This summer read is sure to make a SPLASH! In Last Day Pool Party by Emma Steinkellner, the only thing standing in the way of summer break is a pool party that has the potential to be a splashing success or go totally off the deep end!
For the kids of Orange Grove Junior High, the freedom of summer break is just around the corner. All that stands in their way is Dustin’s last day of school pool party – and everything hinges on it being a success. But as the least popular kid in class, even with the promise of one of his amazing cake creations, he’s worried no one will come.
But he’s not the only one hoping to make a splash at the pool party – it turns out, everyone’s got big hopes and high stakes riding on the big day. After her name gets skipped over at graduation, Rose decides she’s tired of being invisible and is determined to stand out. Liv is hosting auditions for a new BFF when she finds out that Juhi forgot to tell her she’s moving to London. Popular girl Maya reluctantly attends when her mom insists, but there’s history between her and Dustin that could change everything. And Paul? He’s doing his best to lay low with his video games and avoid the chaos.
But with everyone’s expectations even higher than the high dive, the drama, mishaps, and unexpected twists the last day of school is about to be even weirder and wilder than they could have ever imagined!
From the bestselling author of the Okay Witch series comes a contemporary graphic novel about the only thing standing between the kids of Orange Grove Junior High and summer break—one party, and a whole lot of drama.
Six very different kids’ stories collide at an unforgettable last day pool party in this hilarious and relatable story about friendship, popularity and the messiness of growing up.
When her name gets skipped at the eighth-grade graduation ceremony, Rose decides she is done being invisible. She’s determined to finally stand out and make her unfulfilled middle school dreams come true at the upcoming pool party. But she’s not the only one who wants to make a splash…BFFs Liv and Juhi are on the verge of a friend break-up when Juhi reveals her family is moving, and Liv uses the party as a chance to scout for a new bestie. Queen bee Maya was forced by her mom to come to unpopular Dustin’s party to be “nice”. And meanwhile, her not-so-social cousin Paul is just trying to avoid all the pool party pandemonium.
By the time the sun sets, unexpected twists and ridiculous mishaps will make this the weirdest, wildest last day of school ever. Get ready, because this party is about to go off the deep end.
Last Day Pool Party
AUTHOR: Emma Steinkellner
PUBLISHER: Labyrinth Road
DATE: April 7, 2026
Last Day Pool Party is the must-read graphic novel of summer, with every colorful panel packed with funny antics, relatable friend drama, and so much heart. You’ll be wishing you could cannonball into this friend group as you turn the last page (but watch out for the cake!).
Before you dive into this sunny new read, get to know Liv, Juhi, Paul, Rose, Maya, and Dustin in this EXCLUSIVE Last Day Pool Party minicomic by Emma Steinkellner. From gaming consoles to bag charms and free slushie punch cards, here’s what the kids of Last Day Pool Party need for the ultimate summer bash!
MINICOMIC: The Kids of LAST DAY POOL PARTY Share Their Summer Starter Packs
📚✨MORE MINICOMICS: We’ve got minicomics based on all your fav graphic novels – CLICK, JUNIE B. JONES, NAT ENOUGH, and more! CLICK HERE!
