ROWAN AND GEMMA, by Sally J. Pla, Quill Tree Books, Oct. 20, 2026, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 10 and up)
Two neurodivergent tweens forge a friendship against the backdrop of their feuding families in Rowan and Gemma, by Sally J. Pla.
Rowan Monahan has lived in the town of Friendship Prairie forever. He knows everyone, and they know him. Some folks judge him, too, for being a slow learner. But Rowan knows in his heart that he’s capable of more than people think.
Gemma Caplan is new in town. Back in the city, people understood she used her assistive device (AAC) to speak. But here in tiny Friendship Prairie, she’s afraid she won’t fit in.
When Rowan and Gemma meet, they form an instant, magic bond. But just as the two are growing close, their mothers start a feud: they’re running terribly nasty campaigns against each other for school board.
Since their moms detest each other, Gemma and Rowan feel they must keep their connection a secret.
When they’re discovered and punished, Rowan and Gemma decide it’s time to take a stand — and show their families what a place called Friendship Prairie is supposed to be about. —Synopsis provided by Quill Tree Books
Rowan and Gemma is a Romeo and Juliet-type novel featuring tweens who, in the process of searching for belonging and a safe space, find both in each other.
The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of Rowan and Gemma.
Rowan is a kid with a stutter who struggles in school and just wants to be treated like everyone else. Rowan has a big heart and sees things more clearly than many adults who surround him.
Gemma is nonverbal. She uses a tablet to speak and she’s easily overwhelmed. She’s incredibly smart and just wishes people who give her the time she needs to express herself.
Both Rowan and Gemma’s moms are go-getters. The have strong personalities and opinions, and they aren’t afraid to let them be known. One wants her community to stay how it always has, the other wants to help build the community into something more, something stronger. In their haste to make their viewpoints known, the two end up placing their children smack in the middle.
Rowan and Gemma is a thoughtful novel that does two major things. 1) It provides visibility for neurodivergent readers who get to see part of themselves in starring roles. 2) It helps neurotypical readers understand neurodivergences in general and provides a framework for how they can support those who are different.
With short chapters and warm text, Rowan and Gemma is fast-moving and accessible. It’s a sweet MG romance that makes you think.
About the author:
Award-winning children’s author Sally J. Pla includes neurodiversity, humor, empathy, compassion, joy, and acceptance in her books.
She is the Schneider Family Award winning author of The Fire, The Water, And Maudie Mcginn, the Dolly Gray Award winner The Someday Birds, and many other acclaimed novels and picture books. Her books have been translated into lots of languages, have starred reviews, and appear on at least 27 state awards lists and many “best book of the year” roundups.
Sally has appeared on television and radio as an author and neurodiversity advocate. She also runs the kidlit website resource, A Novel Mind. She believes in kindness, respect, and the beauty of different brains. We are all stars shining with different lights!
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