The Cardboard Kingdom is a middle grade graphic novel about a group of kids that transform their backyards one summer to create an entire kingdom complete with dwellings, costumes, personas and the best adventures of their lives.
The kids create a "cardboard kingdom" comprised of twelve separate areas including the Knight's Armory, Prince's Castle, a Rogue's Den, Becky's Blacksmith shop, and much more. The kids take on various identities that mirror their own and expand on what they wish they could be. The message that you can choose and celebrate who you want to be in a safe and welcoming environment that is so, so much fun is THE BEST EVER. The cast of characters is all-inclusive and even the neighborhood bully gets welcomed into the fold.
The primary author, Chad Sell, grew up in Central Wisconsin in a neighborhood that he describes as similar to that depicted in The Cardboard Kingdom. Each chapter of the book is co-written by Sell and another writer: Vid Alliger, Manuel Betancourt, Michael Cole, David DeMeo, Jay Fuller, Cloud Jacobs, Barbara Perez Marquez, Kris Moore, Molly Muldoon, and Katie Schenkel. All of the stories are illustrated by Sell. And the final result is a magical inspiration.