Tessa Miyata Is No Hero

Description

This thrilling and charming middle grade fantasy steeped in Japanese lore and mythology follows Tessa after she breaks a precious family heirloom, sending her on a wild adventure to save herself, her family—and all of Tokyo.

Tessa Miyata has never fit in. When she and her two sisters are told they will be staying at their grandparents in Japan, Tessa is thrilled. A summer in Japan could be her chance to go on an adventure worthy of impressing her classmates back home.   

Her hopes are quickly dashed when, all too soon, she realizes that life in Japan is just like being in California: her sisters are old enough to go into Tokyo, while she can’t even go to the corner store by herself. Plus, her grandparents want her to stay home with the neighbor kid, thirteen-year-old Jin Uehara, who’s made it clear he’s too cool to spend time with a weirdo like her.   

When Tessa is finally allowed to go to Tokyo, it’s only to join her grandpa’s retiree aerobic class with none other than Jin. Their disastrous forced hang out comes crashing to a halt when Tessa and Jin break the Miyata family’s precious heirloom—accidentally releasing the malicious samurai god Taira Masakado and discovering a hidden part of the city where gods and mythological creatures walk among humans—including their new companion, a mythical nine-tailed fox who may be more trouble than he is help.   

Despite doing everything to avoid spending another minute together, Tessa and Jin must now work together to stop Taira Masakado before he traps them—and the rest of Tokyo—under his command, forever.   

Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Graci Kim, this brand new fantasy adventure will grip readers from the very first page and never let go.Julie Abe has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea, where she creates stories about magical adventures. Her debut novel Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch received a starred review from Kirkus: “Bewitching…a must-read for fantasy lovers," and was also listed as a Best Middle Grade Book by Kirkus Reviews, New York Public Library, Bank Street College of Education, and Book Riot. Julie is also the author of Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch; Alliana, Girl of Dragons; and Tessa Miyata is No Hero. "Yikes and Yakult! Julie Abe has done it again. Brimming with heart and humor, Abe takes us on a fantastical adventure into the heart of magical Tokyo. Gods! Trials! Japanese mythology! Full of action and emotion, I was gripped to the edge of my seat until the very last page. The start of a thrilling new series you don’t want to miss."—Graci Kim, bestselling author of The Last Fallen Star"A delightfully spirited Japanese mythology–inspired adventure that’s full of heart."—Kirkus“Tessa Miyata Is No Hero is my favorite combination of fun, heartful, and kick-butt. It's the girl-led shounen anime tween-me always wanted!"—Kaela Rivera, author of Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls“At once heartrending and heartwarming, this thrilling, magical tale of finding one’s inner strength will show that Tessa Miyata is more than a hero—she is a legend!”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Xiran Jay Zhao“Abe skillfully builds a world, drawing on elements of Japanese religion, art, food, and architecture in an energizing wash of sensory descriptions….readers will be thrilled by the dramatic and epic stakes imbued into action sequences. Looping repeatedly around the Japanese proverb, ‘After the rain, the earth hardens,’ Tessa’s journey provides young readers with a new heroine whose emotional core is rock solid.” —BCCBPraise for Alliana, Girl of Dragons:

"Alliana, Girl of Dragons made my heart soar! This beautiful and moving story celebrates internal strength, enduring familial love, and the life-changing power of friendship."—Alyssa Colman, author of The Gilded Girl“Abe proves herself a master at creating worlds both exciting and comforting as she takes readers on whirlwind adventures. Alliana’s indomitable spirit will delight and excite as she courageously embraces her dreams and encourages readers to do the same."—Adrianna Cuevas, author of the Pura Belpré honor book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and Cuba in My Pocket

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