Last-but-not-least Lola and the Cupcake Queens

Lola's mom is home but not home, because she's frantically working all the time. Lola's friends are here but not here as allegiances among the foursome change faster than you can forget your lines for a school play. Lola means well but can't help acting on her emotions and getting into trouble. She'll need to dig for bravery as she deals with a possible ghost next door, stage fright, and, hardest of all, making amends with her friends. In this heartwarming tale, Lola is braver than she thinks, and her friendships are stronger than she realizes.

Christine Pakkala has an MFA in Poetry from Iowa Writers' Workshop and has taught seventh- and ninth-grade English in New York City. Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens is her fourth novel. She lives in Westport, Connecticut. christinepakkala.com.

Paul Hoppe is an illustrator, designer, and author who teaches at the School of Visual Arts. He is the author-illustrator of two picture books and the illustrator for several other picture books and young adult books. His work has been published by the New York Times and the New Yorker. Born in Poland and raised in Germany, he now lives in Brooklyn, New York. paulhoppe.de.