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stephanie_happylibrarian's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
vanessaedwards1882's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Alcohol
scoutabout's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
aielinnae's review
5.0
November 2023 MacKids Book Club pick. Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman is a coming of age middle grade book about Max having to deal with braces, headgear, school bullies, and family problems. At an age where looks matter and figuring out who you are dominate the social scene, Max learns her voice can begin changes not just for herself but for everyone around her in the best possible way.
katiey's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I’m definitely older than the intended audience for this book, but reading it for a young adult literature class. The beginning of this book is pretty emotionally heavy. Her sister is awful to her, and her parents aren’t fair to her- you definitely get enraged on her behalf and are just rooting for her 10 times over. But I loved to read the gradual character development and how her relationship with her family grew and developed through the story. Quick read, overall I enjoyed it !
smeeks2007's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
fraukate's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
judy_bagley's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
thenextgenlibrarian's review
challenging
informative
4.0
Perfect for fans of Smile by Raina Telgemeier and Free Lunch by Rex Ogle.
😬
Max Plink is struggling in middle school. Her parents are always fighting, her sister is her biggest bully, and now she has to wear a orthodontic headgear called “the jawbreaker”. As if life wasn’t hard enough. Max is also worried about entering a video journalism competition, even though it’s her dream, because then she’d have to be on camera. Between that hanging over her head, money being tight at home and her best friend being distant, Max tries really hard to see the good in things, but at some point something has to give.
🦷
This MG book hit very close to home for me, as I also struggled with a similar orthodontic issue as Max. I wore braces from 2nd grade until I was a junior in college + retainers & more to avoid having the surgery they wanted me to. Even as an adult I struggled with TMJ and ended up getting veneers to try and correct my bite. Luckily for me the bullying wasn’t too much since most kids had braces at some point (just not as long as me lol). I also believe I’m a stronger person for it, but that’s hard telling a middle school kid about that. They just have to go through it, which sucks. @christina.wyman.books did an excellent job with characterization, as well as also showing a toxic sibling relationship, and a rough home life. Students will relate to this #novel and know they aren’t alone. And it does get better.
CW: toxic relationships, physical abuse, vomit, bullying (theme), cyberbullying, divorce (theme), alcoholism, smoking, drinking, classism, financial struggles
😬
Max Plink is struggling in middle school. Her parents are always fighting, her sister is her biggest bully, and now she has to wear a orthodontic headgear called “the jawbreaker”. As if life wasn’t hard enough. Max is also worried about entering a video journalism competition, even though it’s her dream, because then she’d have to be on camera. Between that hanging over her head, money being tight at home and her best friend being distant, Max tries really hard to see the good in things, but at some point something has to give.
🦷
This MG book hit very close to home for me, as I also struggled with a similar orthodontic issue as Max. I wore braces from 2nd grade until I was a junior in college + retainers & more to avoid having the surgery they wanted me to. Even as an adult I struggled with TMJ and ended up getting veneers to try and correct my bite. Luckily for me the bullying wasn’t too much since most kids had braces at some point (just not as long as me lol). I also believe I’m a stronger person for it, but that’s hard telling a middle school kid about that. They just have to go through it, which sucks. @christina.wyman.books did an excellent job with characterization, as well as also showing a toxic sibling relationship, and a rough home life. Students will relate to this #novel and know they aren’t alone. And it does get better.
CW: toxic relationships, physical abuse, vomit, bullying (theme), cyberbullying, divorce (theme), alcoholism, smoking, drinking, classism, financial struggles
ellbo_oks333's review
3.0
definitely reminds me of smile but im not sure if its in a good way
Merged review:
definitely reminds me of smile but im not sure if its in a good way
Merged review:
definitely reminds me of smile but im not sure if its in a good way