Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena by Julie C. Dao (Team Chu #1) (Paperback)

Middle Grade Fiction - Action & Adventure

Published: 4/4/2023 (Originally Published 7/26/2022 in Hardcover)

A rollicking adventure about laser tag and fierce sibling rivalries, this is the first book in a commercial middle grade fantasy series by Julie C. Dao, perfect for fans of Tristan Strong and Nevermoor.

Sadie and Clip Chu love laser tag. When a new arena opens in their town with state-of-the-art courses and virtual reality headsets, they couldn’t be more excited—or more competitive. But when a mysterious boy who claims to be part of the game tricks Clip into getting trapped with him, Sadie and the rest of their friends must find a way to save Clip and fight their way out. As they team up to beat the obstacles in store, the Chu siblings learn that they're far better off working with instead of against each other.

An action-packed fantasy adventure set in an imaginative virtual fantasy world, this lighthearted middle grade romp is a joyful celebration of the fierceness of sibling rivalry and supportive friendships.

Author Bio: 

Julie C. Dao is the critically acclaimed author of many books for teens and children including Forest of a Thousand Lanterns and Broken Wish. Her novels have earned starred reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly, won recognition as Junior Library Guild Selections and Kids' Indie Next List picks, and landed on multiple best-of-year lists including YALSA and the American Library Association. A proud Vietnamese-American who was born in upstate New York, she now lives in New England.

"A rousing adventure and heartwarming series opener." —Publishers Weekly

"Young gamers....will revel in this fun, fast-paced adventure." —Booklist

“An action-packed tale of sibling rivalry where thrills and challenges highlight the importance of family and teamwork." —Adrianna Cuevas, author of Pura Belpré Honor book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez and Cuba in My Pocket

“Julie C. Dao’s middle-grade debut is first on the leaderboard for me.” —E.L. Shen, author of The Comeback

“Julie Dao delivers a thrilling, pulse pounding joy ride of an adventure brimming over with humor and heart.” —NYT bestselling author Samira Ahmed