macy’s struggles. He also shares some Black history, as when Macy listens to a recording of William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony, which inspires her to finally write her poem. In the end, she gets over her nerves and performs well both at the school board meeting and at her recital. Black-and-white spot art (final art unseen) captures her many emotions. An author’s note reveals Alexander’s family connection to the story.
Reviewer: Marva Anne Hinton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2026

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