In the spirit of A Series of Unfortunate Events, Kara LeReau’s The Jolly Regina is the first in the middle-grade series The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters, starring Jaundice and Kale Bland, two sisters who avoid excitement at any cost.

The Bland Sisters eat tasteless oatmeal, rarely venture into bright sunlight, and read only Dr. Snoote’s Dictionary, because storybooks are just too thrilling. Together, they await the return of their parents, who left for an errand years ago and have never come back.

One day, a knock on the door leads to the Bland sisters’ kidnapping by an all-female band of pirates—but this is only the beginning of their escapades.

Filled with Roald Dahl–esque humor, hilarious high jinks, and swashbuckling, The Jolly Regina will appeal to middle-grade readers looking for an anything-but-bland adventure.

Illustrations by Jen Hill

The Unintentional Adventures of the Bland Sisters series:

The Jolly Regina (#1)

The Uncanny Express (#2)

Flight of the Bluebird (#3)