Parents' Guide to Four Eyes, Book 1

Parents need to know that Four Eyes is a middle grade graphic novel by Rex Ogle, illustrated by Dave Valeza, about a sixth grade boy who suddenly needs glasses. But his family can't afford nice new glasses, so Rex is stuck with a pair of glasses that make him look "nerdy," and now, middle school isn't much fun at all. Students make fun of him, tease him, and call him names. Rex's best friend, Drew, ditches him for the popular kids. But through Rex's difficult first year in middle school, he learns what real friendship is about, why appearances don't matter as much as they might seem to, and how to stand up for himself. Middle school-age kids show bullying behavior toward other kids who have glasses and/or who are considered "nerdy." A kid smushes a kid's face into a plate of meatloaf as other kids laugh. Kids throw tater tots at a kid's head. Kids make fun of another kid because of where his mother works. A father yells at his son harshly and shames him in front of other kids. A kid is stung by a wasp; he runs into the street, and a car almost hits him. Loss of a baby is discussed as a memory. Language includes "four-eyes," "dorkus," "crybaby," "sissy," "sucks," "jerk," "loser," "nerd burger," "butt," and "stupid."