Popcorn
Published on 23. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-593-69794-8 (ISBN)
Description
Winner of The Schneider Family Book Award
The beloved author of Wink is back with a hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety on a day when everything is going wrong
Andrew's just trying to make it through Picture Day, which is easier said than done when it seems like the whole world is out to get him-from a bully to a science experiment gone wrong to a someone else's juice snot (don't ask).
But as Andrew goes through the school day, and as one thing after another goes wrong, that little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter, until it threatens to pop and turn into a public panic attack, his worst fear. He tries to keep his anxiety at bay, but the news that his grandmother with Alzheimer's is missing is too much.
Interspersed with humorous spot art and "anxiety file" panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD and real tips for coping, this is a poignant, personal, and laugh-out-loud funny story about letting go of control and accepting help-all while trying to get the perfect school picture.
The beloved author of Wink is back with a hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety on a day when everything is going wrong
Andrew's just trying to make it through Picture Day, which is easier said than done when it seems like the whole world is out to get him-from a bully to a science experiment gone wrong to a someone else's juice snot (don't ask).
But as Andrew goes through the school day, and as one thing after another goes wrong, that little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter, until it threatens to pop and turn into a public panic attack, his worst fear. He tries to keep his anxiety at bay, but the news that his grandmother with Alzheimer's is missing is too much.
Interspersed with humorous spot art and "anxiety file" panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD and real tips for coping, this is a poignant, personal, and laugh-out-loud funny story about letting go of control and accepting help-all while trying to get the perfect school picture.
Reviews / Votes
ALSC Notable Children's BooksNCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor
CLA/NCTE 2025 Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Children's Book Council Favorites Award 2025
? "Harrell's illustrated novel shines with a humorous, authentic depiction of a middle school student with anxiety and OCD . . . The text and art provide relatable and creative descriptions of how anxiety feels in the body, as well as real coping skills . . . A must-purchase." -School Library Journal, starred review
"Harrell's conversational tone, snappy pacing, and realistic dialogue make each chapter eminently readable. The accompanying black-and-white doodles, notes, and comics lend humor to some serious situations. Harrell does a fantastic job of explaining the symptoms accompanying anxiety and panic attacks in simple terms . . . Readers will also appreciate the accurate depictions of talk therapy and of the tics that accompany Andrew's OCD. Heartwarming, insightful, and surprisingly funny." -Kirkus
" . . . beautifully combines first-person, self-aware narration with 'the Anxiety Files,' black and white (often very funny) comics drawn by the narrator that further elucidate his anxiety and OCD." -BCCB
"Readers who connected with Raina Telgemeier's Guts will appreciate this thoughtful story about managing anxiety delivered in an inviting, Wimpy Kid-like format." -Booklist
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Penguin Putnam Inc
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Fourth Grade to Seventh Grade, Interest Age: From 9 to 12 years
Product notice
Paperback (digest)
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 125 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
311 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-593-69794-8 (9780593697948)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Rob Harrell is the author/illustrator of Wink and the Batpig series, created the Life of Zarf series, the graphic novel Monster on the Hill, and also writes and draws the long-running daily comic strip Adam@Home, which appears in more than 140 papers worldwide. He created and drew the internationally syndicated comic strip Big Top until 2007. He lives with his pup in Indiana.