Frazzled: everyday disasters and impending doom

Sixth-grader Abbie Wu is grappling with The Middles she's the middle child and starting middle school, and she's worried about finding her place in both. Plus, unlike BFFs Maxine and Logan, she's unsure what her talents or interests are, so she can't pick an elective, and, while psyched about having more cafeteria choices, it turns out eighth-graders have dibs on good stuff like pizza and fries. Then, elective-less, she's assigned study hall, where she connects with classmates over cafeteria injustices and devises a secret, successful student food exchange. Though there are both ups and downs, Abbie increasingly gains self-confidence and unexpected support at school and home and realizes The Middles might be okay. Abbie's a lively character and narrator, from her introspective musings to sometimes hyperbolic doom-and-gloom fears. Debut author Vivat's generously interspersed, animated cartoon illustrations incorporate abundant witty touches and commentary and often extend the main text, though they can sometimes distract. Nonetheless, kids may identify and sympathize with Abbie's many concerns and dilemmas, from navigating new situations to discovering a sense of belonging, and the challenges and rewards of forging your own path.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2017 Booklist

Abbie Wu, a beleaguered middle child who is daunted to enter middle school, knows that "nothing good ever happens in the Middles," as evidenced by the Middle Ages and the middle seat of the car. Yet her best friends are jumping right into middle school life and even having fun in their various electives, leaving Abbie feeling like a "sad reject pastry" in desperate need of a "thing" of her own. As the injustices of the middle school cafeteria mount, Abbie discovers a talent for social-or at least lunchroom-leadership. Could community organizing be her "thing"? Vivat's funny, quick-moving debut skips along even faster thanks to the endearing doodles that appear throughout, punctuating Abbie's travails with chibi-esque emotional outbursts featuring flailing limbs, speed lines, and exaggerated typography. Though this is, at heart, a straightforward story of social adjustment, Abbie and her supporting cast show real depth as they learn that passions can change, "not everything has to work out," and no matter how confident some people may seem, "the truth is, no one really knows for sure." Ages 8-12. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 3-6-Middle child and soon-to-be middle schooler Abbie Wu is in major need of crisis control. Her fear and anxiety have her constantly freaking out, especially when it comes to sixth grade. Abbie's mom doesn't understand why she's stressed, and her perfect siblings aren't helping the situation, either. Because Abbie couldn't decide on an elective class, she's been assigned to study hall. Her two best friends actually enjoy school and have found activities they're passionate about. Not having a "Thing" like everyone else is making Abbie feel left behind. The only part of school she's looking forward to is the cafeteria lunches, which include pizza, fries, and cookies. When Abbie discovers that sixth graders are forbidden from eating those foods, she organizes an underground lunch exchange. The success of her food rebellion gives Abbie the confidence to find her voice and, ultimately, her "Thing." Abbie's phobias and worries are charmingly depicted in this heavily illustrated hybrid novel. The humorous, doodlelike artwork makes her struggles entertaining and relatable. VERDICT Share this title with fans of Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series and anyone who will appreciate rooting for a witty underdog.-Sophie Kenney, Glencoe Public Library, IL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Frazzled is a pretty accurate description of narrator Abbie Wu, who humorously relates the trials and tribulations of being a middle schooler, an experience she equates with other terrible middles: the Middle Ages, the middle seat, and being a middle child, something with which shes well acquainted. Stuck between annoyingly adorable little sister Clara and ridiculously popular older brother Peter, Abbie feels unremarkable -- even more so when she cant choose an elective at school. Unlike her best friends Maxine and Logan, who immediately pick drama and coding, respectively, Abbie doesnt have a thing (I didnt know I needed one until now!) and therefore ends up in study hall, along with a bunch of suck-ups, slackers, trouble-makers, and loners. How Abbie finds (in study hall, of all places) her thing -- turns out shes a bit of a revolutionary -- is what makes this story a real standout. Newcomer Vivats novel, with its hyperbolic text and superabundant adrenaline-filled cartoon drawings (the book contains more art than text), has plenty of appeal, but its the clever plot that gives the story depth. Bonus points for the inclusion of an Asian American protagonist with a nonwhite bestie (whos a boy!) and a single mom, none of which is remotely central to the story. jennifer m. brabander (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Sixth-grader Abbie Wu is grappling with "The Middles"—she's the middle child and starting middle school, and she's worried about finding her place in both. Plus, unlike BFFs Maxine and Logan, she's unsure what her talents or interests are, so she can't pick an elective, and, while psyched about having more cafeteria choices, it turns out eighth-graders have dibs on good stuff like pizza and fries. Then, elective-less, she's assigned study hall, where she connects with classmates over cafeteria injustices and devises a secret, successful student food exchange. Though there are both ups and downs, Abbie increasingly gains self-confidence and unexpected support—at school and home—and realizes "The Middles" might be okay. Abbie's a lively character and narrator, from her introspective musings to sometimes hyperbolic doom-and-gloom fears. Debut author Vivat's generously interspersed, animated cartoon illustrations incorporate abundant witty touches and commentary and often extend the main text, though they can sometimes distract. Nonetheless, kids may identify and sympathize with Abbie's many concerns and dilemmas, from navigating new situations to discovering a sense of belonging, and the challenges and rewards of forging your own path. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.

Abbie Wu, a beleaguered middle child who is daunted to enter middle school, knows that "nothing good ever happens in the Middles," as evidenced by the Middle Ages and the middle seat of the car. Yet her best friends are jumping right into middle school life and even having fun in their various electives, leaving Abbie feeling like a "sad reject pastry" in desperate need of a "thing" of her own. As the injustices of the middle school cafeteria mount, Abbie discovers a talent for social—or at least lunchroom—leadership. Could community organizing be her "thing"? Vivat's funny, quick-moving debut skips along even faster thanks to the endearing doodles that appear throughout, punctuating Abbie's travails with chibi-esque emotional outbursts featuring flailing limbs, speed lines, and exaggerated typography. Though this is, at heart, a straightforward story of social adjustment, Abbie and her supporting cast show real depth as they learn that passions can change, "not everything has to work out," and no matter how confident some people may seem, "the truth is, no one really knows for sure." Ages 8–12. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Sept.)

Gr 3–6—Middle child and soon-to-be middle schooler Abbie Wu is in major need of crisis control. Her fear and anxiety have her constantly freaking out, especially when it comes to sixth grade. Abbie's mom doesn't understand why she's stressed, and her perfect siblings aren't helping the situation, either. Because Abbie couldn't decide on an elective class, she's been assigned to study hall. Her two best friends actually enjoy school and have found activities they're passionate about. Not having a "Thing" like everyone else is making Abbie feel left behind. The only part of school she's looking forward to is the cafeteria lunches, which include pizza, fries, and cookies. When Abbie discovers that sixth graders are forbidden from eating those foods, she organizes an underground lunch exchange. The success of her food rebellion gives Abbie the confidence to find her voice and, ultimately, her "Thing." Abbie's phobias and worries are charmingly depicted in this heavily illustrated hybrid novel. The humorous, doodlelike artwork makes her struggles entertaining and relatable. VERDICT Share this title with fans of Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series and anyone who will appreciate rooting for a witty underdog.—Sophie Kenney, Glencoe Public Library, IL