Dad Rock Dragon Quest

Twelve-year-old Zadie Drake just wants to rock out with her electric guitar, the only thing that helps her feel connected to her park ranger father, whom she’s barely seen in the five years since her parents divorced. Instead, she must contend with her mother’s boyfriend Lloyd, a risk compliance officer who cramps Zadie’s rock ’n’ roll style. Zadie is thrilled when she and her older sister learn that they’ll be spending a week with their dad in the forest. Not even being forced to travel with Lloyd can bring her down. When the group is attacked by poachers on their first night in the woods, though, Zadie realizes that her family is part of a secret society dedicated to protecting magical creatures. Now the three Drakes (and Lloyd) must embark on an epic road trip to thwart their enemies—if they can learn how to get along first. Zadie’s arc of self-discovery as she examines her relationships with her father and Lloyd provide a heartfelt counterpoint to the joyfully chaotic premise. It’s a fast-paced, exuberant, and genuine adventure by Reardon (The Grimsbane Family Witch Hunters), set to a high-energy soundtrack: each chapter opener features a relevant song title. The protagonists read as white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Larissa Melo Peinkowski, Jill Grinberg Literary. (June)