Jawbreaker
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A USA Today bestseller perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier's Smile, this refreshingly honest middle-grade debut novel is about toxic sibling rivalry, socioeconomic disparity, and dental drama.
★ “Smile meets Wonder in Wyman’s affirming debut.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “A hugely relatable must-read.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Smile meets Wonder in Wyman's affirming debut, a South Brooklyn–set novel that probes the intersection between bullying and orthodontia through the eyes of Maximillia "Max" Audrina Plink, a 12-year-old of Italian descent. Nicknamed "Bucky Beaver" and otherwise taunted by cruel classmates, aspiring journalist Max loathes her splayed teeth, severe overbite, and jaws that "fit together like mismatched puzzle pieces." Her Class II malocclusion's painful, costly treatment—braces, headgear (which Max dubs "the jawbreaker"), and possible surgery—strains the family's already lean finances and triggers harassment from Max's sister. As Max navigates friendships, feuding parents, a father who increasingly smells of alcohol, and a journalism competition that requires a video essay, she slowly gains the courage to speak up for herself—and against academic inequities, bullying, and intergenerational trauma. Portraying complex social concepts with nuance, Max's candid, accessible first-person narration propels her growing pains and journey toward empowerment, leading to a hopeful conclusion emphasizing the idea that "no one should have to look perfect just to be treated well." An author's note discusses the story's personal roots. Secondary characters suggest the presence of racial diversity. Ages 8–12.
