A Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2024

Insect-extraordinaire Jay Hosler is back, this time exploring how we seek to understand ourselves and the world around us through the eyes of one of our world’s tiniest creatures: the ant.

Meet Rubi, a tiny ant with a big personality and an even bigger love for stories. Who knew the small world of her colony could be full of unexpected friendships, epic adventures, and death-defying escapes?

Follow Rubi on the journey of a lifetime as she uncovers the mystery and wonder of one of the world’s tiniest, mightiest insects.

Prizes

Winner of Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book (United States).,Winner of Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award (United States).,Winner of Texas Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List (United States).,Winner of Junior Library Guild Selection (United States).

“A truly lovely coming-of-age tale buzzing with bee facts, this is a honey pot for budding entomologists, naturalists, and scientists of all variety.” — Booklist “Graphic novel fans, lovers of nonfiction, budding ecologists, and readers looking for their next great obsession will be buzzing around this title for years to come.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Vivid colors and playful use of varying perspectives and panel sizes work well to convey both tension and exuberance. Readers who never gave much thought to what is going on under their feet will likely want to get down low and observe some ants at work, and if it makes them be a little more careful with insect lives and natural habitats, so much the better.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Snappy dialogue [and] excellent pacing. Thoroughly engrossing.” — Horn Book Magazine “Vibrant drawings and Hosler’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the natural world combine to form this cheerfully gross depiction of how ants feed and incubate larvae, preserve food, or become food sources themselves, with poop playing a pivotal role in many of Rubi’s activities.” — Publishers Weekly “A captivating look at ants that is also a story of learning to be a true friend; great for future entomologists, graphic novel readers, and those who love buddy narratives.” — School Library Journal “A must-read for lovers of ants, ecosystems…and unlikely friendships.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Jay Hosler is a biology professor by day and a scheming cartoonist by night. His diabolical plan is to weave his love of the natural world into thrilling tales of adventure. So far, the plan seems to be working. Unsuspecting readers fall into stories about creepy-crawly things and discovering the wondrous world right under their feet. His books have been translated into several languages, but he can only read the ones in English. In his spare time, Jay likes to read comics and watch Godzilla movies. He lives in Pennsylvania with his queen and two drones. Jay Hosler is a biology professor by day and a scheming cartoonist by night. His diabolical plan is to weave his love of the natural world into thrilling tales of adventure. So far, the plan seems to be working. Unsuspecting readers fall into stories about creepy-crawly things and discovering the wondrous world right under their feet. His books have been translated into several languages, but he can only read the ones in English. In his spare time, Jay likes to read comics and watch Godzilla movies. He lives in Pennsylvania with his queen and two drones.