Yonder

A captivating historical fiction middle grade novel that asks what it means to be a hero.

Danny Timmons has looked up to Jack Bailey ever since the older boy saved two small children from drowning during the Great Flood of 1940. Now, with his father away fighting in World War II and his mother about to have a new baby, Danny relies on Jack’s friendship and guidance more than ever.

So when Jack goes missing without a trace from their small Appalachian town, Danny is determined to find him. He wonders if Jack’s abusive father could be behind his disappearance, or if it has anything to do with Yonder—a hidden magical town Jack once spoke of, where flocks of rainbow birds fly through the sky and they’ve never heard of war. As answers elude him, Danny begins to fear that he didn’t know Jack as well as he thought.

Ultimately, Danny’s search forces him to reckon with even larger questions: What is America fighting for in this war? What role do each of us play in stopping injustices, big and small? And is there such a thing as a true hero?

Awards and Praise for Yonder:
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A 2023 Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts
Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2023
A Jane Addams Book Award Honor Book
A Cybils Award Middle Grade Finalist
S. C. Junior Book Award Nominee

★ “Danny’s voice is true, strong, loving, and hopeful, and readers will recognize him as a hero in his own right. . . . Multilayered, moving, and tremendously powerful.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

★ “A heartfelt tale about what it means to be a hero and take a stand against injustice.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

★ “Standish’s uplifting mystery tackles big themes of abuse, bullying, heroism, mental health, and prejudice.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“Both timely and historical. An exploration of what it means to be brave and do good.” —TAE KELLER, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Trap a Tiger

“What does it mean to be a hero, and when is it all right—necessary, even—to put your own well-being ahead of others? Yonder is a thoughtful, eloquent, and honest examination of prejudice, loyalty, and what it means to be brave. I loved it.” —ALAN GRATZ, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Ground Zero

“A beautiful and important novel that explores what it means to be a hero  and the role of each of us to stand up for what’s right.” —KARINA YAN GLASER, New York Times bestselling author

Rights details

• Ages 8 - 12