Jawbreaker -- Christina Wyman, Hardcover

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier's Smile, a refreshingly honest middle-grade debut novel about toxic sibling rivalry, socioeconomic disparity, and dental drama.

Max Plink's life is complicated. Her parents aren't getting along. The school bullies are relentless--and her own sister is the cruelest of them. Worst of all, her mouth is a mess. With a mismatched puzzle of a jaw, Max has a Class II malocclusion, otherwise known as a severe overbite. She already has braces, which means she lives on Advil and soft foods after each orthodontist appointment. But now Max has to wear painful (and totally awkward) orthodontic headgear nicknamed "the jawbreaker." Could things get any worse?

Yes. The journalism competition Max wants to enter has a video component. But being on camera means showing her face not just to her junior high classmates, but possibly the whole city. Going viral is the last thing Max needs, but winning this competition is what she wants most. Turns out, following her dreams is complicated, too.

Inspired by Christina Wyman's own experience with a Class II malocclusion, Jawbreaker is a humorous, heartfelt, and refreshingly relatable story.

Author: Christina Wyman
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
Published: 10/24/2023
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 8.49h x 5.80w x 0.85d
ISBN: 9780374389697
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.9
Point Value: 10
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 520952 / Jawbreaker


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/21/2023
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2023
School Library Journal 09/01/2023 pg. 104
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2023

About the Author
Christina Wyman is a teacher and writer living in Michigan with her husband, border collie, rescue cat and six raccoons that occupy a tree outside her bedroom window. Her work has been published in New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Elle, Ms. Magazine, The Independent, and other outlets. Jawbreaker is her debut novel. When not writing, she can be found enjoying chocolate and goat yoga. Connect with her on Twitter @CBWymanWrite