Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston

Gr 5 Up–When their champion knight father is called back to serve the crown, Callie is excited to live out their dream of becoming a knight. Upon arriving in legendary Helston, nonbinary Callie’s ambition is cruelly stifled by the intolerant Chancellor and the palace’s rigid gender norms; they are expected to forfeit their sword and practice magic with the girls instead. Callie’s friendship with Elowen, the Chancellor’s magical daughter, and Prince Willow, the crown prince who is being bullied into submission, provides enough hope to continue their fight. Yet when the three uncover a devious plot to oust Prince Willow as the rightful heir to the throne, the trio teams up with Elowen’s twin brother, Edwyn, to fight the injustices of their world. Tenacious, vulnerable, and gritty, Sir Callie is a hero that belongs on every library shelf. The writing is empowering, expertly creating an inclusive tale that affirms everyone’s right to define themselves. Readers are thrust into the action scenes of this fantasy novel, dodging dragons and magical spells while cheering for the protagonist, their family, and friends. Characters are cued white.