Popcorn

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 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 show more 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 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.

Popcorn tackles a serious topic with a big dose of humor. Andrew struggles with some major anxiety with a side order of OCD. It's school picture day and his mom is starting a new job, his grandmother is living with them and is suffering from dementia and it all comes to a head when the school bully sets his sights on Andrew for the day. As an added bonus, the "Anxiety Files" his journal where he chronicles his life in graphic novel form adds a humorous look at what Andrew is feeling. Love the analogy of a kernal of popcorn and how that describes what it feels like to have anxiety come to a head.

A story of a no-good-very-bad-day! It's picture day and Andrew has a new shirt, looking good, and ready to make his mark. Then everything goes wrong. Several shirts ruined, a black eye, and a missing grandma. Funny, heartfelt. Thoroughly enjoyable listen!

This book is about a 7th grader named Andrew who navigates an eventful school picture day while dealing with escalating anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. This used comic-style illustrations to portray Andrew's struggles with bullies, a science experiment gone wrong, family crises, and a public panic attack.

I would have this book in my classroom to highlight to what some students with Anxiety and OCD go through and how we can learn to help them.

grades 3-5th

Independent Reading Level: Grades 1-5

Independent Reading Level: Grades 4-7
Awards: None