Beetle & the Chimera Carnival

Aliza Layne, Aliza Layne

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Paperback

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English

Atheneum
02 July 2025

Series: Beetle Books

Beetle and her friends attend a carnival full of dragons and magic, only to discover something sinister at play behind the scenes, in this delightful sequel to the Stonewall Honor–winning Beetle & the Hollowbones middle grade graphic novel.

Hidden behind the clouds, giant dragons guard the most powerful magic in the world from prying eyes. On one magical night, once every ten years, these leviathans reveal themselves to a fanfare of costumes, music, and parades in the Chimera Carnival.

But this time, something’s wrong.

When Beetle, Penny, and Kat decide to check out the empty carnival site one night, they discover an injured dragon screaming for help. And the more Beetle uncovers about the Chimera Carnival, the more sinister it gets. Dragons who arrive for the early festivities disappear without a trace. Beetle’s magic begins to go haywire. And Kat’s parents come back to town, worrying both girls about whether they have a future together.

In the catacombs beneath the demolished ’Allowstown mall, something hungers for dragon magic. And Beetle and her friends are already more entwined with it than they could possibly imagine.

By: Aliza Layne
Illustrated by: Aliza Layne
Imprint: Atheneum
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 23mm
Weight: 812g
ISBN: 9781665907477
ISBN 10: 1665907479
Series: Beetle Books
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 02 July 2025
Recommended Age: From 8 to 12 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Aliza Layne was raised by two married dogs but is now a cat. She makes monsters and goblins and Halloween costumes in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where she lives with her gay friends. Beetle & the Hollowbones, her first graphic novel, was a Stonewall Honor Book. Find more of her work for adults and kids at AlizaLayne.com.

Reviews for Beetle & the Chimera Carnival

* ""Layne's phenomenal sequel mixes fantasy, social themes, and an inclusive and unforgettable cast with a gentle, swoonworthy romance. The worldbuilding and magic systems are complex but accessible, brought to life with stunningly rendered, vibrant illustrations. . . . This volume makes a fine jumping-in point, but readers would be remiss to lose out on a single minute in this world. A wonderful, whimsical winner.""--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review