“Too Big To Say”: Mike Curato’s New Book Coming In March

Former Seattleite MIKE CURATO, is, as always, very very busy with book project, both his own and illustrating for other writers. The writer/illustrator of graphic novels, FLAMER and GAYSIANS and the adorable Little Elliot series of picture books for very young children has just announced he’s illustrating a new book.

Coming out in March 2027 from Little Brown Books for Young Readers, TOO BIG TO SAY is an illustrated middle grade novel from New York Times bestselling writer PHIL BILDNER, the author of more than 25 books for young readers. The book is “told through a mixture of prose chapters and 40 pages of illustrations (including flashback comic panels)” and centers on two middle schoolers going on an adventure and exploring the mysteries of queer love, friendship and coping with complex emotions as young people navigating life.

More about the plot:

Two middle schoolers, Jaxson and South, embark on a day-long mission to climb the fire tower at the top of Mount Hope. Until now, the two have been mostly long-distance friends, but after months of planning for and dreaming about this day, they’re finally together in-person.

As they hike up the mountain, Jaxson is distracted by flashbacks—vivid thoughts about his mom’s deteriorating mental health and his worsening homelife. Meanwhile, South is trying to face their fear of heights, while worrying about disappointing their hyper critical dad. The two are so busy grappling with their inner struggles that they nearly jeopardize their friendship (and developing crush)…until it becomes clear they each have to make a tough decision. But are some things too big to say?

And, about the author and illustrator:

Phil Bildner is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-five books for young people, and the President and founder of The Author Village. A former attorney and middle school teacher in the New York City Public Schools, he is also a leading activist in the fight against censorship and book bans. Bildner is based in the Hudson Valley of New York. 

Mike Curato is an author and illustrator of books for children, teens, and adults, including his Little Elliot picture book series and his young adult graphic novel, Flamer, which was released to critical acclaim and has received several awards. Mike is based in western Massachusetts.