Team Chu and the Battle of Blackwood Arena

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.

Julie C. Dao is the acclaimed author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix, and Song of the Crimson Flower (Penguin Random House/ Philomel) as well as Broken Wish (Disney/Hyperion). She leads many workshops, for places like the Highlights Foundation, and is a master of school visits. She 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