By the Grace of Todd

While attempting to clean up the staggering mess that is his room, sixth-grader Todd Butroche discovers a colony of Borrower-like mini-humans living on his sock. (“You’ve spawned life through sheer grossness!” cheers his scientifically minded friend Lucy.) Meanwhile, school bully Max Loving has taken Todd under his wing; when Max learns of the “Toddlians” (as Lucy dubs them), he decides to train like circus fleas for a science project. Todd wants to save the Toddlians, and they have faith that “the Great Todd” will rescue them, as seen in the occasional chapters they narrate. Will Todd give up being cool to stand up to Max? The answer isn’t a surprise, but readers won’t care—this story is all about the ride, in all of its gross and grimy glory. Galveston (a pseudonym) delights in the icky habits of the Toddlians (“dead skin cell and toe jam sandwiches” are a delicacy), yet her portrayal of the brutalities of middle school feels as real as the things Todd learns about friends, popularity, and being true to oneself. Ages 8–12. Agent: Chris Snowdon, Working Partners. (Feb.)