Dear Jackie

(Paperback)

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Description

A middle schoolers plan to fit in with her new friends by writing herself a fake love letter backfires spectacularly in this funny and all-too-relatable graphic novel perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and the Berrybrook Middle School series.

Jackie and Milo have been best friends since they were born. Whether theyre reading comic books in their tree house hideout, playing video games, or spying on their neighbors using walkie talkies and code names, its always been the two of them versus the world. But in middle school, things are changing. Milo joins the soccer team and starts hanging out with a new crew. Jackie gets taken under the wing of Adelle, who wants to give her a total makeover and find her a crush. Suddenly, it seems like there are certain acceptable ways to be a girl or a boy, and Jackie starts to feel like everything about her is wrong.

In an effort to get Adelle and her new friends off her back, Jackie sends herself an anonymous love letter. But her plan backfires, and soon Jackies secret admirer is all anybody at school can talk about. Now shes wondering: Dear Jackie, how are you going to get out of this

Reviews

Hilariously relatable and compelling. I wish I could have read this book in middle school. -- Sharee Miller, author and illustrator of Curlfriends: New in Town
"Smart, sweet, and sophisticated,Dear Jackieis a fresh, fearless take on the most meaningful and cringiest parts of the middle school experience. Youll swoon, squeal and cheer in that order. -- Tegan Quin (Tegan and Sara)

Author Bio

Jessixa Bagley is a childrens book author-illustrator with a background in fine art and comics. She has had work featured in publications such asNew American Paintings, Highlights Magazine, The Stranger, and Illustoria Magazine.Shes also the author of the middle grade graphic novelsDueland Dear Jackie (illustrated by Aaron Bagley) and the author-illustrator of the middle grade graphic novel series Jazzy the Witch. Jessixa is a two-time Washington State Book Award recipient; first in 2016 for her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, and again in 2024 for her graphic novel, Duel. Jessixa also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for picture book Laundry Day. Many of her books are Junior Library Guild Selections. In her work, shes drawn to animals and emotional themes often inspired by her own experiences. Jessixa also teaches and speaks about writing and illustration. She often illustrates for other writers and artistically collaborates with her husband, Aaron Bagley. Jessixa lives in Seattle with her husband and son.

Aaron Bagley is an illustrator, painter, and comics artist. He loves to draw from observation, life experiences, and his dreams and has filled more than 225 sketchbooks with his drawings. Over the years hes illustrated for numerous organizations including 826 Seattle as well as being featured in publications like The Virginia Quarterly Review,The Stranger, The Seattle Review of Books, and many more. Hes a frequent contributor to the Illustoria Magazine for both writing and illustration. Aaron also collaborates with his wife, Jessixa. Together, theyve created picture bookVincent Comes Homeand middle grade graphic novelsDuel and Dear Jackie. Aaron received a 2024 Washington State Book Award for illustrating Duel. He lives in Seattle with his wife and son.