Crab Girl

A self-discovery novel for 8-12 year olds

"Bubbling with adventure—and a pinch of heart!" -author/illustrator Jess Smart Smiley of the What Happens Next series.

Twelve-year-old Annie Lane doesn’t fit in—and it’s not just because she has a giant, look-at-me red crab arm. Torn between her mom’s love and unanswered questions about her DNA dad, she sets off on a journey across the country with her part-rabbit best friend Jack to find the missing piece of herself. Together, they navigate quirky towns, face off against unexpected foes, and make unlikely allies—all so Annie can find out who she really is. But when Annie uncovers a shocking truth about her blood and realizes her actions have unintended consequences, she’s faced with the ultimate sacrifice.

In a race against time, she must decide: who is she really, and what does it mean to be whole? Perfect for fans of heartwarming adventure and magical realism, this is a story of courage, self-discovery, and learning to embrace the things that make us different—quirky crab arm and all.

Join Annie in this coming-of-age story for tweens and explore the complexities of diversity and loving yourself, and the importance of friendship and courage in this unique middle-grade adventure!

Perfect for:

• reluctant readers
• curious tweens
• the exploration of identity and diversity
• embracing uniqueness
• classroom read-aloud adventure
• cross-curricular books for grades 4-6
• heartwarming middle grade books for families
• tween books with strong morals
• character-driven books for young readers
• STEM middle grade fiction