Awkward Author and Illustrator Svetlana Chmakova Returns to Berrybrook Middle School with New Graphic Novel

Awkward Author and Illustrator Svetlana Chmakova Returns to Berrybrook Middle School

with New Graphic Novel

Fight is the Latest Installment in the Critically-acclaimed Series

NEW YORK, NY — April 17, 2026 — JY for Kids, the middle grade imprint of Yen Press, LLC, is excited to announce that four years after the release of Enemies in 2022, book six in the beloved Berrybrook Middle School series by Svetlana Chmakova will be released in Q4 2026. Filled with the trademark humor and heart of her previous titles, Fight is a story told from the perspective of Foster, a complicated and compelling character who was one of the two bullies featured in the second Berrybrook Middle School story titled Brave. Also joining Foster in this exciting new volume are Jensen, a member of the Art Club as well as the lovable protagonist from Brave, and Jaime, the memorable member of the Science Club who fans have been yearning to see more of since he was introduced in the starting volume Awkward.

“Foster’s story always felt unresolved to me, like it was only just really beginning at the end of Brave,” said creator Svetlana Chmakova. “What became of him after that final scene with Jensen? I wanted to know and am glad I got the chance to find out and share it with the readers in Fight.”

Fight

By Svetlana Chmakova 

Foster's goals for middle school: minimize work, maximize fun! His golden rule? Avoid battles you can't win. Armed with these guidelines, roasting a nerd now and then ought to be okay, right? Turns out, not so much. When he and his buddy Yanic land a suspension, Foster tries to shrug it off. No one's really getting hurt, he's sure. But when he gets back to school, Foster now finds a target on his back. Oh, well. That's how it goes, right? Some days you're on top, some days you're not...But if this is normal, why does nothing seem to make sense anymore...?

Also available from JY for Kids are Volumes 1 and 2 of The Weirn Books series, an amazing supernatural series that also comes from the mind of Svetlana Chmakova. Follow JY for Kids to stay tuned for more information on Svetlana Chmakova and the upcoming release of Fight.

Svetlana Chmakova was born and raised in Russia until the age of 16, when her family emigrated to Canada. She quickly made a name for herself with works like Dramacon, Nightschool, the manga adaptation of James Patterson's Witch & Wizard, and the webcomic Chasing Rainbows. She graduated from Sheridan College with a three-year Classical Animation Diploma. Her latest work for middle grade readers, Awkward, has been a runaway critical success and was named one of YALSA's 2016 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens!

About JY for Kids

JY, the middle grade graphic novel division of Yen Press, LLC, was established in 2017. This imprint is a sign of the Yen Press commitment to actively growing a catalog of quality content targeting middle grade audiences while making that content easily identifiable for parents, booksellers, librarians, and educators. For more information, visit www.jyforkids.com.

About Yen Press, LLC

Yen Press, LLC, is a joint venture between Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group. Founded in 2006, Yen Press has quickly risen to become one of the largest and most prolific publishers of manga and original graphic novels in the North American marketplace and a driving force in the introduction of light novels and Japanese literature to new readers through its Yen On and Yen Audio imprints. For more information, visit www.yenpress.com.

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