Javier and the Cone of Uncertainty: The Kids Under the Stairs

The Kids Under the Stairs series continues in this honest and hilarious novel-in-verse from award-winning author K.A. Holt. This fourth installment follows Javier--the artist, the quiet one, the funny one, the good friend--who finds himself on a collision course with a hurricane that shares his name.

Javier--or Javi--is the quiet, funny one in his friend group and an all-around easygoing guy who's also an artist. But as his ever-present sketchbook reveals, he has a lot going on beneath that calm exterior. Adding even more to his swirling thoughts is the giant hurricane bearing down on his small Florida town--a giant hurricane that shares his name and is forecast to make landfall close to his thirteenth birthday!

As the hurricane gets closer, school is closed, and Javi and his mom have to hunker down at home. Everything starts to feel even more stormy when the power goes out and Javi's teacher, Ms. J, brings her cat over so they can all wait out the storm together. Then, to make matters worse, it seems like his grandfather might be closer to the eye of the storm than he or his mom initially thought. This is not how he wanted to spend his birthday week! As the days stretch on and more and more of Javi's comfortable norms are upended, he'll have to face big changes and the big emotions that come with them.

Funny, wise, and moving, this riveting novel-in-verse celebrates friendship, family, and "divergent" thinking while also showing how you can find strength--and yourself--during the most uncertain of times.

RENOWNED AUTHOR: K.A. Holt's books have been nominated for awards in more than thirty states. She is a trusted name and a favorite for middle-grade readers!

PERFECT FOR RELUCTANT READERS: This book is written in free verse and includes a variety of other elements--chat logs, bullet-pointed lists, newspaper articles, and illustrations--welcoming all different types of readers. The characters in the book also struggle with reading, but they are not shamed or looked down on for it, so readers with similar issues will feel understood.

VIDEO GAME APPEAL: The characters in the book play Sandbox, which readers will instantly recognize as a fictionalized version of Minecraft, an immensely popular game. Playing Sandbox is depicted as both cool and educational, which will uplift rather than shame young readers for playing video games.

Perfect for:

• Reluctant readers
• Fans of video games and unique, multi-format stories
• Neurodiverse readers and fans of accessible middle-grade fiction
• Teachers, educators, and librarians
• Readers of The Kids Under the Stairs series, including BenBee and the Teacher Griefer, Ben Y and the Ghost in the Machine, and Jordan J and the Truth About Jordan J

Author: K. a. Holt
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 05/12/2026
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.27lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.98w x 1.02d
ISBN: 9781797206103
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 03/01/2026 pg. 66

About the Author

K.A. Holt is the author of Rhyme Schemer, House Arrest, Knockout, and Redwood and Ponytail, along with several other books for young people. She lives in Austin, Texas, and is active within the vibrant Texas writing community.