Justin Clooney and the Door to India: 1

Twelve-year-old Justin Clooney still plays make-believe in the woods. It's the only place they can pretend their brother Simon never disappeared. So when a storm drives Justin into a neighborhood that shouldn't exist-a street lined with houses from places they've only ever searched online-they run through the door of a golden palace to escape a monstrous beast. The door leads to Bengaluru, India. Now Justin is being called a wizard. There are magicians, talking tigers, flying elephants, and a dangerous creature that Justin accidentally unleashed. To save their new friends, Justin must learn to use magic before the beast destroys everything in its path. But becoming the wizard everyone believes they are means embracing the part of themselves they've spent their whole life hiding. And if Justin can survive long enough, they might finally discover the truth about what happened to Simon.Perfect for readers who love: - Middle grade fantasy adventures - Portal fantasy books - LGBTQ+ middle grade fantasy - Queer coming-of-age stories - Magical worlds and hidden kingdoms - Talking animal fantasy - Indian-inspired fantasy settings - Emotionally powerful middle grade books - Wizard stories and magical adventures - Books like Amari and the Night Brothers, Nevermoor, and The Girl Who Drank the Moon - Stories about identity, belonging, and family - Fantasy books with missing sibling mysteries - Clean middle grade fantasy for ages 10-14