Tessa Miyata Is No Hero

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A thrilling and inventive middle-grade fantasy steeped in Japanese lore and mythology. 

Tessa Miyata has never fit in. When she and her two sisters are told they will be staying with their grandparents in Japan, Tessa is thrilled. A summer in Japan could be her chance to go on an adventure worthy of impressing her classmates back home. 

Her hopes are quickly dashed when she realizes her sisters are old enough to go into Tokyo, while she can’t even go to the corner store by herself. Plus, her grandparents want her to stay home with the neighbor kid, thirteen-year-old Jin Uehara, who’s made it clear he’s too cool to spend time with a weirdo like her.

When Tessa is finally allowed to go to Tokyo, it’s only to join her grandpa’s retiree aerobic class with none other than Jin. Their disastrous forced hangout comes crashing to a halt when Tessa and Jin break the Miyata family’s precious heirloom—accidentally releasing the malicious samurai god Taira Masakado and discovering a hidden part of the city where gods and mythological creatures walk among humans—including their new companion, a mythical nine-tailed fox who may be more trouble than he is help.

Tessa and Jin must now work together to stop Taira Masakado before he traps them—and the rest of Tokyo—under his command, forever.

- REVIEWS -

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

“At once heartrending and heartwarming, this thrilling, magical tale of finding one’s inner strength will show that Tessa Miyata is more than a hero—she is a legend!”
- Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Iron Widow and Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor

“A thrilling, whirlwind adventure full of heart and humor. In this delightful, enchanting new fantasy series, Julie Abe reminds us of the power of finding your voice and the strength that lies within you. Tessa Miyata may not believe she is a hero, but she is an absolute legend.”
- Samira Ahmed, bestselling author of the Amira & Hamza duology

“Yikes and Yakult! Julie Abe has done it again. Brimming with heart and humor, Abe takes us on a fantastical adventure into the heart of magical Tokyo. Gods! Trials! Japanese mythology! Full of action and emotion, I was gripped to the edge of my seat until the very last page. The start of a thrilling new series you don’t want to miss.”
- Graci Kim, bestselling author of The Last Fallen Star

"With a wonderfully brave and vulnerable heroine to root for, Tessa Miyata Is No Hero is a gorgeous, dizzying adventure through mythical worlds and magical trials. I can't wait to see what Tessa does next!"
- Sangu Mandanna, author of Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom

“Tessa Miyata Is No Hero is my favorite combination of fun, heartful, and kick-butt. It's the girl-led shounen anime tween-me always wanted.”
- Kaela Rivera, author of Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

“Abe skillfully builds a world, drawing on elements of Japanese religion, art, food, and architecture in an energizing wash of sensory descriptions….readers will be thrilled by the dramatic and epic stakes imbued into action sequences… Tessa’s journey provides young readers with a new heroine whose emotional core is rock solid.”
- BCCB

“Otherworldly beings and ethereal landscapes, inspired by Japanese mythology, fill this energetic tale of acceptance and friendship that centers a compassionate, loyal protagonist.”
- Publishers Weekly

“In this exciting, action-packed story, Tessa struggles with loneliness and feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere, but she discovers true strength, bravery, selflessness, and resilience. The magical world of Japanese spirits is beautifully crafted, with cultural elements seamlessly woven throughout.”
- Kirkus Reviews

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