A Celebration of Books,
Writers & LIterary Excellence

Save the Date


Gaithersburg
Book Festival

May 17, 2025

10am – 6pm

Bohrer Park


Cynthia Leitich Smith

Latest Title: Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem
Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem
Blue Stars by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Two everyday superheroes set out to save the world—starting with their school—in an exciting new middle-grade graphic series from two award-winning authors and a debut illustrator.

When cousins Riley Halfmoon and Maya Dawn move to Urbanopolis to live with their activist grandma, they get off to a rocky start. Outgoing Riley misses her Muscogee cousins but is sure that she and Maya will be instant BFFs. Meanwhile, introvert Maya misses her parents, on active duty in Japan, and just wants some space to herself. At school, Maya joins Robotics Club and Riley bonds with fellow gymnasts. Just when they start to feel at home, their school culture is threatened by an influential foe in disguise. Joining student council feels like a way to help, so both cousins toss their hats in the ring for sixth-grade class president. But when they realize what they’re up against—money, power, and lies—they quickly shift from competition to cooperation, joining forces as superheroes. Riley is savvy with people; Maya is a whiz with gadgets. In no time, this dazzling duo is off to save the day! Relatable and rich in themes of family, community, and compromise, the Blue Stars series will entertain and empower, inspiring readers to be the stars they are.

About Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cynthia Leitich Smith is an NSK Neustadt Laureate and author of “Hearts Unbroken,” winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award; “Harvest House;” “Sisters of the Neversea;” The New York Times best-selling “Tantalize and Feral” series; “Rain Is Not My Indian Name;” and “Jingle Dancer.” Her latest book is “Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem” (Blues Stars #1), a middle-grade graphic novel, co-authored with Kekla Magoon and illustrated by Molly Murakami. Cynthia also edited the anthology, “Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids;” is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint. A Muscogee Nation citizen, she lives in Austin.

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Instagram: @cynthialeitichsmith

Twitter (X): @CynLeitichSmith

Author Schedule:

Venue(s):

Willa Cather Pavilion

Presentation Start Time:

12:15 pm

Presentation End Time:

1:05 pm

Signing Time:

1:15 pm