Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom: Frazzled, Book 1
By Darienne Stewart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Girl conquers middle school worries in fun graphic novel.
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What's the Story?
Abbie Wu is FRAZZLED. She's stuck in the middle and knotted up with anxiety. She doesn't fit in at home, with her adorable sister, accomplished brother, and unflappable mom. She doesn't fit in at school, where her friends are pursuing new interests. But Abbie doesn't have a "thing" yet, and the pressure to choose is more than she can handle. The only thing she's looking forward to is lunch. But even that goes south when Abbie realizes only eighth-graders get the "real" food -- burgers, pizza, and chicken nuggets. Bringing lunch isn't much help, since there's always something she hates. Her peers, she notices, feel the same way. Soon Abbie's leading an underground lunch swap and thinking leadership just might be one of her "things."
Is It Any Good?
A winningly neurotic heroine, charming artwork, and a message about learning to take risks make this story about conquering middle school worries a fun read for anyone feeling stuck in "the Middles." Booki Vivat's debut, Frazzled, is a fresh and funny standout in the crowded field of graphic novels about the awkwardness of middle school.
Abbie is an especially sensitive tween, and Vivat portrays her tendency to be overly dramatic with good-natured humor. Plentiful black-and-white illustrations show Abbie's runaway imagination: A tidal wave of back-to-school paperwork looms over her at the beach, her mother traps her in a bakery display case to talk about school, and her friends drift away from her, suspended from balloons. Honest, chatty Abbie is a perfect ally for kids trying to find their own way through the Middles.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Abbie's difficulty choosing an elective in Frazzled. Do you find choices exciting or overwhelming?
Do you feel pressure to have a "thing"? Do you worry following one interest might mean you'll miss out on something else?
Have you ever been surprised by your own courage, the way Abbie is?
Book Details
- Author: Booki Vivat
- Illustrator: Bookie Vivat
- Genre: Emotions
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Middle School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date: September 27, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 240
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: February 8, 2019
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