Overview

Ellis Starr likes learning about active volcanos. She does not like having acne that resembles them. But it's not just cosplaying as a pepperoni pizza that has Ellis on the verge of erupting. Her mom's hot-and-cold moods have the two of them butting heads nonstop-especially now that her mom is dating for the first time since her parents' separation. Then there's Ellis's best friend, Aggy, whose own life-and skin-seem perfect. And who could forget that Ellis still needs to decide on a research topic for a big school project. With eighth grade proving to be every bit as pesky as a new pimple, Ellis's only bright spot is the time she spends with her aunt Lydia, whose adorable puppy, Rocco, is a natural stress reliever. (And perhaps the perfect subject for her project.) Maybe this season of breakouts can lead to a breakthrough about what Ellis needs to truly feel good in her own skin. In her newest novel, bestselling author Christina Wyman tackles a quintessential middle-school experience-acne-with her trademark humor, honesty, and heart.

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9780374393359

Table of Contents

Reviews

Praise for Breakout: A Junior Library Guild Selection ""A 13-year-old navigates 'the Acne Scale of Doom, ' strained friendships, and parental insensitivity in this fresh and funny drama . . . Candid, humorous narration centers adolescent angst while highlighting financial tension in a family anchored by separated, blue-collar parents who 'can't afford to get a real divorce, ' resulting in another snappy, sensitive, and sage offering from Wyman."" --Publishers Weekly Praise for Slouch: A USA TODAY BESTSELLER A Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Selection A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year A Barnes & Noble Best Kids' Books of the Month Selection An Amazon.com Best Book of the Month for Ages 9-12 A Publishers Weekly New and Noteworthy Children's and YA Books of the Month Selection A Junior Library Guild Selection ★ ""This fresh, heartfelt slam dunk from Wyman entwines enthralling details about debate into a story that probes financial precarity and adolescent insecurity. Whip-smart prose and potent middle school drama keep the pages turning, but it's the accessible conversation about bodily autonomy, consent, privacy, and social media's influence that make this a standout read."" --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW ""Wyman's character work shines in Stevie's relationships, as the highs and lows of friendship ebb and flow naturally; Stevie's relationship with her brother is especially realistic and poignant . . . Stevie's self-consciousness, path to more confidence, willingness to take up space, and journey to finding her place are sure to be relatable for readers of all heights."" --Booklist ""Wyman imbues Stevie's story arc with blossoming self-awareness . . . An upbeat 'you do you' message delivered with a valuable side of 'your body is your own' awareness."" --Kirkus Reviews ""Compelling . . . Themes such as safe social media practices, friendship, complicated crushes, self-confidence, and the plight of working families who can't make ends meet offer levity to the story that is sure to resonate with young readers."" --School Library Journal Praise for Jawbreaker: **A USA TODAY BESTSELLER** An Indies Introduce Pick A Kids' Indie Next Pick A Kirkus Reviews Bestseller A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year An Amazon Best Book of the Year An American Booksellers Association Best Book for Young Readers of the Year A Target Monthly Book Club Pick A Readerlink Buzz Pick A New York Times ""Books for Kids Starting Middle School"" Selection Nerdy Book Awards Middle Grade Fiction Winner William Allen White Children's Book Award Nominee Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee, Intermediate Titles (Grades 3-5) Kids All Iowa Reads selection A Junior Library Guild Selection ""A courageous story about developing 'brace' under pressure."" --The New York Times ★ ""Smile meets Wonder."" --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW ★ ""A hugely relatable must-read: witty, intensely emotional, and full of heart."" --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW ★ ""Heartfelt and often heartbreakingly realistic . . . Wyman demonstrates an impressive ability to conjure up both the pain and delight of middle school with immediacy and empathy."" --BookPage, STARRED REVIEW ""An inspiring underdog tale."" --Booklist ""Smart and savvy, Jawbreaker is the novel you wish you had read as a kid and are grateful that kids get to read today."" --Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, A School Library Journal Blog ""An honest, funny, and gut-wrenching tale of bullying, family conflict, and orthodontia."" --Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books Bookseller

Praise for Christina Wyman: A USA TODAY AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BESTSELLER ""The next great middle grade author."" --Colby Sharp, literacy advocate ★ ""Wyman demonstrates an impressive ability to conjure up both the pain and delight of middle school with immediacy and empathy."" --BookPage, STARRED REVIEW, on Jawbreaker ★ ""Smile meets Wonder."" --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, on Jawbreaker ★ ""A standout read."" --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, on Slouch ""A courageous story about developing 'brace' under pressure."" --The New York Times on Jawbreaker ★ ""A hugely relatable must-read: witty, intensely emotional, and full of heart."" --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW, on Jawbreaker

Praise for Christina Wyman: A USA TODAY AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BESTSELLER ""The next great middle grade author."" --Colby Sharp, literary advocate ★ ""Wyman demonstrates an impressive ability to conjure up both the pain and delight of middle school with immediacy and empathy."" --BookPage, STARRED REVIEW, on Jawbreaker ★ ""Smile meets Wonder."" --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, on Jawbreaker ★ ""A standout read."" --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, on Slouch ""A courageous story about developing 'brace' under pressure."" --The New York Times on Jawbreaker ★ ""A hugely relatable must-read: witty, intensely emotional, and full of heart."" --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW, on Jawbreaker

Author Information

Christina Wyman is a teacher and writer living in Michigan with her husband and silly rescue cats named Alfred and Greta Cannoli-not to mention the raccoons, owls, and hummingbirds that occupy a tree outside their bedroom window. She grew up in a tiny apartment with her family in Brooklyn, New York, where she dreamed of becoming a writer. Her work has been published in New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Elle, Ms. Magazine, The Independent, and other outlets. When she's not writing, you can find her stocking up on chocolate or trying to convince her husband to adopt more cats. Most recently, she's developed a passion for eating strawberry jam straight out of the jar. Christina is the USA Today-bestselling author of the middle-grade novels Jawbreaker, Slouch, and Breakout. christinawymanbooks.com

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