Building 903 by Lois Lowry

Some stories slip a key into your hand and quietly change the way you see everything.

Twins Tessa and Theo live in a world ruled by the tyrannical Koziris, where there are no dangers and no rebels. Or so they’ve been told. Life is long, comfortable, and safe. So when Theo disappears, nobody wants to talk about it.

Then Miriam, their 135-year-old neighbor, slips Tessa a key. It leads not only to her brother’s disappearance, but to the source of all real magic: books.

Written in the tradition of the bestselling, award-winning The Giver, this new hardcover from a two-time Newbery Medal winner explores censorship, comfort, complicity, and the radical power of the imagination. It feels both prescient and eternal, and it sits comfortably alongside The Giver Quartet as a meaningful addition to a beloved body of work.

Why readers will love it:

• A gripping dystopian mystery with a brave, curious heroine
• A moving celebration of books, libraries, and the freedom to imagine
• A sibling bond that drives the story forward
• Rich themes that spark conversation between kids, parents, and teachers

Perfect for middle grade readers ages 8-12, and just as rewarding for grown-ups who still remember the first book that cracked their world wide open. It’s a story to read aloud, pass along, and linger over on a foggy afternoon with the sea air drifting in.

Browse our curated middle grade shelves, and let this new release find its way into your home.

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