Breakout

Praise for Breakout:

A Junior Library Guild Selection
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A Barnes and Noble Best Book of the Month

★ “Wyman expertly captures the tween voice and struggles with Ellis as she navigates eighth grade. While her issues with acne are a focal point of the story, her relationships with her friends and family are also at the forefront. The topics discussed are handled with honesty and humor and don’t downplay that their importance for middle schoolers … A realistic fiction title worthy of any middle school and public library shelf.” –School Library Journal, starred review

“A 13-year-old navigates ‘the Acne Scale of Doom, ’ strained friendships, and parental insensitivity in this fresh and funny drama … Candid, humorous narration centers adolescent angst while highlighting financial tension in a family anchored by separated, blue-collar parents who ‘can’t afford to get a real divorce, ’ resulting in another snappy, sensitive, and sage offering from Wyman.” –Publishers Weekly

“A humorous coming-of-age novel with zits, separated parents, complicated friendships, and therapy dogs … Wyman authentically portrays multidimensional teens and adults, expertly pacing the intergenerational interactions among characters who care for each other but sometimes need to learn to listen to different perspectives … A witty story about feeling good in your own skin that rings true emotionally.” –Kirkus Reviews

“This novel of ‘dogs, stress, and breakouts’ ends on a hopeful note, promoting the value of mental-health awareness, intervention, and honest, clear communication.” –Booklist

“Another amazing middle grade novel from Christina Wyman. Ellis is dealing with skin issues, her mom dating, evolving friendships and a whole lot more. I could not stop turning pages!” –Colby Sharp, Literacy Advocate

Praise for Slouch:

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
A Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Selection
A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year
A Barnes & Noble Best Kids’ Books of the Month Selection
An Amazon.com Best Book of the Month for Ages 9-12
A Publishers Weekly New and Noteworthy Children’s and YA Books of the Month Selection
A Junior Library Guild Selection

★ “This fresh, heartfelt slam dunk from Wyman entwines enthralling details about debate into a story that probes financial precarity and adolescent insecurity. Whip-smart prose and potent middle school drama keep the pages turning, but it’s the accessible conversation about bodily autonomy, consent, privacy, and social media’s influence that make this a standout read.” –Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“Wyman’s character work shines in Stevie’s relationships, as the highs and lows of friendship ebb and flow naturally; Stevie’s relationship with her brother is especially realistic and poignant … Stevie’s self-consciousness, path to more confidence, willingness to take up space, and journey to finding her place are sure to be relatable for readers of all heights.” –Booklist

“Wyman imbues Stevie’s story arc with blossoming self-awareness … An upbeat ‘you do you’ message delivered with a valuable side of ‘your body is your own’ awareness.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Compelling … Themes such as safe social media practices, friendship, complicated crushes, self-confidence, and the plight of working families who can’t make ends meet offer levity to the story that is sure to resonate with young readers.” –School Library Journal

Praise for Jawbreaker:

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
An American Booksellers Association Best Book for Young Readers of the Year
A Target Monthly Book Club Pick
A Readerlink Buzz Pick
A New York Times “Books for Kids Starting Middle School” Selection
Nerdy Book Awards Middle Grade Fiction Winner
William Allen White Children’s Book Award Nominee
Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee, Intermediate Titles (Grades 3-5)
Kids All Iowa Reads selection
A Junior Library Guild Selection

“A courageous story about developing ‘brace’ under pressure.” –The New York Times

★ “Smile meets Wonder.” –Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

★ “A hugely relatable must-read: witty, intensely emotional, and full of heart.” –Kirkus Reviews, 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.” –BookPage, STARRED REVIEW

“An inspiring underdog tale.” –Booklist

“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

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

Christina Wyman is a teacher and writer living in Michigan with her husband and rescue cats, Alfred and Greta Cannoli. She also shares her home with the raccoons, owls, and hummingbirds that frequent a tree outside her bedroom window.

Christina grew up in a small apartment in Brooklyn, New York, where she nurtured her dream of becoming a writer. Her work has been featured in publications such as New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Elle, Ms. Magazine, and The Independent.

When she’s not writing, Christina enjoys stocking up on chocolate and attempting to persuade her husband to adopt more cats. Recently, she’s developed a fondness for eating strawberry jam directly from the jar.

Christina is the USA Today-bestselling author of the middle-grade novels Jawbreaker, Slouch, and Breakout.

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