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Marianayagam meditates on powerful messages surrounding family, identity, and finding friends in unlikely places in this bittersweet debut. Seventh grader Ajay Anthonipillai has always lived by his Sri Lankan parents’ rules: “straight As only,” “always dress nicely,” and no scary movies, among others. After transferring to a different school, Ajay instates his own rule: get on popular bully Jacob Underson’s “good side.” When Jacob, who reads as white, asks Ajay to steal a Mercury chocolate bar from a convenience store, Ajay feels this is his chance to finally “get cool,” but Jacob rejects the stolen goods. Then Ajay unwraps it and learns that he’s won Mercury’s 25th Anniversary Contest grand prize: $1,000,000. Collecting that money could dramatically improve his family’s lifestyle. But can Ajay claim the reward when he doesn’t believe he earned it fair and square? Mixed-media formatting—including Ajay’s handwritten journal entries and excerpts from his school assignments further showcase his internal struggle balancing morality with life-changing opportunity. The racist bullying that Ajay endures depicted alongside his own frustrations with his immigrant parents’ expectations allows for a natural-feeling exploration and unfurling of Ajay’s broadening world perspective. Ages 8–12. Agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. (Jan.)