Books › Awkward
Awkward
210 pages
A warm, deeply relatable dive into the chaotic, anxiety-inducing, and ultimately rewarding world of middle school friendships.
What it feels like
Reading this graphic novel feels like stepping back into the bustling, high-stakes hallways of middle school, but with a comforting safety net. The pacing is brisk and engaging, driven by expressive, manga-inspired artwork that perfectly captures the micro-expressions of adolescent panic, joy, and embarrassment. It creates a warm, empathetic atmosphere where everyday social anxieties—like who to sit with or how to apologize for a panicked mistake—are treated with the exact level of gravity they deserve. The tone balances earnest emotional growth with lighthearted humor, making the school club rivalries and hallway encounters feel both authentic and deeply cozy. It is an absolute delight for anyone who loves character-driven stories about finding your tribe, owning your missteps, and realizing that everyone else is just as nervous as you are.
- Mood
- warm
- bustling
- lighthearted
- relatable
- Tone
- earnest
- humorous
- empathetic
- anxious
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- navigating social anxiety · the courage to apologize · finding your tribe · middle school dynamics
- The writing
- The narrative relies on expressive, manga-influenced artwork and snappy, authentic dialogue that perfectly captures the chaotic energy of middle school.
- The arc
- The journey moves from the paralyzing guilt of a social misstep to the warm relief of finding true friends and owning one's mistakes.
- Who it's for
- Middle-grade readers who love cozy, character-driven graphic novels about school clubs, friendship drama, and overcoming everyday anxieties.
Content notes
- bullying
- social anxiety
About the book
Penelope Torres (or Peppi, for short,) is a new student at a new school. Unfortunately, the first day didn't turn out so good. She trips and drops her stuff, and a nice boy, Jaime Tompson, was so kind to pick up her stuff and hand it to her. The bullies made fun of Jaime, and called him "Nerder," and as Peppi didn't want to look bad, especially on her first day, she took her stuff and ran. For weeks, months she couldn't work the nerve to apologize. She passes by other various obstacles in her student life, as well as making new friends and joining an art club in her school. But, does she apologize, and work it out with Jaime, or does this barrier affect their relationship? (Not romantically, this isn't a romance book.)
Description from Open Library.
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