Jawbreaker

by Christina Wyman

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Class II malocclusion, headgear and a frustrating nickname do not make for a good middle school experience, but that is what Max faces in Jawbreaker. Told with levity, heart and humor, this is a delightful debut about growing up and accepting yourself.

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250331021
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	10/24/2023
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	34,206
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.50(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Christina Wyman is a teacher and writer living in Michigan with her husband and silly rescue cat named Alfred—not to mention the raccoons, owls, and hummingbirds that occupy a tree outside their bedroom window. She grew up in a tiny apartment with her family in Brooklyn, New York, where she dreamed of becoming a writer. 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 she’s not writing, you can find her stocking up on chocolate or trying to convince her husband to adopt more cats.

Editorial Reviews

★ 08/21/2023

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 leanfinances 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. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
An Indies Introduce Pick
A Kids' Indie Next Pick
A Kirkus Reviews Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
An Amazon Best Book of the Year for Ages 9-12
A Target Monthly Book Club Pick
A Readerlink Buzz Pick
An ABA Best Book for Young Readers of the Year
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for Ages 9-12
Nerdy Book Awards Middle Grade Fiction Winner
A Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated Kids' Book of the Month
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A Pop! Goes the Reader Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books: October-December 2023
A Reading Middle Grade Best Middle Grade Books of the Year
A CCBC Choices Selection
Book Cover of the Year, School Library Journal Children's Lit: The Year in Miscellanea

“Inspired by her own life experiences, in her debut, Wyman explores typical junior high stresses such as navigating friendships while deftly exploring serious topics like toxic family dynamics, substance abuse, and the psychological toll of bullying. Interwoven with the weight of heavy topics is a message of hope, perseverance, and self-acceptance presented in a humorous and relatable way. It’s this accessible, balanced approach to painful and emotionally charged situations that makes this book so wildly successful . . . A hugely relatable must-read: witty, intensely emotional, and full of heart.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Smile meets Wonder in Wyman’s affirming debut . . . 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.’” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Heartfelt and often heartbreakingly realistic . . . Wyman demonstrates an impressive ability to conjure up both the pain and delight of middle school with immediacy and empathy. An impassioned author’s note reveals that Wyman’s own background inspired this sometimes harrowing, but ultimately hopeful, story. 'Sometimes finding joy takes a lot of work,' she notes. Reading Jawbreaker is an excellent and highly gratifying start." —BookPage, starred review

“Readers will relate to Max’s experiences dealing with bullies, trying to complete assignments without the technological resources of her peers, navigating changing family dynamics, and enduring typical preteen angst . . . This heartfelt story about a common middle school experience of having braces will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Smile.” —School Library Journal

“Wyman’s debut is a wonderfully messy slice of life that gives space to kids dealing with bullying, sibling conflict, economic insecurity, and parents coping with divorce and alcoholism . . . An inspiring underdog tale.” —Booklist

"Wyman has made an engaging novel with a realistic rendering of both the well of love but also the bitterness that can fester in families as they go through rough patches . . . An emotionally gripping story about a girl from a struggling working-class family with a story to tell." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Wyman is unafraid to treat her readership like intelligent human beings capable of contemplating a complex story full of self-doubt, bullying, economic disparities, justice, and equity . . . Plus, it’s horribly difficult to put down! I dare you to read even two chapters and not be engulfed in the narrative. Smart and savvy, Jawbreaker is the novel you wish you had read as a kid and are grateful that kids get to read today.” —Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, A School Library Journal Blog

“After finishing this book, I found myself with more empathy for the humans around me . . . Life is hard (especially in middle school and most definitely with orthodontia) and Max Plink is a great flagbearer to remind us to be kind to each other.” —Christina Batten, Schuler Books Bookseller

"An honest, funny, and gut-wrenching tale of bullying, family conflict, and orthodontia.” —Alyssa Raymond, Copper Dog Books Bookseller

"Funny and relatable." —Jenny Carney, co-founder of Sidetrack Bookshop

From the Publisher

09/01/2023

Gr 5–7—In a novel inspired by the author's own childhood, seventh grader Max Plink has a Class II malocclusion, also known as severe overbite, which typical braces are not able to correct. Her orthodontist, Dr. Watson, has been talking about potential surgery that would wire her mouth shut for weeks. Max is currently wearing painful headgear that she calls the "jawbreaker" to try to avoid the surgery. Her parents are struggling financially and the additional cost of dentistry, plus her dad's substance abuse problem, has put a strain on the family. Max's younger sister Alexis is hanging out at school with kids who bully Max about her appearance and the two fight constantly at home. The bright spot in Max's days is spending time with her friend Shrynn, although she has been distant recently while dealing with her own family issues. The two work for the school newspaper and participate in a competition to work with journalist Jordan Slade. Readers will relate to Max's experiences dealing with bullies, trying to complete assignments without the technological resources of her peers, navigating changing family dynamics, and enduring typical preteen angst. VERDICT This heartfelt story about a common middle school experience of having braces will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier's Smile.—Sarah Polace

School Library Journal

★ 2023-08-11
Bullying, family strife, and a severe overbite set the stage for this gut-wrenching but overall optimistic tale set in Brooklyn.

Twelve-year-old Maximillia Plink’s life is already difficult enough without the painful headgear for her braces that her orthodontist makes her wear to correct a complicated overbite. But she’s also contending with the looming possibility of double jaw surgery, her parents’ increasingly frequent arguing, and her family’s financial struggles. The worst things, however, are the relentless abuse by bullies (chief among them her own younger sister), paired with what feels like a lack of support and cluelessness from the adults around her. When a journalism competition is announced at school, Max must choose whether to follow her dreams or shy away from submitting the required video essay for fear of being targeted for even more bullying. Inspired by her own life experiences, in her debut, Wyman explores typical junior high stresses such as navigating friendships while deftly exploring serious topics like toxic family dynamics, substance abuse, and the psychological toll of bullying. Interwoven with the weight of heavy topics is a message of hope, perseverance, and self-acceptance presented in a humorous and relatable way. It’s this accessible, balanced approach to painful and emotionally charged situations that makes this book so wildly successful. Max and her family are white; there is racial diversity among the supporting characters.

A hugely relatable must-read: witty, intensely emotional, and full of heart. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews