Roxie in Color

by Diane Debrovner, Stacy Cervenka

Roxie wants to blend in at a new school, which is hard to do when your parents are blind, in this remarkable novel about friendship, misperceptions, and family—plus a dog’s view of the world.

Roxie loves her parents, but other people can’t seem to see past the fact that they’re blind—and they don’t really see Roxie, either. To them, she’s just “the girl with the blind parents.” So when her family moves to a new town and Roxie starts seventh grade at a new school, she’s determined to be known for the other parts of who she is: an artist, an animal lover, and the kind of person who bakes cookies for people she cares about for no special reason. But that means keeping her parents’ blindness a secret from the kids at school and definitely not telling anyone that she might inherit the eye condition that caused her mother’s vision loss—at least until they get to know her.

For a while, Roxie is happier than she’s ever been. But when her lies and omissions lead to a visit from Child Protective Services, will Roxie find and the courage to be fully honest with her friends, her parents, and herself? This heartfelt depiction of a girl establishing her own identity, with some chapters told from the perspective of her mother’s loyal guide dog, is an authentic portrayal of the joys, challenges, and everyday ordinariness of being raised by parents who have a disability.

Note: The novel is typeset in Atkinson Hyperlegible, a font developed by Braille Institute specifically for low-vision readers.

Genres: Middle Grade, Disability, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile, Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2026

About the author

Diane Debrovner believes that great stories start with unforgettable characters. As a middle grade author, journalist, and former magazine editor, she writes for anyone who’s ever felt different, left out, or unsure where they belong. Her debut novel, Roxie in Color (Candlewick Press, 2026), co-authored with Stacy Cervenka, was sparked by her article “What Blind Parents Want You to See.” Before turning to fiction, Diane spent many years as deputy editor of Parents Magazine, where she covered child development, education, health, and books. Her work has been featured on TODAY, Good Morning America, CBS Early Show, and CNN, and she’s hosted podcasts and panels on parenting and family life. She now helps nonprofits share their stories to secure grant funding. Diane lives in New York City with her family and a dog who loves watermelon.

Reviews

[Vivienne Elker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!!!!!! It really made me have a better understanding of what blind people are capable of and I learned they can do anything!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new school means an opportunity to make friends and actually do so many of the things Roxie missed at her old school, but she is certain that keeping her parents’ blindness is key to change.

Roxie’s father was born blind and her mother’s blindness came during teen years due to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and while they are capable, independent, successful adults and are well-loved by their children, Roxie has experienced some teasing, there was an undeserved report to Child Protection Services, and a traumatic (at least from Roxie’s perspective) Cupcake Incident. As a result, Roxie is determined that in a new school, she needs to find a friend or two and then slowly and carefully introduce them to her parents and Nash, her mom’s service dog. All is going according to plan with a quick connection to Kayla and when Roxie’s quick thinking saves Quinn from being struck by a car, her inclusion into a group of girls is cemented. But this is middle grade realistic fiction, so plans have to come undone or at least become complicated.

Like most jr high school girls, Roxie makes mistakes both large and small and must fix damaged trust as well as navigate questions about her risk of inheriting the RP gene, explore new opportunities to share her artistic talent, and learn to stand up and speak up for not only herself, but her parents and the greater blind community. Excellent information provided to readers regarding the technology and life adaptations used by those who are blind, at least one potentially new painting technique called pointillism, and great encouragement to step out of their comfort zone in order to make new discoveries and possibly, friends.

Recommended for book collections serving grades 4-7 especially if looking for more disability representation and/or if realistic fiction in a school setting has high circulation.

Target age: grades 4-7 (altho the over 300 pages may make it a challenge for those on the lower end of that range)
Profanity: none
Violence: none
Sexual content: none
Representation: There are a number of blind characters, both adult and one young child, some who use a cane to navigate the world and others who prefer a guide dog.
LBGTQ+: none

Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss.

[Annisha Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxie in ColorA middle-grade novel that sees you and dares you to be seen.

What if you could paint over the worst moments of middle school the way you paint a wall—layer by layer, color by color?

Roxie in Color follows Roxie Glass, a seventh grader starting over at a new school with one big hope: this time, she won’t be the girl with blind parents she’ll just be Roxie. An artist. A kid who loves butter pecan ice cream. Someone who belongs.

Roxie doesn’t just like color; she feels it. Color is how she understands the world, her emotions, and the people around her. When words fail, paint speaks. Watching Roxie navigate friendship, fear, and self-discovery through art is quietly breathtaking, making every page feel alive.

This book captures middle school with startling accuracy: the way lunch tables feel like battlegrounds, the courage it takes to say “Can I sit here?”, and how one moment of kindness can change everything. The friendships are messy, hopeful, and honest. The stakes feel enormous because when you’re twelve, they are.

And then there’s Nash, the family’s guide dog, whose chapters add warmth, humor, and emotional grounding in the best possible way. Through him, we see love, responsibility, and loyalty in action—and we see Roxie’s family as they truly are: capable, loving, and whole.

What makes Roxie in Color stand out is its heart. It doesn’t ask for pity. It offers understanding. It invites readers to think about visibility, disability, and difference not as problems to solve, but as parts of life that shape who we become.

This is the kind of book kids will press into a friend’s hands and say, “You have to read this.” It’s for readers who love art, for kids figuring out where they fit, and for anyone who has ever wished they could start over and do it braver this time.

Don’t miss this one.

[J.E. Pinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reding "Roxy in Color," I couldn’t put the book down. I had to see what happened next. I finished the whole book in one sitting. 😊

I loved Roxy's growth throughout the story. I loved the way Nash’s point of view was included. I loved Roxy's expression of her feelings through art. I liked her friend group at school, and I thought the pull of wanting to be included versus wanting to do the right thing was very powerfully shown. I liked how Charlie showed Roxy a different perspective about having blind parents than she had thought of before. I liked the fact that the cupcake lady and her daughter turned out to have a stomach bug, and the way Roxy stood up to her but managed to turn that situation into something positive with the videos. I like the way Roxy was able to solve the CPS problem herself, at least in part, by making the videos. I really liked the way Roxy's favorite house on the block, the one with the red swing, turned out not to be what it appeared from the outside. At times, I felt the explanations about blindness skills went on a little too long, but maybe that’s because I’m blind and all that stuff is mundane to me. People who aren’t blind might really want to know every detail of how we cook and how we tag our clothes, etc.

I’m also glad the story of CPS interfering in the lives of blind parents is getting told. In thirty-five states, disabled parents can still lose their children in custody disputes or child abuse or neglect cases simply on the grounds of disability, when no other evidence against them is present. As a disabled author, I believe word needs to be spread about the terrible injustice of the situation in any way possible, and fiction is a good option because people learn while they’re relaxed and not feeling defensive.

Great book! We need more books in which disabled characters are neither heroes nor invalids, but just people living their normal lives.

I received an advance reader copy of "Roxy in Color."

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read that manages to be both genuinely fun and deeply inclusive at the same time. There is so much more happening beneath the surface of this story than you might initially expect, and I think that layered approach makes it especially impactful for younger readers.

I experienced this one on audio, which honestly felt like the perfect format for the story because it allows you to become completely immersed in Lucy’s world. Hearing the perspective of Nash, Luca’s mother’s guide dog, added such a unique dimension to the listening experience. Narrators Aria Mia Loberti and Jeff Ebner both did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to listen through the PRH Audio Influencer Program ahead of publication.

What especially stood out to me was how rarely we see stories centered around a sighted child with disabled parents and the ways that impacts daily life emotionally, socially, and practically. This book tackles that beautifully through Lucy’s experiences with her parents, who are both blind but came to blindness through very different circumstances. The story is packed with moments and details that will likely feel incredibly validating for children in similar situations while also helping peers better understand disability, accessibility, and respectful behavior in an organic way.

Lucy herself is far from perfect, which honestly made her feel believable. She makes several questionable decisions throughout the story, and while I do think the book’s biggest weakness may be the lack of deeper exploration surrounding parental consequences, there were definitely natural consequences woven into the narrative. There’s honestly so much more I could say, but this is definitely one where I don’t want to spoil the journey for future readers.

This is absolutely a MUST for both home and school libraries. More importantly, though, it deserves to be actively recommended to students and not simply left sitting quietly on a shelf. Its impact and relatability extend far beyond the blindness and visual disability community alone.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Roxie wants is the ability to blend in and be a kid like everyone else, but that is difficult to do because both of her parents are blind. So, when Roxie's family moves to a new home and a new middle school, Roxie seizes the opportunity to begin seventh grade and make friends who will just think she is normal. Keeping secrets is hard, though, especially when reality has a way of making itself known at the most inopportune moments. And the more Roxie tries to hide, the more she must ultimately decide who she wants to be and how she can learn to accept and embrace every aspect of her life.

This contemplative middle grade novel invites readers into the life of a sighted girl with blind parents. Written in a way that is both approachable and relatable, the book will appeal to middle grade readers who appreciate contemporary fiction storytelling. Told in the alternating perspectives of Roxie and her dog Nash, the narrative has a playful quality that gives readers insight into multiple layers of Roxie’s experience. Frequent discussions about the treatment and discrimination of blind people appear throughout the narrative, helping to educate readers about these important issues within the context of a fictional story. An undercurrent of anxiety runs through the plot, both outwardly with Roxie's desire to fit in with her friends and inwardly with Roxie's concern about inheriting her mother's genetic eye condition. As a result, Roxie models behavior that manages her big feelings and weaves easily into the narrative. This book is well-suited to both independent reading and group discussion, especially in settings in which thoughtful readers have permission to explore life experiences that may differ from their own. Well-designed for a middle grade audience, this book is a positive addition to library collections featuring stories that embrace family, friendship, and self-acceptance.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I found it very different from other books I've read. I liked that it was the perspective of the sighted children who have blind parents. It really gave a different view of what the parents go through or gone through in the past plus the pressure on the children of the possiblity of being taken away from "thoughtful people helping".

I loved every aspect of this story from mom's guide dog to dad always using his white cane! The story flowed so well it was hard to put down!

This story would be a great read aloud for upper elementary and middle school classes. I can imagine lots of questions from students and getting to understand more about how blind and low vision people go to school and work and go shopping, etc. It's not a huge part of the story but it is touched upon enough to get the sense of what their day to day tasks look like. How some people just assume so much negativity without really know the truth of how much they can do on their own.

Roxy and her brother help out their parents when needed but they don't always rely on using their eyes unless it's necessary. Plus with so many more resources available these days they do just fine on their own. Roxy is still un sure how her new school with react to her parents being blind that she doesn't tell anyone that fact unless absolutely necessary. She doesn't want any repeats of what happened at her old school.

Definitely a must-have for all libraries!

#DianeDebrovner #RoxieInColor #NewRelease #ReadABook #ReadThisBook #Books #Read #MGReads #MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #ElementaryBooks #ElemReads #Edelweiss #Goodreads #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #PublicLibraries #PublicLibrarians ​

[Deborah Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book; it combines information about blindness with the perennially popular topic of middle school girls' friendships. The authors really captured the middle school culture; the needing to fit in, the bullying, the fragile friendships, the embarrassment about your parents. Roxie has been bullied at elementary school because both of her parents are blind. When the family moves, she hopes to fit in and decides not to share this information with her new tentative friend group. This goes badly wrong when she is forced to lie to her lovely, caring parents. Of course this is not sustainable, her parents show up at school and all is revealed. Most of the girls seem to take it in stride with a few questions, but Queen Bee Quinn is another story. A lot of information about blindness is shared, we meet parental friends who also have blind parents and Child Protective Services gets involved when Quinn persuades the girls to sneak out at night. For me, the novel skewed into bibliotherapy which is a shame, because the guide dog also has chapters! Nash loves his family and shares his thoughts of helping blind people. This part was fascinating and well done and dealing with parents' disability is a great topic in a middle school novel. Will middle school girls enjoy this book? Yes, I think so. Roxie's insecurity will ring true and it is worth sharing with this age group.

[Sara Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight! The co-authors take a familiar new-kid-in-school story and add so much depth. Roxie is a seventh grader facing a new school with the hope that things will be better than at her old school. There, she was seen only as the kid with blind parents, often teased and hassled. Her parents were treated disrespectfully, also. To get a fresh start, Roxie decides to keep her parents' blindness a secret.

The co-authors do several innovative things in this novel. First, the BIG SECRET is resolved halfway through the book instead of hanging over the whole book which is so refreshing. They also use two narrators - Roxie and Nash, her mother's guide dog. There are only a few of Nash's chapters, and they serve as a way to see Roxie from outside of herself. Nash is also a wise dog, a nice break from the squirrel-distracted frantic dog narrators. This light touch with Nash provides a nice balance without derailing Roxie's narrative.

The co-authors also handle the blindness of the parents with a caring and respectful touch. They dispel ableist stereotypes deftly, without getting preachy.

Finally, the friend story line has a nice balance of good friends doing nice things and regular kids doing stupid things.

Just a wonderful addition to middle grade.

[Ari Koontz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As seventh grader Roxie navigates life in a new town where nobody knows her or her family, she has to make a lot of difficult choices about which parts of her life to share, whether she wants to fit in or stand out, and how to be vulnerable (and honest!) even when it's scary.

I absolutely ADORED this book - not only is it an incredibly thoughtful and accessible educational tool for kids with an interest in or experience with blindness, but Roxie was such a delightful protagonist to follow and of course so was Nash! Seriously, I now want every book I read to be interspersed with wagging dog thoughts!! The family dynamics here were beautifully complex, and Debrovner and Cervenka do such a good job of naming discrimination in clear, strong language, as well as offering examples of how such moments can be handled & how people's minds can sometimes be changed. So many important lessons for both kids and adults to chew on! And, of course, it's all wrapped up in the earnestness and awkwardness and joy of middle school friendship. An all-around-beautiful MG novel, painted in brilliant swirling colors <3

[Jenny Mattern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxie in Color is a heartfelt, unique, important middle grade novel. Even though it's over 300 pages, I read it in three sittings because the story was so engaging. It tells the story of Roxie, a middle-schooler who is excited to get a fresh start after her family moves to a new town. In her old school, Roxie felt like everyone knew (and judged) her as the kid with two blind parents. Starting over in a brand new school feels like a chance to reinvent herself as plain-old Roxie, a girl who loves to paint, is a loyal friend, and enjoys spending time with her dog, Nash. (She conveniently leaves out the fact that Nash is also her mom's guide dog.)

Things go smoothly...at first...but keeping secrets is exhausting, especially when your parents are as involved and supportive as Roxie's are, and soon Roxie is faced with the very real possibility that she's spoiled her fresh start and hurt her parents in the meantime.

As I read, this lovely story had me examining some ableist viewpoints I was harboring as a sighted person, and taught me a lot about important accommodations that are often missing for the blind.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roxie in Color is the story of Roxie, a middle school aged girl who is ready to start at a new middle school where no one knows her - and no one knows that she has blind parents. Roxie doesn't want to be THAT girl; she just wants to be Roxie! At first, everything is going well - Roxie makes new friends, manages to leave out that her parents are blind and is juggling all that being a middle school girl has to offer. But secrets can be heavy and Roxie finds it isn't as easy as she thought. When a typical teen misjudgment puts the family into the spotlight, Roxie grows in her understanding of what makes her family special.

The book addresses so many challenges that middle grade readers can relate to - the dynamics of friendship, the relationship changes between parents and teens, pesky little brothers, and more. It also introduces readers to what it may be like to have someone in your family who is blind - and how blind parents navigate a world made for the seeing. As a bonus, some of the chapters are narrated by Nash, a seeing eye guide dog. The book is charming, a fun read, and definitely relatable for readers.

[Debra Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of a girl whose parents are both blind. However, she is sighted and is an artist. Throughout the story, she points out the different ways blind persons experience the world and the ways they adapt to it. It is packed with information about blindness. Roxie talks about what it is like to be a child of blind parents. At her old school, Roxie experienced cruel mocking from other kids and often felt left out or included out of pity. When they move to a new town, Roxie tries to hide her parents disabilities so it won't happen again. She makes new friends, but doesn't want them to come to her house. When they finally learn her parents are blind, she finds her friends are totally okay with it!

If there is any criticism to be had with this book, it is that there is almost too much information. It starts to detract from the story a bit. My spouse is blind, and we've both read this book. We were completely blown away by how accurate the portrayal is of both the blind person's life and the changes the sighted person makes in their life to make it all work for both.

[Amanda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told from the perspective of a middle-schooler, the insights into her feelings are spot on. As a reader, I could sympathize with so many of the big feelings Roxie was experiencing. I was equally shocked at some of the experiences she describes surrounding discrimination and biases with regards to blind people. Being a part of a group which has a disability that is often ‘unseen’ on the outside is a struggle for all involved. The authors do a wonderful job sharing those feelings and the confusion that a family member may experience - wanting to support their family but wanting to feel normal. I would highly recommend this book for families to read together, talking about ways to support friends and family who have a disability or a family member with one. It is an enjoyable, fast read with every day characters to which many readers can relate.

[Christine Thomas Alderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great middle grade novel taking the struggles and triumphs of tweens/teens navigating friends and family seriously. Roxie loves to paint, loves her family, and her best friend: her mom’s service dog. But she’s ready for real friends, too. Should she tell her new friends at her new school that her parents are blind? It did not go well at her last school, so why can’t her parents understand she doesn’t want people to know her as that girl with the blind parents. Well, they might understand, if she could bear to tell them. Teens and tweens will see themselves in Roxie and all the colors and shades of her experience. This book would also make a great classroom read aloud.

ARC provided by author.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a FANTASTIC #ownvoices debut middle grade novel about Roxie, an artistic young girl whose parents are both blind. I really enjoyed it and liked that the story was told from her perspective and what having visually impaired parents was like. She's often embarrassed to tell people about her parents because she was bullied in her old school. When a concerned neighbor calls CPS on her parents they have to prove they are capable and their two children aren't being neglected - something many disabled parents have had to deal with. Relatable, humorous and full of depth, this was great on audio and I can't recommend it more!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxie is hoping for a fresh start in her new town and school. She was bullied (and worse) at her previous school because both her parents are legally blind. There is always the worry of drawing too much attention because her family has been investigated – and cleared – when busybodies do not understand how they function. Roxie also has to decide whether to take the genetic test to determine whether she too will lose her sight as she gets older. With occasional chapters written from her mom’s guide dog’s perspective, this book gives a fascinating and informative look at how blind people navigate the world and thrive as parents.

[Ona Gritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxie Glass is a relatable, creative, dimensional, and easy-to-root-for protagonist. I loved getting to know her, her train-obsessed little brother, and their parents, both blind, who are steadfast, loving, resilient, and so much more capable than some neighbors and acquaintances are ready to believe. Theirs is a family middle grade readers will want to spend time with, and Roxie, who will do just about anything to hold onto her first real friend group, will have them turning pages, hearts beating fast. Roxie in Color is as compelling as it is enlightening. I couldn’t put it down!

[T.C. Kemper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a debut MG ARC tour and loved it! Roxie’s struggles with fitting in, finding her way forward at a new school, and navigating the world’s unfair, external pressures on having blind parents are written in a way that feels rich and real.
I also learned a lot about disability accommodations and what blindness in America can mean for different types of families.
Not only is this book an important read, but it’s also one that will make you tear up at the end. A fantastic read!!

[Pamela Rappaport morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a rarity in children’s literature when a book can create such a detailed world of resiliency, and pride in one’s self. Roxie is the daughter of two blind parents. While the story does focus on struggles and challenges that arise because of this, the book focuses on typical trials and tribulations of a preteen. Roxie, a talented artist, is a 7th grader who deals with social challenges, friendships, peer pressure and making mistakes. This is a wonderful, easy story that will endear all readers to Roxie and her family.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect one of my top reads of the year to star a bunch of 7th graders… and yet here we are.

Is it written for a younger audience? Yes.
Did I love it anyway as a fully grown adult? Also yes.

This book is charming in all the best ways—well written, perfectly paced, and full of characters who are mostly delightful (they are middle schoolers, after all). It’s a story packed with perseverance, friendship, family, hope, and a thoughtful look into the blind community.

My favorite parts were the chapters from Nash's POV!

You won’t be disappointed.

[Monica Reha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom suggested I read Roxie in Color so we could discuss it together in our informal mother-daughter book club. Roxie is a seventh grader who just moved to a new school, hoping to find a solid friend group after things didn't go so well socially at her last one. Determined not to repeat that experience, she decides to keep her blind parents a secret until she's settled into her new social circle.

I grew up with a blind mom and a low-vision dad, so I'm pretty picky about how blindness gets portrayed in fiction. Most of the time, it's not done well. This book is an exception. It felt authentic to me, and it managed to be informative without being preachy, doing a nice job of explaining how blind people accomplish everyday tasks for readers who might not be familiar with how some things are done. Roxie's parents are professionals: intelligent, competent, and clearly caring. Even so, a neighbor calls CPS because, in her mind, "there's no possible way children can be safe with blind parents." It's an infuriating moment, but also an unfortunately familiar one for many people with disabilities.

Reading this book brought back a lot of my own childhood, and I saw real similarities between Roxie and seventh-grade me. It's both a great accessibility primer and a genuinely good story.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this middle grade realistic fiction about peer pressure and fitting in. I think this is the first middle grade book I have read that features blind characters and a guide dog. I learned so much, and I’m glad my students will be able to learn from this book too because I was lucky enough to get a signed copy for my middle school library! Did you know that the Braille Institute developed a font, Atkinson Hyperlegible, for low vision readers? The print copy of this book uses the font.

[Elly Swartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Roxie in Color by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka is a heartfelt gift of a story! Readers will fall in love with Roxie as she navigates misperceptions, secrets, and the nuances of middle school friendships. And they will cheer for her when she finds her courage, her voice, and the true meaning of family. Highly recommend!

I was honored to receive an arc of this book from the author.

[Lauren E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming and very readable story that will definitely hit home with any young reader who has ever just longed to fit in. It's a terrific way for kids to learn a bit about the challenges of living with a disability. And for dog lovers, the chapters narrated by guide dog Nash are an absolute delight!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so well done! I loved watching Roxie navigate the struggles of a middle school kid while also dealing with some embarrassment from having blind parents. I also loved that some of the chapters were told from Nash's POV. He's the guard dog in the book. Lots of good description about guard dog training, visual impairments and different artists.

[Alysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well done. Roxie is starting a new school and has decided to keep her parents' blindness a secret. It has so many layers (friendship, bullying, going with your gut to name a few) as well as informing the readers about the blind community and the Americans With Disability Act. Books like this are needed in our world to create more empathy.

[Marissa Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, sweet, and with tremendously lovable characters. The chapters from the dog’s POV were so cute, and I found myself incredibly invested in Roxie’s journey finding friends and acceptance. Readers of all ages will get a lot out of this book, especially from its messages about accessibility!

[Tiffany Painter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book about a girl starting at a new school filled with all the worries of a seventh grader. The fact that her parents are blind adds a new level, but also reminds the reader how important and hard it is to stand up to outsiders.

[Janice Milusich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxie in Color is a multi-layered middle-grade novel in which readers will find themselves quickly connecting with its characters, the obstacles they face and will, by the end if not sooner, have them rooting for the entire Glass family, including Nash and Baxter!