Published by Square Fish

Summary:  Max has a lot to deal with: an orthodontist who tortures her with braces, headgear, and threats of jaw surgery; family issues that include drinking, money issues, and some pretty toxic rivalry with her younger sister; and bullying at school about her teeth.  Her passion is writing, and when her op-ed piece on a lack of resource equity at school goes viral, she decides to enter a journalism contest and write about her experiences with orthodontia and bullying.  Writing helps Max find her voice, and she begins to speak up about what is bothering her at home and at school, leading to a rethinking of how the school handles bullying, as well as the beginning of some healing for her family.  Includes an author’s note (at the beginning) about her own experiences that inspired this book.  320 pages; grades 4-7.

Pros:  I’ve seen some comparisons of this book to Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, with its exploration of bullying, family issues, and orthodontia.  Jawbreaker is able to dive a little deeper than a graphic novel can, making this an excellent book for middle school kids.

Cons:  The ending resolved some of the many difficult issues in Max’s life a little too easily.