Popcorn

ALSC Notable Children’s Books
NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor
CLA/NCTE 2025 Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts
Children’s Book Council Favorites Award 2025

★ “Harrell’s illustrated novel shines with a humorous, authentic depiction of a middle school student with anxiety and OCD . . . The text and art provide relatable and creative descriptions of how anxiety feels in the body, as well as real coping skills . . . A must-purchase.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Harrell’s conversational tone, snappy pacing, and realistic dialogue make each chapter eminently readable. The accompanying black-and-white doodles, notes, and comics lend humor to some serious situations. Harrell does a fantastic job of explaining the symptoms accompanying anxiety and panic attacks in simple terms . . . Readers will also appreciate the accurate depictions of talk therapy and of the tics that accompany Andrew’s OCD. Heartwarming, insightful, and surprisingly funny.” —Kirkus

” . . . beautifully combines first-person, self-aware narration with ‘the Anxiety Files,’ black and white (often very funny) comics drawn by the narrator that further elucidate his anxiety and OCD.” —BCCB

“Readers who connected with Raina Telgemeier’s Guts will appreciate this thoughtful story about managing anxiety delivered in an inviting, Wimpy Kid–like format.” —Booklist