Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bullying, positive lessons, communication in solid sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In PIZZA FACE, Rex is back in school for seventh grade. He's used to wearing glasses now, but new problems are here to mess with Rex's life, like acne, friend troubles, and classmates who want to bully him ... again. Will he be able to overcome this year's issues? What if he hurts his friends' feelings? What if he makes the wrong decisions? Will his friends be able to forgive him?
Is It Any Good?
This engaging graphic novel sequel is full of positive messages about forgiveness and strong representations of friendship and family. Pizza Face charmingly continues Rex's story as a now seventh grader who's small, bespectacled, and younger than everyone else in his grade. Middle grade readers will relate to the challenges Rex faces, like acne, voice changes, and other "signs of puberty," as one teacher nervously says. The story's central themes and lessons show kids what they might face at school, with friends, or on social media. Author Rex Ogle writes with great empathy about why certain behaviors, actions, and language are hurtful, and also explores what it means to give a genuine apology and make amends. Also, the bullying behavior is a bit toned down compared to that of the first book, and this makes Rex's school feel more realistic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in middle grade graphic novels. Did any of the bullying behavior in Pizza Face particularly shock or surprise you? What were the most violent parts?
How do characters show courage, gratitude, perseverance, and communication? How does Rex in particular show these? What kinds of actions does Rex do that show good communication, for example?
Why do you think Rex says that he can't tell teachers that he's being treated unfairly? Why does Rex say, "It doesn't work that way," to someone asking about how school is going?
Why does it take so long for Rex to realize how not cool Chase is? Why do you think Rex wanted to be a friend with someone like Chase?
Are you happy with the ending? Why, or why not? If the first book is about Rex learning how to accept having to wear glasses, and the second book is about Rex learning how to accept having acne as he becomes a teenager, what do you think a third book might be about?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Dave Valeza
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Gratitude , Humility , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Graphix
- Publication date : July 2, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 222
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : April 1, 2026
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