Popcorn: Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing 2026
Age 9 +
Paperback
Buy the book
03 September 2024
Imprint: Piccadilly Press
Synopsis
A heartfelt and laugh-out-loud-funny story about letting go of control and accepting help, interspersed with Rob Harrell's amazing spot art and comic panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD, as well as real tips for coping.
Andrew's just trying to get through school photo day with one aim: a photo of him which his mum will like. But today of all days, the world seems out to get him.
There's a bully, the science experiment gone wrong, scary news about his grandmother, and someone else's juice snot (don't ask). Andrew struggles with anxiety, and the little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter . . . Can he make it through the day without popping?
Andrew's just trying to get through school photo day with one aim: a photo of him which his mum will like. But today of all days, the world seems out to get him.
There's a bully, the science experiment gone wrong, scary news about his grandmother, and someone else's juice snot (don't ask). Andrew struggles with anxiety, and the little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter . . . Can he make it through the day without popping?
Details
03 September 2024
288 pages
9781835870877
Imprint: Piccadilly Press
Reviews
“Harrell's illustrated novel shines with a humorous, authentic depiction of a middle school
student with anxiety and OCD. A must-purchase-this is sure to be popular with Harrell's fans as well as with readers of middle school-themed illustrated novels and comics.”School Library Journal, starred review, 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 Reviews, Kirkus Reviews
“Blends humour with meaningful themes, making it a useful text for discussing mental health and support systems with UKS2 and KS3 readers. Highly recommended.”School Reading List, School Reading List
“Harrell's illustrated novel shines with a humorous, authentic depiction of a middle school student with anxiety and OCD [...] A must-purchase.”School Library Journal, School Library Journal