Rob Harrell

I absolutely adored this middle grade novel about anxiety and panic attacks. What a necessary read in a world that needs to talk more openly about mental health. Popcorn is about a seventh grade boy who is having the worst of worst days. It's his mom's first day at a new job, a job she really needs because they need the money to help put his grandmother in a safe facility (her Alzheimers is getting worse by the day). All she asks of him is to PLEASE take a nice photo (it's school picture show more day) and it seems as if the universe is out to get him. He already suffers from anxiety and he's nervous about his mom's first day, his grandma being watched by a friend, and staying clean and presentable for his photo. It's a lot! Throughout the day there is a bully who is out to get him, a science experiment gone wrong, juice box sneezes, and a basketball to the face. Andrew's anxiety keeps ratcheting up after each and every incident. He's never had a panic attack at school and he is determined that today won't be the day. But what if the universe is out to get him? Filled with amazing illustrations and comic frames; this middle grade novel is so important. Should be required reading for kids and adults! show less

This book is awesome -- from Ross's realistic journey with terrifying disease and upsetting treatments, to his new appreciation for music, to his most excellent best friend, there's a lot to love. I went with the audio book, not realizing that there are comic panels in the paper version. Props to the audio book producers -- they are amazing -- the over-the-top radio voices of Batpig's adventures were one of the highlights of the book for me. Overall, I loved the juxtaposition of humor and show more pain -- the writing is spot on for getting both across effectively. Loved Abby's excellent friendship and ability to be truly supportive (can I draw on you when you are coming out of surgery?) Loved Frank, the tech, with his sarcastic humor and unstinting generosity in leading Ross to music and musicianship. Loved Ross's dad, and his straightforward ability to express emotion. The book also deals really well with humans' profound inability to cope with other humans' pain, hurtful meme bullying and insensitivity, and how much middle school crushes suck. Several other reviews mention that this is based on Rob Harrell's personal experiences -- he does an amazing job transferring those experiences into a fantastic book. show less

This loopy, goofy superhero parody intended for the middle-school or younger crowd actually amused me more than I would have thought possible since the Batpig strips were my least favorite part of Rob Harrell's Wink graphic novel. But the potty humor and metafiction works for me. I also like the weird unaddressed queasiness caused by a world where humans and anthropomorphize animals cohabitate while humans still eat those animals' meat. Hooooowwww?

This is a great book -- it's funny, terrible, honest and absolutely fearless about anxiety. And living with someone with Alzeimer's and worrying about money and being the target of a bully and panic attacks and having the most epic, worst, picture day ever. Still awesome on the reread, and the ending picture is epic. I love the support from school staff. I love the images throughout.