Cover illustration by Laura Catrinella. Jacket design by Tiara Iandiorio. Copyright Aladdin / Simon & Schuster 2025.
Accolades
- Publishers Weekly Starred Review
- Chicago Public Library Staff Pick
- Pop Goes the Reader Most Anticipated Selection
- Teen Librarian Toolbox Favorite Reads
- Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards – Commended Title
- Publishers Weekly New and Noteworthy Selection
“Ali Terese is now one of my very favorite middle grade authors.” – Amanda MacGregor in SLJ’s Teen Librarian Toolbox
From the author of National Book Award-longlisted Free Period comes a new hijinks-fueled comedy about finding your voice, perfect for fans of Carrie Firestone and Lisa Yee!
Sporty Meg and fashionista Jo don’t have much in common besides being 7th graders at Somerset Middle School, where everyone is obsessed with being voted the Greatest of All Time and celebrated at the Harvest Ball. But when their mascot Somerset Babette (aka the world’s cutest goat) is kidnapped, Jo and Meg are wrongfully accused of being the culprits. The burned-out soccer star and chronically-ill overachiever band together and assemble a rag-tag squad to steal the goat back. Banter, activism, self-care, double-crosses, big shenanigans, and even bigger feelings follow as the girls fight to change how animals are treated at their school and achieve true freedom for their four-legged, sweater-chewing friend in this laugh-out-loud middle-grade heist centering friendship and bodily autonomy.
Available now in hardcover, audiobook, and ebook – ISBN 9781665960489
Cover illustration by Laura Catrinella. Jacket design by Tiara Iandiorio. Copyright Aladdin / Simon & Schuster 2025.
Reviews
★ “Terese (Free Period) expertly balances various intersecting plotlines that touch on parental pressure, first crushes, chronic illness, bodily autonomy, and animal rights advocacy. Centering an intersectionally diverse cast across Meg and Jo’s alternating first-person POVs, Terese delivers a joyful slice-of-life romp about finding oneself and uplifting others.” — Starred Review in Publishers Weekly!
“Obviously this rundown of weird (in the best way!) events doesn’t capture the full gloriousness of the book. That’s why you need to go read it. It’s whip-smart read about taking care of yourself and others and standing up for your beliefs. The incredibly quick-witted dialogue, standout characters (aka my new fictional best friends), and whimsical-yet-deep plot will make readers unable to set this book down (and may have them looking at things at their own schools through new eyes).” — Amanda MacGregor in Teen Librarian Toolbox
“The plot’s twists and escalating chaos provide plenty of gasp-worthy moments, while the playful tone and clever humor keep the story buoyant and engaging. Beneath the hijinks, Terese thoughtfully explores friendship, self-advocacy, and the complexity of speaking up in systems that do not always listen. Characters grapple with identity, responsibility, and fairness in ways that feel authentic to middle school readers, making this a strong choice for classroom discussion.” — Illinois Reading Council Journal
“Funny, smart, and perhaps unexpectedly moving, it’s a highly recommended tale.” — Dana Rudolph in Mombian
Advanced Praise:
“Hilarity, hijinks, and a heist that is goat-ally awesome! This wonderfully inclusive story—about using your voice to advocate for yourself and others—will energize you to stand up for what’s right.” — Lauren Magaziner, author of THE INCORRUPTIBLES
“A hilarious and heartfelt romp about an unlikely duo who set out to stand up for a goat and end up standing up for themselves. Friendship, family, heists, crushes, betrayal, bodily autonomy, and goat puns galore—this book has it all! Readers will have a blaaaast.” — Anna Staniszewski, author of CLIQUE HERE and THE WONDER OF WILDFLOWERS
“Vote for the G.O.A.T. is a hilarious, heartfelt, hijinx-filled story about standing up for yourself and what you believe in! Jo and Meg bring readers along on a laugh-out-loud heist and show them the strength of teamwork in making a difference both on and off the field. Full of fabulous friendships, middle-school mayhem, and all the first-crush feels, this empowering novel highlighting bodily autonomy is sure to be a game-changer.” — Emily Deibert, author of BEA MULLINS TAKES A SHOT
“There’s no debate here. It’s not Michael or LeBron—give the G.O.A.T. title to Ali Terese. Vote for the G.O.A.T. is a rollicking, kinetic story about two seventh graders, Jo and Meg, who team up in a dynamic duo that feels like Ocean’s 11 meets Bend It Like Beckham. It’s empowering, soul-nurturing, and guffaw-inducing. Ali’s prose is razor-sharp, her dialogue is Tarantino-for-tweens. Punchy, hilarious, and full of heart. This book is straight fire.” — Amar Shah, Emmy-award winning producer and author of WISH I WAS A BALLER and the PLAY THE GAME series.
