The following is an interview with Barbara Perez Marquez regarding the upcoming release of the Young Adult graphic novel, The Curie Society: Game of Code, through The MIT Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Perez Marquez about her shared creative process in returning to the world and characters of the series, how she hopes that the teen science prodigies’ story may connect with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of The Curie Society: Game of Code! As this is the latest installment in The Curie Society Series, where will new and returning readers find the teen science prodigies?
Barbara Perez Marquez: Thank you so much, it was really exciting to be part of the project and bring my own flare to the characters. In this new story they head to sunny Madrid, Spain, for a technology conference, where they’ll face new and old friends and foes alike. For returning readers I hope it’ll showcase the growth of the main characters (Maya, Simone, and Taj) thus far and pay off for some of the long-standing side stories they’ve seen across the series for each of them. New readers will be in great company with the newcomer characters we introduce in the book. Overall, the plot also presents some timely discussion points surrounding current technologies that I hope will help readers have deeper conversations about the way they interact with technology everyday.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in bringing this story and its characters to life on the page?
BPM: It was really thrilling to come in to such a robust world already. It allowed me to freely bring the stakes further without fearing we were leaving readers behind. Projects like this one are a lot like a playground, where you work alongside the editorial team to ensure we present not just a high-stakes story but also a timely one. Additionally, this book doubled the usual cast of characters, and it was great to have unwavering support to bring them in and find seamless ways to make them feel like they’ve always been there.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that the team’s story might connect with and impact young readers?
BPM: Young readers are at the heart of the series, not just with characters that reflect those potential readers, but also as stories that may inspire them. In this book we introduce Taj’s childhood friends, who all have many things in common but are all from very different walks of life. Particularly when it comes to coming-of-age stories, showcasing as many permutations as possible helps meet readers wherever they may be, whether that be exposing them to new perspectives or reminding them that they are not alone in the situations they may find themselves in. We also do a great job not talking down to the reader even when presenting some pretty complex concepts. Being able to tell stories that educate and interest readers requires a lot of care and attention and I think this team really meets that challenge.
BD: What makes The MIT Press the perfect publishing partner for The Curie Society Series?
BPM: Part of the core message with the series is to not just capture young readers’ imaginations, but also their interest in STEM. Each of the books is paired with a subject matter expert by The MIT Press that allows the creative work to be backed with as much real-world knowledge as possible. In this way, knowing that any reader may catch a thread within the story that could lead to a new budding interest beyond the page is an awesome reward as a writer for young readers.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
BPM: I’ve got three more releases this year, so I hope readers will look forward to two more YA titles soon: I was the adapter for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: The Graphic Novel (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, out May 5, 2026) and in the Summer we’ll see the release of To Dance the Moon and Stars (Joy Revolution, our July 14, 2026). After those, I’ll be swinging back to middle grade stories with The Library of Memories (Little, Brown Ink, August 25, 2026). So, there should be a little bit of everything for everyone!
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about The Curie Society: Game of Code and your other work?
BPM: The book is out March 24th, 2026, and can be pre-ordered through The MIT Press or via a preferred retailer from the Penguin Random House site. After that, it’ll be available wherever books are sold or can be requested at your local library!
For more about my work and any news, readers can find me on Instagram (@mustachebabs) or check out my website at www.mustachebabs.com.
