Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) — Content Guide for Parents
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Content themes
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Middle schooler Pia is dealing with grief as she finds herself on the biggest adventure of her life--a bus tour stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. Inspired by a real life road trip and touching on tough topics, but filled with warmth and humor-- Next Stop is a “remarkable debut." (The Horn Book) about family, friendship, and moving on.
A BOOKPAGE AND HORN BOOK BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
• A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY
Pia is a soft-spoken middle schooler whose life is turned upside down after the loss of her younger brother, followed by her parents’ decision to move to a new town. In an effort to get her mind off of the troubles at home, Pia goes on a bus tour with a family friend, stopping at weird and wacky roadside attractions. The final destination: a mysterious underground lake. The locals say it has magical powers; Pia won’t admit she believes in it, but she’s holding on to hope that the waters may hold the answer to mending her broken family.
The trip is much more than the final stop. The friendships that Pia makes along the way are just as valuable as the destination itself. Next Stop explores grief, resilience, and learning how to laugh again. Debbie Fong weaves together an incredibly strong debut filled with humor and heart, with a splash of mystery and magic.
Frequently asked questions
Is Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
No violence detected in the book. The narrative focuses on a magical road trip and themes of grief and friendship, without any mention of physical violence between characters. No genuinely frightening content in the book. While it deals with heavy topics like grief, it does so with warmth and humor, making it age-appropriate.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have violence?
No violence detected in the book. The narrative focuses on a magical road trip and themes of grief and friendship, without any mention of physical violence between characters.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have scary content?
No genuinely frightening content in the book. While it deals with heavy topics like grief, it does so with warmth and humor, making it age-appropriate.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have religious themes?
No religious content in the book itself. The search results do not indicate any religious themes or practices present in the narrative.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have racial/cultural content?
The main character, Pia, and her family appear to be of East Asian descent, and there is mention of racial diversity among secondary characters. However, race is not a central theme of the narrative, which focuses on personal growth and healing.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have profanity?
No profanity found in the book. The narrative is described as suitable for children, focusing on positive themes rather than inappropriate language.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have climate change?
No climate themes detected in the book. The focus is on personal and emotional journeys rather than environmental issues.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have sexual identity?
No sexual content in the book. The search results emphasize the themes of grief and resilience without any reference to sexual themes or encounters.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. The narrative centers on friendship and healing rather than gender dynamics.
Does Next Stop (A Graphic Novel) have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters explicitly mentioned in the book's narrative. The search results focus on the book's exploration of grief and friendship without reference to LGBTQ+ content.
