About
A pitch-perfect middle-grade graphic memoir about crushes, coming out, and finding the courage to be yourself.
Eighth grade isn't off to a great start. Everyone but Rex seems to be coupling up, and he's starting to feel like an outsider... until he meets Charlotte. She's fearless, smart, pretty, and she likes him back. But as great as Charlotte is, there's someone else Rex can't stop thinking about.
Drew is Rex's childhood best friend, so when he kisses Rex, all kinds of new feelings begin to stir. Though at school, Drew acts like he doesn't even know Rex, making those feelings turn really confusing really fast. And with all the strong opinions Rex hears from friends and at church, he questions his own worth and what his affections actually mean. Rex wants to be more like his new friend, Nina, and not care what others think, but being himself seems impossible. When did middle school get so confusing?!
★ "Funny, sad, goofy, and poignant; a winner." Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "A triumphant addition to an already excellent series, highly recommended for middle school collections and libraries." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"[A] candid graphic novel memoir... Humor-laced dialogue adds levity to nuanced portrayals of one middle schooler's grappling with his sexuality alongside other sensitively considered interpretations of tweens exploring self-image and families contending with financial insecurity." -- Publishers Weekly
"Once again, Ogle and Valeza empathically capture Rex's coming-of-age; their ending author's and artist's notes add inviting, intimate poignancy." -- Booklist
"This graphic novel absolutely gives Heartstopper vibes for the middle school set, with young teens learning some important lessons with a little less accompanying grit as bullies swiftly get their comeuppance and families are supportive... A prescient story for current times." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for Four Eyes:
A Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated Kids' Book Release
An Amazon Best Book of 2023
★ "Ogle powerfully depicts middle-school bullying, the pressures of living in a low-income family, and the struggle to find a place to fit in and to stand up for one's self, all with multifaceted characters. Valeza and Szymanik's well-paced, wonderfully crafted, and expressive artwork does an excellent job of capturing the emotional turns of this captivating, honest story about adolescence. Hand to fans of Raina Telgemeier, Dan Santat, Jerry Craft, and Shannon Hale." -- Booklist, starred review
★ "Valeza's captivating visual spreads seamlessly complement the plot and tone of the book. The dynamic and purposeful page layouts enable readers to concentrate on the flow and significance of the text... A great addition to graphic novel sections of libraries and classrooms in middle schools." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"Valeza's classic-feeling character designs, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier's work, effectively capture the 1990s aesthetic, and visual jokes, like an optometrist called Eye Caramba, add levity to a thoughtfully rendered read that tackles themes of loneliness, connection, and change." -- Publishers Weekly
"Readers will deeply care for Rex's journey toward self-acceptance, his familial relationships, and his navigation of a new school environment. The bright, clean art emphasizes the emotional highs and lows... A realistic, funny, and heartfelt framing of the hardships of middle school and fitting in." -- Kirkus Reviews
"A touching graphic novel that's easy to relate to... A solid, solid read." -- Graphic Policy
Praise for Pizza Face:
An ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List Nominee
An Amazon Best Book of 2024
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2024
★ "This must-read graphic novel is the perfect choice for tween readers going through challenging times."
Eighth grade isn't off to a great start. Everyone but Rex seems to be coupling up, and he's starting to feel like an outsider... until he meets Charlotte. She's fearless, smart, pretty, and she likes him back. But as great as Charlotte is, there's someone else Rex can't stop thinking about.
Drew is Rex's childhood best friend, so when he kisses Rex, all kinds of new feelings begin to stir. Though at school, Drew acts like he doesn't even know Rex, making those feelings turn really confusing really fast. And with all the strong opinions Rex hears from friends and at church, he questions his own worth and what his affections actually mean. Rex wants to be more like his new friend, Nina, and not care what others think, but being himself seems impossible. When did middle school get so confusing?!
★ "Funny, sad, goofy, and poignant; a winner." Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "A triumphant addition to an already excellent series, highly recommended for middle school collections and libraries." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"[A] candid graphic novel memoir... Humor-laced dialogue adds levity to nuanced portrayals of one middle schooler's grappling with his sexuality alongside other sensitively considered interpretations of tweens exploring self-image and families contending with financial insecurity." -- Publishers Weekly
"Once again, Ogle and Valeza empathically capture Rex's coming-of-age; their ending author's and artist's notes add inviting, intimate poignancy." -- Booklist
"This graphic novel absolutely gives Heartstopper vibes for the middle school set, with young teens learning some important lessons with a little less accompanying grit as bullies swiftly get their comeuppance and families are supportive... A prescient story for current times." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praise for Four Eyes:
A Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated Kids' Book Release
An Amazon Best Book of 2023
★ "Ogle powerfully depicts middle-school bullying, the pressures of living in a low-income family, and the struggle to find a place to fit in and to stand up for one's self, all with multifaceted characters. Valeza and Szymanik's well-paced, wonderfully crafted, and expressive artwork does an excellent job of capturing the emotional turns of this captivating, honest story about adolescence. Hand to fans of Raina Telgemeier, Dan Santat, Jerry Craft, and Shannon Hale." -- Booklist, starred review
★ "Valeza's captivating visual spreads seamlessly complement the plot and tone of the book. The dynamic and purposeful page layouts enable readers to concentrate on the flow and significance of the text... A great addition to graphic novel sections of libraries and classrooms in middle schools." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"Valeza's classic-feeling character designs, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier's work, effectively capture the 1990s aesthetic, and visual jokes, like an optometrist called Eye Caramba, add levity to a thoughtfully rendered read that tackles themes of loneliness, connection, and change." -- Publishers Weekly
"Readers will deeply care for Rex's journey toward self-acceptance, his familial relationships, and his navigation of a new school environment. The bright, clean art emphasizes the emotional highs and lows... A realistic, funny, and heartfelt framing of the hardships of middle school and fitting in." -- Kirkus Reviews
"A touching graphic novel that's easy to relate to... A solid, solid read." -- Graphic Policy
Praise for Pizza Face:
An ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List Nominee
An Amazon Best Book of 2024
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2024
★ "This must-read graphic novel is the perfect choice for tween readers going through challenging times."