Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
0 0
Download high-resolution image

Dory Fantasmagory: Center of the Universe

Part of Dory Fantasmagory

Author Abby Hanlon
Illustrated by Abby Hanlon
Paperback
$7.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Dial Books
5-1/16"W x 7-3/4"H
On sale May 05, 2026 | 160 Pages | 9780593857588
Grades 2-5
Reading Level: Lexile 580L | Fountas & Pinnell M
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

See Additional Formats
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Dory joins her first soccer team in this bestselling, laugh-out-loud chapter book series about an imaginative little rascal with a big personality. Perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean!

“Some of the best children’s literature in years.” —New York Magazine

Dory is on her first soccer team with her best friends, Rosabelle and George. She’s ready to score a billion goals, but Rosabelle is having a meltdown over wearing cleats, and George is mysteriously acting like a baby. So, Dory attempts to befriend a new teammate, Valentina. But making a new friend isn’t so easy, especially when Valentina kicks the ball perfectly every time, steals all the attention, and has a way of making a billion sound kinda small. Determined to outshine Valentina as the star of the team, Dory seeks help from her reliable imagination to flip the score.

Complete with pencil-drawn pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious series about a lovably energetic little sister and her antics is sure to keep the whole family laughing.

Be sure to check out the entire Dory Fantasmagory series, which continues to grow alongside everyone’s favorite little rascal, Dory! Look for them all:

Dory Fantasmagory
Dory Fantasmagory: The Real, True Friend
Dory Fantasmagory: Dory Dory Black Sheep
Dory Fantasmagory: Head in the Clouds
Dory Fantasmagory: Tiny Tough
Dory Fantasmagory: Can’t Live Without You
Dory Fantasmagory: Center of the Universe
© Sophie Elbrick
Abby Hanlon taught first grade in the New York public school system. Inspired by her students’ storytelling and drawings, Abby began to write her own stories for children. Her first book was Ralph Tells a Story followed by the Dory Fantasmagory books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their two children. View titles by Abby Hanlon
"Abby Hanlon’s Dory Fantasmagory series is some of the best children’s literature in years." —New York Magazine

“Genuinely, Dory is the series that readers at our store have reacted to most passionately...The humor in these books—there is nothing like it.” —Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author and Books Are Magic bookstore owner


Praise for Dory Fantasmagory

★ “Irresistible.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Time spent with Dory is time well spent.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“AMAZING!” —Betsy Bird, Fuse 8 Blog, School Library Journal

Praise for The Real True Friend

★ “Hilarious!” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“It’s genius.” —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes Blog

“Dory is as likable a kid heroine as I’ve encountered in a decade.” —Boston Globe

Praise for Dory Dory Black Sheep

“A true triumph.” —Publishers Weekly Shelf Talker

Praise for Head in the Clouds

“Marvelous.” —The New York Times

Praise for Center of the Universe

"Delightful Dory is back, in all her chaos and hilarity...[Center of the Universe] doesn't disappoint with its laugh out loud antics and humorous illustrations." —School Library Journal
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

About

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Dory joins her first soccer team in this bestselling, laugh-out-loud chapter book series about an imaginative little rascal with a big personality. Perfect for fans of Junie B. Jones and Ivy & Bean!

“Some of the best children’s literature in years.” —New York Magazine

Dory is on her first soccer team with her best friends, Rosabelle and George. She’s ready to score a billion goals, but Rosabelle is having a meltdown over wearing cleats, and George is mysteriously acting like a baby. So, Dory attempts to befriend a new teammate, Valentina. But making a new friend isn’t so easy, especially when Valentina kicks the ball perfectly every time, steals all the attention, and has a way of making a billion sound kinda small. Determined to outshine Valentina as the star of the team, Dory seeks help from her reliable imagination to flip the score.

Complete with pencil-drawn pictures bursting with charm and character, this hilarious series about a lovably energetic little sister and her antics is sure to keep the whole family laughing.

Be sure to check out the entire Dory Fantasmagory series, which continues to grow alongside everyone’s favorite little rascal, Dory! Look for them all:

Dory Fantasmagory
Dory Fantasmagory: The Real, True Friend
Dory Fantasmagory: Dory Dory Black Sheep
Dory Fantasmagory: Head in the Clouds
Dory Fantasmagory: Tiny Tough
Dory Fantasmagory: Can’t Live Without You
Dory Fantasmagory: Center of the Universe

Author

© Sophie Elbrick
Abby Hanlon taught first grade in the New York public school system. Inspired by her students’ storytelling and drawings, Abby began to write her own stories for children. Her first book was Ralph Tells a Story followed by the Dory Fantasmagory books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and their two children. View titles by Abby Hanlon

Praise

"Abby Hanlon’s Dory Fantasmagory series is some of the best children’s literature in years." —New York Magazine

“Genuinely, Dory is the series that readers at our store have reacted to most passionately...The humor in these books—there is nothing like it.” —Emma Straub, New York Times bestselling author and Books Are Magic bookstore owner


Praise for Dory Fantasmagory

★ “Irresistible.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Time spent with Dory is time well spent.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“AMAZING!” —Betsy Bird, Fuse 8 Blog, School Library Journal

Praise for The Real True Friend

★ “Hilarious!” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“It’s genius.” —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes Blog

“Dory is as likable a kid heroine as I’ve encountered in a decade.” —Boston Globe

Praise for Dory Dory Black Sheep

“A true triumph.” —Publishers Weekly Shelf Talker

Praise for Head in the Clouds

“Marvelous.” —The New York Times

Praise for Center of the Universe

"Delightful Dory is back, in all her chaos and hilarity...[Center of the Universe] doesn't disappoint with its laugh out loud antics and humorous illustrations." —School Library Journal

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

Additional formats

Other books in this series

Related Articles

Penguin Random House Elementary Education

© 2025 Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Wish List (0)