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Awkward
(Berrybrook Middle School #1)
by
Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by the mean kids.
Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them.
On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she's already broken the first rule, and the mean k ...more
Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them.
On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she's already broken the first rule, and the mean k ...more
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I have enjoyed this author's books since her early series, DRAMACON. The intense rivalry between the art club and the science club was fun and exciting.
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So freakin cute! This comic is very fun and impressive to me. The Art club girl and The Science club boy and their awkward fun story. This book just made me laugh a lot! Made me smile. Made me happy. The picture are very well done. So much love this! ><'
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Project Learning English by myself. I loved the plot, the drawings, and the 2 main characters: the lovely Penelope (Peppi) and the cute Jaime. She is into the arts and he is into science in middle school.
"Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by mean kids. Cardinal rule #2: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them. Cardinal rule #3: Build. Build things. Build friendships. Build yourself. Bit by little bit. It may feel like you're not adding that much... but in the ...more
"Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by mean kids. Cardinal rule #2: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them. Cardinal rule #3: Build. Build things. Build friendships. Build yourself. Bit by little bit. It may feel like you're not adding that much... but in the ...more
Gina says:
One of the things I really liked about this book was how diverse it was.
It wasn’t just that the main character was diverse (though she is), but that the background characters represent a good mix of genders, ethnicities, and abilities – both at school and at home. It really felt like the author thought about every single character she put into the book and made them represent people from all around our culture – in a really seamless way.
Yay for that!
Calista says:
I read this book too! ...more
One of the things I really liked about this book was how diverse it was.
It wasn’t just that the main character was diverse (though she is), but that the background characters represent a good mix of genders, ethnicities, and abilities – both at school and at home. It really felt like the author thought about every single character she put into the book and made them represent people from all around our culture – in a really seamless way.
Yay for that!
Calista says:
I read this book too! ...more
This charming graphic is shelved as YA but would be entirely appropriate for upper elementary. A sweet story about a diverse group of students who must learn to work together to arrive at a shared goal, this one has a positive message without being unrealistic or overly sappy. After the story, the author provides insight into character development and detailed information on the steps and hard work involved in creating a graphic novel (6-7 hours per page), as well as contagious enthusiasm for he
...more
Fun, simple little story that was recommended to me by my child, who loved this book (read it repeatedly before telling me to read it.)
Penelope is the new kid at school who starts the year off by pushing a boy who's looked down on by others. She regrets her action, and spends several weeks attempting to deal with it. There is also ongoing drama between the after school art club (Penelope's a member) and the science club (the boy is a member). And something else I really liked about this story: t ...more
Penelope is the new kid at school who starts the year off by pushing a boy who's looked down on by others. She regrets her action, and spends several weeks attempting to deal with it. There is also ongoing drama between the after school art club (Penelope's a member) and the science club (the boy is a member). And something else I really liked about this story: t ...more
Hands down one of the best comics I've read all year!
Hilarious, thoughtful, and full of heart, Awkward showcases a wonderful array of genuine characters. This comic casually includes characters of color (many who are successful and/or in positions of power), a disabled mother (who is also fantastic and successful), multiethnic families, dysfunctional families, a wonderful discussion on the merits of art and science and whether they're truly opposites, and a boy-girl friendship that isn't romanti ...more
Hilarious, thoughtful, and full of heart, Awkward showcases a wonderful array of genuine characters. This comic casually includes characters of color (many who are successful and/or in positions of power), a disabled mother (who is also fantastic and successful), multiethnic families, dysfunctional families, a wonderful discussion on the merits of art and science and whether they're truly opposites, and a boy-girl friendship that isn't romanti ...more
We're going to be recommending this darling graphic novel to everyone we meet. Aimed at 8-12 year old kids, Awkward will appeal to teens and adults as well. There are so many things we loved about it: it's smart, it's funny, it's diverse in multiple ways, it's got art and science and geocaching, and it's downright adorable. Most of all, the characters reach out and grab their readers' hearts. We wanted to hug each and every one of them by the time we reached the very satisfying ending. Highly re
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So adorable!
I'm glad I read the second book, Brave, first because it put this one into a more favorable context; I think I'd have been peevish in my reading had I not known what comes next. Awkward is a little awkward, it doesn't quite have its flow, yet. Everything that comes off so gracefully in the next book - diverse characters, middle-school problems, family problems - feel a little more forced, less organic, in this first volume.
Regardless, it's a great start, following the very likeable a ...more
I'm glad I read the second book, Brave, first because it put this one into a more favorable context; I think I'd have been peevish in my reading had I not known what comes next. Awkward is a little awkward, it doesn't quite have its flow, yet. Everything that comes off so gracefully in the next book - diverse characters, middle-school problems, family problems - feel a little more forced, less organic, in this first volume.
Regardless, it's a great start, following the very likeable a ...more
I just devoured this story. It's a comic, so a fast read, but I was just so charmed by it that I didn't want to put it down for even a moment. Chmakova so perfectly captures that age and the concerns and social dynamics. I really loved both the affection and clarity that engages memory, sympathy, and even a little healing by taking those awkward dynamics and illustrating a way through them that was both plausible and hopeful. It doesn't hurt, of course, that Peppi and Jaime are such wonderfully
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Cute.
I really liked this book. The characters were so diverse in diffrent ways. It was also very reflective of how middle schoolers act when boys and girls are friends. I loved all the people's relationships with their parents.
...more
Jun 28, 2017
Melissa McShane
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
middle-grade-contemporary,
graphic-novels
Svetlana Chmakova is one of my favorite cartoonists and a fabulous writer. I'm not sure if I love Dramacon Ultimate Edition or Nightschool The Weirn Books better, but now I'm certain Awkward will be one of my new favorites. She captures so perfectly the terrible awkwardness that is middle school, with all the fears and worries and pain. In her fear of being mocked, Peppi makes a huge mistake and embarrasses Jaime, whose only crime is trying to help her. Poor Peppi, unable to find a way to apolog
...more
This is definitely one of the best middle grade graphic novels that I've read. I loved the characters, the middle school setting, the conflict that arises between the two student clubs-science and art, and the glimpse at what it means to be a friend. As a teacher, the characters in the story display problem-solving skills and work on resolving their existing conflict. I know my grade 7 and 8 girls have really enjoyed this story as well. It probably would grab the attention of young girls in grad
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This is a sweet, all's-well-that-ends-well tale of a young girl attempting to navigate the many obstacles that make up life for an average middle-school kid: bullies, making and keeping friends, competition, and studying - it's all here.
I found this on a table at a book sale this weekend. Looking forward to cataloging it, and getting it out on the shelves for the library patrons to enjoy. ...more
I found this on a table at a book sale this weekend. Looking forward to cataloging it, and getting it out on the shelves for the library patrons to enjoy. ...more
This was so cute!! With manga-like illustrations, themes of owning up to one's actions, and an adorkable plot, it's impossible to not enjoy Awkward. When Peppi accidentally snubs the school's resident nerd, she feels terrible and spends weeks trying to figure out how to apologize. So imagine her surprise when he's the one chosen to tutor her in science! As the two navigate their middle school hallways, friendships, rivalries, and school spirit, they grow closer together.
It's clear that Chmak ...more
It's clear that Chmak ...more
I wasn't planning on reading this, guys and I am working right now! I swear I was just wanted to skim a few pages while I had my lunch. After reading straight for 30 mins, I can't believe I finished it in a single sitting. Oh well, I will slog through 1 hour more in work office *ugh...
These characters are so adorable and cute. It's a science vs art club drama but so much more. I really loved this! Reminded me of Big Nate comics I love so much as well. ...more
These characters are so adorable and cute. It's a science vs art club drama but so much more. I really loved this! Reminded me of Big Nate comics I love so much as well. ...more
I can tell already I will need to buy an additional copy or two of this for my library. I'm definitely going to be recommending it to all the Raina Telgemeir fans. I thought this was a great graphic novel. There were a lot of things I liked about this beyond the story: the friendship between the main character and the boy whose name I forgot and that there weren't romantic overtones or worries; that one of the characters is in a wheelchair and it's never mentioned-it just is; that Penelope stand
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Dec 18, 2015
Adrienne Pettinelli
added it
"Build things. Build friendships. Build yourself."
...more
I have loved some of Svetlana's previous works, and she did not disappoint with this MG story.
From the art style and the character's designs to the choice of colours, I loved it all. It was so soft.
I also found the characters engaging and believable, humour aside. Stubbornness and unreasonable antagonism towards the "other" is something that happens frequently when it comes to humans.
Awkward is a great lesson for school kids. Or perhaps a bunch of tiny lessons with a big one. ...more
From the art style and the character's designs to the choice of colours, I loved it all. It was so soft.
I also found the characters engaging and believable, humour aside. Stubbornness and unreasonable antagonism towards the "other" is something that happens frequently when it comes to humans.
Awkward is a great lesson for school kids. Or perhaps a bunch of tiny lessons with a big one. ...more
I contributed this review to Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
This is a really great graphic novel about friendship, finding your community & navigating middle school. The illustrations are great. I cackled a few times & I'm glad there are several other parts of the Berrybrook Middle School Series. AWKWARD deals with bullying, having to say you're sorry, working without people you previously judged & forging new friendships. ...more
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
This is a really great graphic novel about friendship, finding your community & navigating middle school. The illustrations are great. I cackled a few times & I'm glad there are several other parts of the Berrybrook Middle School Series. AWKWARD deals with bullying, having to say you're sorry, working without people you previously judged & forging new friendships. ...more
Loved the artwork, loved the message, loved the diversity and realisticness of the characters, loved the design gallery and drawing process overview in the back.
Fans of Raina Telgemeier will absolutely enjoy this one. Can't wait for Svetlana Chmakova to write another graphic novel...maybe about the newspaper club next time? ...more
Fans of Raina Telgemeier will absolutely enjoy this one. Can't wait for Svetlana Chmakova to write another graphic novel...maybe about the newspaper club next time? ...more
This book is absolutely amazing! The characters are all diverse and three dimensional, each of them have a backstory and a personality. The main character,Peppi is amazing and is a very life like charcter. All of the other characters in the art and science club are absolutely amazing and I love them so much! ❤️💛💚💜💙
I'm going to be obsessing over this book for days! ...more
I'm going to be obsessing over this book for days! ...more
Great pacing and great character develop mix together with good story telling and even a moral tossed in. The characters are highly relatable and the art clearly has a manga influence in it done right. Overall, this was a very fun read.
Cute, with a message that isn't hammered too hard.
...more
I really liked this because it shows how girls and boys can be friends too, and this was a pretty short read (for me, at least).
This was a super fun story about friendship, overcoming prejudice and preconceptions, making amends for your mistakes, and working together while having differences. I really, really enjoyed it. I'm marking it as children's and middle grade, although I think people who are older can enjoy it as well. The cast is super diverse, and not just racially (although that is also true). I was also pretty pleased that the boy-girl friendship didn't move into the romance realm (that happens so much, even w
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This is really sweet and funny! I appreciated the lesson that sometimes people can do shitty things just because they're feeling nervous and that amends can still be made. And the art is adorable! A great one for Raina Telgemeier devotees.
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*spoiler warning*Haven't read and don't want to it too be spoiled? then don't read!Have you ever had those awkward moments with friends especially with new ones?well I have and Penelope and Jamie the main characters of awkward have too. The genre of the book is realistic fiction. Awkward was a good book because it's realistic,relatable and connection with the reader at certain points.
So in the book awkward Penelope goes to a new school and on her first they trips and falls and Jamie comes to hel ...more
So in the book awkward Penelope goes to a new school and on her first they trips and falls and Jamie comes to hel ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Halle Williams Review 3 | 1 | 3 | May 11, 2020 03:22PM | |
| Kailey Taylor's Book Review 3 | 1 | 3 | Feb 17, 2020 03:57PM |
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Svetlana Chmakova (Russian: Светлана Шмакова) (born 1979 in Russia) is a comic creator. She is best known for Dramacon, an original English-language (OEL) manga spanning three volumes and published in North America by Tokyopop. Her other work includes the 2-page The Adventures of CG for CosmoGIRL! magazine and the webcomic Chasing Rainbows for Girlamatic. Though born in Russia, she immigrated to C
...more
Other books in the series
Berrybrook Middle School
(4 books)
Articles featuring this book
If you're still looking for books to inspire your young reader, middle grade graphic novels just might do the trick. Perfect for...
55 likes · 21 comments
2 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“My mom says . . . there are bad people who hurt others for fun . . . and there are good people who do it by accident. Like, they make a mistake?
I think you're a good person.”
—
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I think you're a good person.”
“Penelope? Thank you. For not leaving me alone to deal with this . . . when things got hard. other people would have. You're a true friend.”
—
3 likes
More quotes…
Jan 19, 2021 10:29AM
Jan 19, 2021 10:30AM