Noel has the blues. Quarantine has stripped the world of color, and the joy she once found in the things she loves has disappeared. She feels small and powerless, lost in the sadness of a world that seems too broken to fix. But when a tiny, magical raindrop named Ms. Drop appears, Noel is swept into an extraordinary journey across lands and waters that hold the stories of tenacity and hope.

She travels to the Pacific Ocean, where a living coral named Ko’a reveals the struggles of Hawai’i’s land and culture, and to the Mexican-American border, where the Rio Grande’s spirit, Ātl, mourns the divisions that have scarred both land and people. From the vibrant streets of Goma in the Congo, where youth dance to resist despair, to the olive groves of Palestine, where resilience takes root in the face of occupation, Noel witnesses the strength of people fighting for dignity, joy, and survival.

Through these journeys, Noel learns that even in a world marked by greed, injustice, and sorrow, there is a force stronger than despair: tenacity. The courage to endure, the will to connect, and the determination to act ripple outward like drops of water, shaping the world in ways big and small.

“Noel Beats the Blues with Good News” is an inspiring and imaginative tale about connection, resilience, and finding hope in the stories that unite us all. Perfect for readers young and old, it will leave you believing in the power of one voice, one step, and one drop to make a difference.

10-18 y.o.

Softcover, 98 pp

Written by Luanna Peterson. Illustrated by Baba Ray

Published December 13, 2024