Slouch

(Hardback)

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Description

The highly anticipated, standalone follow-up to the USA Today bestseller Jawbreaker, this funny and fresh middle-grade novel is about a tall girl navigating friends, family, self-esteem, and boundaries-perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier. Stevie Crumb doesn't want to stand out. But when you're nearly five foot ten in seventh grade, it's kind of hard not to. All anyone wants to talk about is Stevie's height-including Stevie's parents, who would just love for her to be an athlete like her basketball-star older brother. Sure, Stevie wants to be good at something-maybe even great at something. She'd just prefer it didn't draw more attention to her lanky frame. A chance encounter leads Stevie to the school's debate team instead, where she meets cute fellow debater Cedric. He's shorter than she is, and Stevie doesn't think anything of it-until her best friend points it out. Then strange guys on the subway start making comments about Stevie's body, too-which is not only annoying, but scary and unsafe. It's time for Stevie to ask for help, set some boundaries, and realize that standing up (and standing out) isn't such a bad thing after all. From breakout author Christina Wyman, Slouch is a new must-read story about growing up and growing into yourself, inch by inch. It's ideal for readers who love Raina Telgemeier, Terri Libenson, Kelly Yang, Gordon Korman, and other endlessly funny and deeply heartfelt books that tackle big topics and universal coming-of-age experiences alike. Don't miss Christina Wyman's hit debut Jawbreaker, which Publishers Weekly calls "Smile meets Wonder."

Reviews

Praise for Slouch:

A Barnes & Noble Best Kids' Books of the Month Selection
An Amazon.com Best Book of the Month for Ages 9-12
A Junior Library Guild Selection

"This fresh, heartfelt slam dunk from Wyman entwines enthralling details about debate into a story that probes financial precarity and adolescent insecurity. Whip-smart prose and potent middle school drama keep the pages turning, but it's the accessible conversation about bodily autonomy, consent, privacy, and social media's influence that make this a standout read." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"Wyman's character work shines in Stevie's relationships, as the highs and lows of friendship ebb and flow naturally; Stevie's relationship with her brother is especially realistic and poignant . . . Stevie's self-consciousness, path to more confidence, willingness to take up space, and journey to finding her place are sure to be relatable for readers of all heights." --Booklist

"Wyman imbues Stevie's story arc with blossoming self-awareness . . . An upbeat 'you do you' message delivered with a valuable side of 'your body is your own' awareness." --Kirkus Reviews

"Compelling . . . Themes such as safe social media practices, friendship, complicated crushes, self-confidence, and the plight of working families who can't make ends meet offer levity to the story that is sure to resonate with young readers." --School Library Journal

Praise for Jawbreaker:

**A USA TODAY BESTSELLER**
An Indies Introduce Pick
A Kids' Indie Next Pick
A Kirkus Reviews Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
An American Booksellers Association Best Book for Young Readers of the Year
A Target Monthly Book Club Pick
A Readerlink Buzz Pick
A New York Times "Books for Kids Starting Middle School" Selection
Nerdy Book Awards Middle Grade Fiction Winner
A Junior Library Guild Selection

"A courageous story about developing 'brace' under pressure." --The New York Times

"Smile meets Wonder." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"A hugely relatable must-read: witty, intensely emotional, and full of heart." --Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"Heartfelt and often heartbreakingly realistic . . . Wyman demonstrates an impressive ability to conjure up both the pain and delight of middle school with immediacy and empathy." --BookPage, STARRED REVIEW

"An inspiring underdog tale." --Booklist

"Smart and savvy, Jawbreaker is the novel you wish you had read as a kid and are grateful that kids get to read today." --Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, A School Library Journal Blog

"An honest, funny, and gut-wrenching tale of bullying, family conflict, and orthodontia." --Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books Bookseller

Author Bio

Christina Wyman is a teacher and writer living in Michigan with her husband and silly rescue cats named Alfred and Greta Cannoli-not to mention the raccoons, owls, and hummingbirds that occupy a tree outside their bedroom window. She grew up in a tiny apartment with her family in Brooklyn, New York, where she dreamed of becoming a writer. Her work has been published in New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Elle, Ms. Magazine, The Independent, and other outlets. When she's not writing, you can find her stocking up on chocolate or trying to convince her husband to adopt more cats. Most recently, she's developed a passion for eating strawberry jam straight out of the jar. Christina is the author of the middle grade novels Jawbreaker-a USA Today bestseller, Kids' Indie Next Pick, and "best books of the year" selection by Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon-and Slouch. christinawymanbooks.com