Kelly Mangan, Author & Illustrator
"It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world.
It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless."
~ L.R. Knost
About Me
I'm a queer, neurodiverse author and illustrator of picture books and middle grade stories. Though originally from the south, I now reside in snowy Vermont with my partner and two kids.
When I'm not writing or drawing, you’ll likely find me baking, gardening, gaming, weaving on a rigid heddle loom, reading The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, or watching Star Trek with a cup of Earl Grey, hot.
Like That Eleanor
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By award-winning author Lee Wind.
Illustrated by Kelly Mangan
What can you do when you see unfair things happening to other people?
Eleanor’ s not sure, but she wants to make things more fair, like her namesake: Eleanor Roosevelt.
Robin’ s excluded from a boys-only soccer game. Bryce is left out of a girls-only conversation. And nonbinary Star can’t even use the same bathrooms as everyone else. Eleanor makes new friends, but doesn’t know how to help them.
But when their teacher leaves Star out of a classroom game, Eleanor stands up for her friend by sitting down in just the right spot... And that changes everything.
Maeve Mulvaney Has Had Enough
HOLIDAY HOUSE - APRIL 29, 2025
Maeve Mulvaney goes from “family raincloud” to Feminist Superhero in this upper middle grade novel perfect for fans of Carrie Firestone, Julie Murphy, and Barbara Dee.
Fourteen-year-old Maeve feels more at home in the pages of her comics and sketchbook than she does in "Nowhereville" (her maybe-not-so-nice nickname for the small Florida town where her family just moved). When a bully at her new school makes her life miserable over her weight, and a sexist teacher defends him, Maeve isn’t sure what to do. Her mom thinks she should brush it off and stay positive. But then Maeve hears from other misfit eighth graders who are also being picked on, and she decides that enough is enough.
Drawing inspiration from her comics, Maeve creates a feminist superhero club, hoping she and her new friends can inspire meaningful change in their community. But it turns out, fighting back without becoming the bully yourself is harder than it seems…
This heartfelt and uplifting novel serves as a sweet reminder that heroes are stronger together, that home is where you make it, and that the greatest superpower you have is your voice.
"Mangan debuts with a spirited, layered novel centering middle school activism."
~Publishers Weekly
"A captivating, blisteringly realistic exploration of middle school activism."
~Kirkus Reviews
AVAILABLE NOW FROM:
"Readers will come to appreciate how well Maeve and company represent a younger generation that doesn’t need to have it all figured out to want better for themselves and others."
~The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
⭐ Starred Review!
Cover Art by Dion MBD
"Full of righteous rage and a strong drive for justice and inclusivity, Maeve’s story is an inspiring look at activism....
A smart, impassioned read that reminds us all that sometimes change needs a big push to get going."
~Amanda MacGregor, School Library Journal
"Accessible…heartfelt…empowering.”
~Publishers Weekly
“An ideal guide for readers of any age to learn how to be an ally.” ~Kirkus Reviews ⭐ Starred Review!
“The best ally picture book I’ve ever seen.”
~Betsy Bird, School Library Journal
Represented by Taj McCoy, at Laura Dail Literary Agency: Tmccoy [at] ldlaine [dot] com.
Please contact my agent if you'd like to hire me for a project!
Contact Me
