About

Sally J. Pla is the award-winning author of acclaimed middle-grade novels THE SOMEDAY BIRDS, THE FIRE, THE WATER, AND MAUDIE McGINN, and STANLEY WILL PROBABLY BE FINE, and the picture book, BENJI, THE BAD DAY, & ME. Her books are Junior Library Guild Selections with starred reviews that have appeared on many awards lists and “best books” roundups. Sally has appeared on television and radio as an author and autism advocate, and she runs the website resource A Novel Mind (anovelmind.com). Sally believes in kindness, respect, and the beauty of different brains -- we are all stars shining with different lights! Visit her at www.sallyjpla.com.

Featured Work

The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn

2023
silhouette of young girl staring out at enormous waves at sunset - colors of fiery red-orange sky blend to blue-green of ocean.

Neurodivergent Maudie is ready to spend an amazing summer with her dad, but will she find the courage to tell him a terrible secret about life with her mom and new stepdad? This contemporary novel by the award-winning author of The Someday Birds is a must-read.

Other Works

  • Ada and Zaz

    2023

  • Stanley Will Probably Be Fine

    2018

  • Benji, The Bad Day, and Me

    2018

  • The Someday Birds

    2017

Awards and Recognition

  • THE SOMEDAY BIRDS: – Winner of the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award for 2018 – New York Public Library Best Children’s Book of 2017 – Junior Library Guild Selection 2017 – Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee – Bank Street Best Children’s Book of 2017 – Publishers Weekly Starred Review – Shelf Awareness Starred Review – CommonSense Media Five Star Rating – Nerdies Award Winner 2017 – Dorothy Canfield Fisher (VT) Book Award Nominee – Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee – Wisconsin Library Ass’n Children’s Book Award Finalist – Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee - Amazon "Teacher's Pick"
  • STANLEY: A New York Public Library Best Kids Book * A Kirkus Best Book * A Bank Street Best Children's Book * Amazon "Teacher's Pick"
  • BENJI: Bank Street Best Children's Book, Winner of San Diego Book Award 2019, Amazon "Teacher's Pick," CCBC Choices

Press and Media Mentions