Coming June 2, 2026
from Candlewick Press
Moving to a new town is Roxie’s chance to be known as more than just “the girl with blind parents.” But that means keeping her parents’ blindness a secret—at least until other kids get to know her. And definitely not telling anyone that she might inherit the eye condition that caused her mom’s vision loss.
After Roxie comes to the rescue of a popular seventh grader, she is welcomed into a new group of friends. She joins the Art Club, and her mural design might be chosen for the town-wide competition. As her lies start piling up, Roxie finds herself keeping secrets from her parents too. But when she caves into peer pressure and puts her family at risk, she must be more honest than ever.
Including chapters told by her mom’s loyal guide dog, it is a heartfelt story about the desire to blend in while still standing out. Coauthored by Stacy Cervenka, a blind mom of two sighted children, it’s also an authentic portrayal of the joys, challenges, and everyday ordinariness of being raised by parents with a disability.
Available for pre-order at:
Signed copies!
“I loved Roxie and her family and friends and Nash the dog so much and bet you will, too.”
—Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of Not Nothing and Frankie & Bug
“Roxie in Color is a stirring story about a girl trapped between loyalties to her family and her desire to be seen as herself. Debrovner and Cervenka have crafted a touching tale that is sure to broaden horizons, inspire conversations, and appeal to middle grade readers everywhere.”
—Megan E. Freeman, New York Times bestselling author or ALONE and AWAY
“This beautiful story of intimate family life with blind parents shows us that while disability may be a challenge, a far bigger challenge is how the world treats you because of it. I was rooting for Roxie from page one. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”
—Sally J. Pla, Schneider Family Book Award–winning author of The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn
“As a psychologist who specializes in caring for young people, I’m blown away by how skillfully Roxie in Color illuminates the emotional tensions of being in middle school. This brilliant, engaging book will—without question—resonate with readers everywhere.”
—Lisa Damour, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Untangled
“An energetic and thoughtful story highlighting the experiences of the blind community.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Debut authors Cervenka and Debrovner craft an empathetic tale that follows artistic Roxie Glass as she navigates new school nerves after experiencing bullying about her parents’ blindness. . . . Thoughtfully designed, the book is typeset in Atkinson Hyperlegible, a font developed to support low-vision readers, reinforcing the novel’s themes of accessibility and inclusion.”
—Publishers Weekly
"Never heavy-handed, this story is instantly relatable to anyone who is or has ever been a kid. Every reader, of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences, will find their way into the heart of Roxie in Color—the protagonist herself.”
— Emily Barth Isler, author of AfterMath and The Color of Sound
“Outstanding! Roxie in Color by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka is a heartfelt gift of a story! Readers will fall in love with Roxie as she navigates misperceptions, secrets, and the nuances of middle school friendships. And they will cheer for her when she finds her courage, her voice, and the true meaning of family. A must read!”
—Elly Swartz, author of Same Page and Hidden Truths
Roxie in Color was written by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka. They met when Diane interviewed Stacy for the Parents magazine article, “What Blind Parents Want You to See.” Stacy is the Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind. Like Roxie’s family, she and her husband are blind and their two children are sighted.