THE ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY AUDEN GREENE
Release Date: January 2026
In this poignant, magical tale by the acclaimed author of Eventown, two girls find themselves dropped into each other’s world—and must face down dragons they’ve only imagined.
Auden “Denny” Greene is happiest with her friend Runa, creating stories set in their imaginary land of Sorrowfeld, where princesses rule and cursed dragons are a constant danger. But now that they are turning twelve, Runa seems ready to give up on the magic of Sorrowfeld just when Denny needs it the most…
Princess Auden is the last remaining princess of Sorrowfeld—and on her twelfth birthday, she will be expected to vanquish the dragons that took her family. Only, when a swarm attacks her birthday celebration, all she can do is run…
But suddenly. Auden is in Denny’s world. And Denny is in Auden’s.
The two Audens have switched places. No one but them has any idea. And now, each girl must come into her own power in order to fight the other’s dragons.
The magical beasts of Impossible Creatures meet the body-swap of Freaky Friday, set in a world as fantastical as Wicked’s Oz!
REVIEWS
* A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
“Haydu’s compelling tale of friendship, family trauma, and magic is an emotional and beautifully crafted story. The plot is utterly immersive, and readers come to understand that both girls must face their distinct dragons in their own ways… An emotionally rich narrative of two girls facing tremendous stakes and learning how to trust themselves even in the chaos; a must-read.”
– STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal ★
“Even antagonistic characters are given nuance. Both girls find their way through their problems with courage, compassion, and creativity. The parallels between the story arcs shine, lending authenticity even to the most fantastical elements and adding emotional weight as the girls, who are cued white, grapple with the destructive aspects of grief and expectations. The ending emphasizes heart and understanding. Come for the fun, magical premise; stay for the hopeful, beautiful story.”
– STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus ★
“Haydu (The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple & Dorothy) tackles a bevy of complicated subjects involving substance reliance and peer pressure as the characters search for the strength to stand up for themselves. Fantastical, high-adrenaline action sequences sow fun throughout and juxtapose the weighty themes.”
– Publishers Weekly