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Jawbreaker
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.
★ “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.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2023
182 people are currently reading
3291 people want to read
About the author
Christina Wyman
3 books46 followersChristina Wyman is a writer and teacher living in Michigan with her husband and silly rescue cats named Alfred and Greta Cannoli―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 Guardian, and other outlets. When she’s not writing, you can find her stocking up on chocolate or trying to convince her husband to adopt more cats. Most recently, she’s developed a passion for eating strawberry jam straight out of the jar.
Christina is the USA Today-bestselling author of the middle-grade novels Jawbreaker, Slouch, and Breakout. Her upcoming novel, “Breakout,” is a fresh and funny middle-grade novel about a girl with chronic acne figuring out how to feel good in her own skin, and is available wherever books are sold, including through local independent bookstores. Her runaway debut hit, “Jawbreaker,” is a middle-grade book that follows a seventh-grader with a craniofacial anomaly, and is a Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2023. Her sophomore novel, “Slouch,” about a tall girl navigating friends, family, self-esteem, and boundaries, is a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year.
Christina is the USA Today-bestselling author of the middle-grade novels Jawbreaker, Slouch, and Breakout. Her upcoming novel, “Breakout,” is a fresh and funny middle-grade novel about a girl with chronic acne figuring out how to feel good in her own skin, and is available wherever books are sold, including through local independent bookstores. Her runaway debut hit, “Jawbreaker,” is a middle-grade book that follows a seventh-grader with a craniofacial anomaly, and is a Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2023. Her sophomore novel, “Slouch,” about a tall girl navigating friends, family, self-esteem, and boundaries, is a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
July 20, 2023
I do not like bully books. I didn’t like them when I was a kid. I didn’t like them when I was a teen. And I CERTAINLY do not like them as an adult. They’re cheap. An easy way to earn a reader’s sympathy. All you have to do is take your hero, regardless of any personality you’ve bestowed upon them, and make them the victim. Bingo! Instant empathy! For this reason, I avoid bully books for kids like the plague. I make it my mission to skew around them, whenever they’re headed in my direction. If 12-year-old me knew anything, it was that misery on the page wasn’t worth it. No way. No how.
Except . . .
I mean, there’s an exception to every rule, isn’t there? The world is full of complications. One cannot wipe out a whole genre of literature when each and every book has its own peculiarities and personalities, right? I say this because in spite of my own personal dictates, I somehow ended up reading (and greatly enjoying) a copy of Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman. I blame my local independent booksellers for this. They were the ones who told me that the book was good. Who talked it up. Who convinced me that in spite of the fact that it is the bullyingest bully book that ever bullied a bully, I would like it. And doggone it, they were right. In spite of myself, Christina Wyman’s writing is enough to coax a sourpuss like myself (or, more importantly, a former 12-year-old sourpuss who eschews such a fare) into liking what’s on the page. Jawbreaker may strike you initially as the quintessential bully book, but what’s in this story is a lot smarter, deeper, and interesting than anything you’ll find out there today.
Imagine that your teeth are bad. How bad, you ask? So bad that a surgeon would have to physically saw your jaw in half to realign them into the proper position. THAT bad, my friends! Such is the case of Max. Through no fault of her own she finds herself in possession of a mouth that refuses to adhere to the rules. Having teeth that may require surgery is pretty bad. I mean, now Max has to literally wear headgear to realign her jaw anytime she’s not in school. But what’s worse is … well … everything else in her life. Her mom is mean and ignores the fact that Max’s little sister has recently become her worst bully. Her dad is always out, and when he’s not he stinks of alcohol. School is terrible because of two bullies there that have made it their mission in life to wreck havoc with Max. Even her best friend is distracted, and this is all before Max discovers that there’s a chance to apply for a prize to work as an intern for her favorite TV journalist. Trouble is, you have send in a video application, and Max doesn’t have the ready technology (or the guts?) to do this. But when your life essentially sucks, sometimes reaching for your dreams is the least you can do. Christina Wyman constructs a story where hard living yields exceptional rewards, with a little chutzpah and a little skill along the way.
I feel like I need to tell you why precisely I was never a fan of bully books. It wasn’t that I was bullied much myself as a kid. Honestly, I wasn’t. But I remember from a young age avoiding any middle grade novels that contained discomforting themes. As a result I missed out on a lot of great books, like Bridge to Terabithia. What’s so interesting about Jawbreaker is, partly, how its publisher is selling it. If you were to look at the original cover, you might be forgiven for thinking it was selling a graphic novel. Honestly, I feel like this choice was rather inspired. There’s something friendly and inviting about this cover. It sustains you through the early pages where Max suffers just as much bullying as you might fear for her. But once you get past those initial scenes, Wyman evens the keel of the narrative. Yes, the bullies are entirely two-dimensional. The author hints at them having personal family issues or interior depths that are never explored, and that’s a pity. But on the plus side, she reinforces Max’s economic limitations, and that (for me anyway) made everything on the page a lot more interesting. So as a bully book, I’d say that Jawbreaker was fairly commonplace, but as a story about personal discovery and honesty about contemporary economics for kids, this novel is filled to the brim with bravery.
Let me tell you a little story. My husband once developed cancer. Upon discovering his diagnosis, he went to a friend of his, a doctor, and asked for advice. His friend thought, and then immediately gave my husband some of the smartest advice he ever received. He told him that when he meets his doctors and his nurses, he must immediately distinguish himself. He needed to tell his story, get them on his side, and get them to root for him. It’s not that healthcare workers are heartless. It’s just that they see so many patients that they all run together. But if you can use the power of story to distinguish your case from that of so many other people, that can only be a help to you. I mention this because in this book Max, inadvertently, takes this advice. When the book starts she’s just another kid with a difficult mouth to her orthodontist. Now watch, if you will, the moment when Max’s relationship to Dr. Watson changes. There’s a distinct point where Max moves from becoming a patient to someone that Dr. Watson cares about. It’s when she starts asking her orthodontist about her own life and experiences. It’s subtle, but you can see the relationship between the two change in that instant. As someone who has seen this happen in real life, I truly appreciated Wyman’s ability to understand that to reach a human being who is locked into a certain job or occupation, the best weapon you have is to be human yourself. And that is marvelously illustrated by this book.
Normally when I’m handed an advance reader’s copy of a book (a pre-publication title given to reviewers that has no monetary value) I’ll dog-ear any pages that I think might aid me when I review it online. Returning to Jawbreaker just now, I was surprised to find that I dog-eared only one page. But when I turned to it, I realized why I’d highlighted that particular section. Look. I’ve read a lot of middle grade novels and graphic novels for kids about economic hardships. The problem with children’s books is that when you’re talking about any level of poverty at all, the inclination is to simplify. Kids’ books, for all their charms, are not custom built for complexity. And I get that when you’re talking about picture books, but I have a twelve-year-old living in my home and she probably understands more about economic instability at 12 than I did at 21. Kids today are often well-informed on a range of different issues (to which I credit children’s literature, quite frankly). So if I were to hand a kid her age a book that dealt with, say, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory levels of simplicity when it comes to poverty, she’d call that book out immediately. Jawbreaker, in comparison, doesn’t shy away from a little complexity. And at one point in the novel Max’s mom and dad have a fascinating conversation about economic equity and what kids in school are or are not owed. During the course of this talk the author manages to show two sides to an issue without vilifying anyone. Yet, at the same time, I think a kid reading this portion of the book would understand where to fall on some of the issues being raised. I appreciate children’s authors that respect the intelligence of their young readers. Christina Wyman clearly falls into that category.
The obvious comparison folks are going to make to this book immediately is Smile by Raina Telgemeier. But honestly, aside from the fact that both books involve teeth, the tone is entirely different. I’d encourage folks to think a little differently. To me, Jawbreaker felt a lot more like Wink by Rob Harell. In both cases you’ve a lightly fictionalized middle grade novel about a kid dealing with some serious physical issues. But even so, Christina Wyman has layered her particular book with levels of complexity. The initial bully storyline may catch your attention, but it falls away throughout the course of the book, and that’s what makes this such an interesting story. 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. Jawbreaker may initially strike you as a one-issue novel, but scratch even a little bit below the surface and you’ll discover a multifaceted bit of storytelling that lures in its young readers even as it informs and instructs them. 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.
Except . . .
I mean, there’s an exception to every rule, isn’t there? The world is full of complications. One cannot wipe out a whole genre of literature when each and every book has its own peculiarities and personalities, right? I say this because in spite of my own personal dictates, I somehow ended up reading (and greatly enjoying) a copy of Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman. I blame my local independent booksellers for this. They were the ones who told me that the book was good. Who talked it up. Who convinced me that in spite of the fact that it is the bullyingest bully book that ever bullied a bully, I would like it. And doggone it, they were right. In spite of myself, Christina Wyman’s writing is enough to coax a sourpuss like myself (or, more importantly, a former 12-year-old sourpuss who eschews such a fare) into liking what’s on the page. Jawbreaker may strike you initially as the quintessential bully book, but what’s in this story is a lot smarter, deeper, and interesting than anything you’ll find out there today.
Imagine that your teeth are bad. How bad, you ask? So bad that a surgeon would have to physically saw your jaw in half to realign them into the proper position. THAT bad, my friends! Such is the case of Max. Through no fault of her own she finds herself in possession of a mouth that refuses to adhere to the rules. Having teeth that may require surgery is pretty bad. I mean, now Max has to literally wear headgear to realign her jaw anytime she’s not in school. But what’s worse is … well … everything else in her life. Her mom is mean and ignores the fact that Max’s little sister has recently become her worst bully. Her dad is always out, and when he’s not he stinks of alcohol. School is terrible because of two bullies there that have made it their mission in life to wreck havoc with Max. Even her best friend is distracted, and this is all before Max discovers that there’s a chance to apply for a prize to work as an intern for her favorite TV journalist. Trouble is, you have send in a video application, and Max doesn’t have the ready technology (or the guts?) to do this. But when your life essentially sucks, sometimes reaching for your dreams is the least you can do. Christina Wyman constructs a story where hard living yields exceptional rewards, with a little chutzpah and a little skill along the way.
I feel like I need to tell you why precisely I was never a fan of bully books. It wasn’t that I was bullied much myself as a kid. Honestly, I wasn’t. But I remember from a young age avoiding any middle grade novels that contained discomforting themes. As a result I missed out on a lot of great books, like Bridge to Terabithia. What’s so interesting about Jawbreaker is, partly, how its publisher is selling it. If you were to look at the original cover, you might be forgiven for thinking it was selling a graphic novel. Honestly, I feel like this choice was rather inspired. There’s something friendly and inviting about this cover. It sustains you through the early pages where Max suffers just as much bullying as you might fear for her. But once you get past those initial scenes, Wyman evens the keel of the narrative. Yes, the bullies are entirely two-dimensional. The author hints at them having personal family issues or interior depths that are never explored, and that’s a pity. But on the plus side, she reinforces Max’s economic limitations, and that (for me anyway) made everything on the page a lot more interesting. So as a bully book, I’d say that Jawbreaker was fairly commonplace, but as a story about personal discovery and honesty about contemporary economics for kids, this novel is filled to the brim with bravery.
Let me tell you a little story. My husband once developed cancer. Upon discovering his diagnosis, he went to a friend of his, a doctor, and asked for advice. His friend thought, and then immediately gave my husband some of the smartest advice he ever received. He told him that when he meets his doctors and his nurses, he must immediately distinguish himself. He needed to tell his story, get them on his side, and get them to root for him. It’s not that healthcare workers are heartless. It’s just that they see so many patients that they all run together. But if you can use the power of story to distinguish your case from that of so many other people, that can only be a help to you. I mention this because in this book Max, inadvertently, takes this advice. When the book starts she’s just another kid with a difficult mouth to her orthodontist. Now watch, if you will, the moment when Max’s relationship to Dr. Watson changes. There’s a distinct point where Max moves from becoming a patient to someone that Dr. Watson cares about. It’s when she starts asking her orthodontist about her own life and experiences. It’s subtle, but you can see the relationship between the two change in that instant. As someone who has seen this happen in real life, I truly appreciated Wyman’s ability to understand that to reach a human being who is locked into a certain job or occupation, the best weapon you have is to be human yourself. And that is marvelously illustrated by this book.
Normally when I’m handed an advance reader’s copy of a book (a pre-publication title given to reviewers that has no monetary value) I’ll dog-ear any pages that I think might aid me when I review it online. Returning to Jawbreaker just now, I was surprised to find that I dog-eared only one page. But when I turned to it, I realized why I’d highlighted that particular section. Look. I’ve read a lot of middle grade novels and graphic novels for kids about economic hardships. The problem with children’s books is that when you’re talking about any level of poverty at all, the inclination is to simplify. Kids’ books, for all their charms, are not custom built for complexity. And I get that when you’re talking about picture books, but I have a twelve-year-old living in my home and she probably understands more about economic instability at 12 than I did at 21. Kids today are often well-informed on a range of different issues (to which I credit children’s literature, quite frankly). So if I were to hand a kid her age a book that dealt with, say, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory levels of simplicity when it comes to poverty, she’d call that book out immediately. Jawbreaker, in comparison, doesn’t shy away from a little complexity. And at one point in the novel Max’s mom and dad have a fascinating conversation about economic equity and what kids in school are or are not owed. During the course of this talk the author manages to show two sides to an issue without vilifying anyone. Yet, at the same time, I think a kid reading this portion of the book would understand where to fall on some of the issues being raised. I appreciate children’s authors that respect the intelligence of their young readers. Christina Wyman clearly falls into that category.
The obvious comparison folks are going to make to this book immediately is Smile by Raina Telgemeier. But honestly, aside from the fact that both books involve teeth, the tone is entirely different. I’d encourage folks to think a little differently. To me, Jawbreaker felt a lot more like Wink by Rob Harell. In both cases you’ve a lightly fictionalized middle grade novel about a kid dealing with some serious physical issues. But even so, Christina Wyman has layered her particular book with levels of complexity. The initial bully storyline may catch your attention, but it falls away throughout the course of the book, and that’s what makes this such an interesting story. 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. Jawbreaker may initially strike you as a one-issue novel, but scratch even a little bit below the surface and you’ll discover a multifaceted bit of storytelling that lures in its young readers even as it informs and instructs them. 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.
March 10, 2024
Both hard to read and hard to put down. There's a lot going on here: bullying, braces, bad family dynamics. Changing friendships, changing family relationships, school challenges, home life challenges. Wyman borrows from her own childhood to tell Max's story, and it's instantly so intimate that you want Max to be okay from the first page. She is in pain, she is bullied, she makes mistakes, she's very, very real. And so are the rest of the characters. There's a big misunderstanding between some kids and adults, that I wonder if adults reading this will think, "No kid would make that mistake, that's just stupid!" But my kids have twice burst into tears when my husband and I were disagreeing about something so deeply stupid (Literally one time, if we were going to a movie on Saturday), thinking that this was the first sign of divorce. Kids don't understand adult discussions, and even when they aren't heated, they can think that something serious is going on, or fail to understand the nature of a serious discussion.
I got this from the library because all three of my kids had terrible teeth (number 3 is now in braces, 1 and 2 are done!) and I was thinking of passing this on to them. Now I totally will, not just because of the braces thing, but because of everything else!
But also: I thought this book was set in the 1980's, because I don't know if they really put headgear on people anymore? My oldest would have needed it, but they did something with big bracket INSIDE his mouth to realign his jaw instead. So, anyway, not sure if the orthodontia practices are up to date, but this is still good!
I got this from the library because all three of my kids had terrible teeth (number 3 is now in braces, 1 and 2 are done!) and I was thinking of passing this on to them. Now I totally will, not just because of the braces thing, but because of everything else!
But also: I thought this book was set in the 1980's, because I don't know if they really put headgear on people anymore? My oldest would have needed it, but they did something with big bracket INSIDE his mouth to realign his jaw instead. So, anyway, not sure if the orthodontia practices are up to date, but this is still good!
November 17, 2025
Wow!!!
Deep, hard topics, and people doing the best they can with where they are.
This was a big novel to read with my 5th grader, and I loved it!
Deep, hard topics, and people doing the best they can with where they are.
This was a big novel to read with my 5th grader, and I loved it!
December 31, 2025
Middle school, braces, bullies, and big life changes…there’s nothing easy about that stage of life. These are tough topics to write about well, especially in a way that feels real to kids while still teaching healthy ways to navigate challenges. Jawbreaker tackles those themes realistically and in ways that don’t wrap a pretty bow on important issues.
Max just wants something—anything—in her life to feel simple. But instead, she’s dealing with bullies at school and a sister who can be just as cruel. More than anything, Max wants to fly under the radar, fix her jaw, and survive middle school without too many emotional scars, but nothing seems to go her way. That is, until she starts speaking up for herself, addressing the bullying, and choosing to advocate for what’s fair—even when no one else seems to do things perfectly.
There were many moments in this story that made my heart ache, and parts where I wished I could jump into the pages and help Max face what she was going through. Still, the book handles these tough topics thoughtfully and realistically. It reminds readers that things don’t always get solved correctly the first time—but persistence and courage matter. It also shows that there is never a quick fix, it times time and persistence.
Jawbreaker is a powerful read for kids and adult who need to see themselves standing strong, and a valuable story for classrooms and conversations about empathy, bullying, and resilience.
Max just wants something—anything—in her life to feel simple. But instead, she’s dealing with bullies at school and a sister who can be just as cruel. More than anything, Max wants to fly under the radar, fix her jaw, and survive middle school without too many emotional scars, but nothing seems to go her way. That is, until she starts speaking up for herself, addressing the bullying, and choosing to advocate for what’s fair—even when no one else seems to do things perfectly.
There were many moments in this story that made my heart ache, and parts where I wished I could jump into the pages and help Max face what she was going through. Still, the book handles these tough topics thoughtfully and realistically. It reminds readers that things don’t always get solved correctly the first time—but persistence and courage matter. It also shows that there is never a quick fix, it times time and persistence.
Jawbreaker is a powerful read for kids and adult who need to see themselves standing strong, and a valuable story for classrooms and conversations about empathy, bullying, and resilience.
December 27, 2025
My 10 year old son loved this book and "wants to read the next one." Sorry bud, this is not a series, lol! Themes of family, love, bullying, friendships, and school were awesome, so well done!
May 23, 2023
definitely reminds me of smile but im not sure if its in a good way
September 7, 2024
There aren’t that many kids’s books on bullying and it is a huge issue. I still have self esteem issues from being bullied as a child and I’m in my sixties now! I think kids’ lit has gotten wrapped up in other social issues such as POC or LGBTQ+ having a hard time, which they DO. But this can happen to all ethnicities and every class or group of people. I’m glad to have read this and I’m glad that one of the bullies was included in the story. Yes, Bullies have reasons why they do it but it still doesn’t make it right! Kids and adults all react differently to bullying and more needs to be done. I thought it great that the main character was gently told she was getting attention because of her huge brace issue, and that it was affecting her sibling. I have never dealt with social media bullying, which was not really covered in this story. Two of the main characters are both dealing, or think they are dealing with divorcing parents. This is always a huge topic and it is just left hanging in this book. In a way, I’m pleased since I’m thrilled at how much attention the bullying issues got. But it was just left with an unfinished feel there. Another huge issue is dealing with kids fairly from the issue of poverty. Expecting kids to print out homework may be easier on the teachers than reading the kids’ handwriting but some parents can’t afford the equipment. This too got mentioned briefly then dropped. So this novel really tried to cover too much in my feeling. But the topic of bullying is really needed! Definitely recommended!
It would be great to have this in junior high schools and elementary school libraries!
It would be great to have this in junior high schools and elementary school libraries!
September 11, 2024
Max is dealing with all of the normal middle school angst...and she's just learned that due to her Class II malocclusion (severe overbite), she has to wear awkward headgear (the Jawbreaker) on top of her braces to hopefully avoid painful surgery. The adults in her life seem clueless to the severe bullying Max experiences on a daily basis, and the ultimate betrayal? Her younger sister is the worst bully of the bunch. Money is tight at home, parents are arguing, dad is drinking. Life is out of control.
The teachers in parents in this story are sooo frustrating to read, but there is definitely humor throughout and Max's passion for journalism steers the plot to some interesting and complex topics.
Great middle grade read! Looking forward to Slouch.
The teachers in parents in this story are sooo frustrating to read, but there is definitely humor throughout and Max's passion for journalism steers the plot to some interesting and complex topics.
Great middle grade read! Looking forward to Slouch.
March 1, 2025
A sweet and perceptive middle-grade novel, "Jawbreaker" is about how Max navigates bullying from kids at school and even from her own sister. By spending just as much time (if not more) on Max's complicated home-life, her family's tough financial situation, and an important friendship (her best friend, Shrynn), "Jawbreaker" makes it clear that bullying doesn't exist in a vacuum. It doesn't sugarcoat Max's experiences (she is often failed by many adults) but it also gives characters (some, not all) the space to reflect and grow. While Max's successes are indeed a triumph, I think the flawed but earnest characters are the true high point. I'd recommend to both teens and adults.
February 6, 2025
I loved Jawbreakers! It is an incredible story about a girl who is going through a rough patch in life. Max experienced bullying, dental treatment and parents fighting.
She tries her best to navigate these challenges but struggles to keep going. Finally after around a year her parents and principal get involved and stops the bullying, her parents stopped fighting and she couldn’t care less about her head gear.
She tries her best to navigate these challenges but struggles to keep going. Finally after around a year her parents and principal get involved and stops the bullying, her parents stopped fighting and she couldn’t care less about her head gear.
November 11, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this book! Although the main subject is dealing with the physical, emotional and mental issues of wearing braces as a teenager this book covers a wide variety of teenage issues. Including difficult relationships with friends and family members, divorce, bullying, and just trying to grow up. Very well written.
June 27, 2025
I was nonstop reading this book. When I went to bed at nights I would think about what would come next. I just had to get the other book called slouch. I have not started it yet but I can't wait to do so. If I made a list of my favorite books this year out of 5 Jawbreaker would definitely be number 1.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
The honesty of this story, although painful at times, is so needed. It speaks to challenging family dynamics, navigating middle school, bullying, and self-esteem. I love how honest the voice of the main character is, and how the story doesn’t shy away from depicting real family situations that we don’t often see in juvenile fiction.
December 22, 2023
Yep, I agree with lots of reviewers who lament not having a book like "Jawbreaker" around to read when they were kids.
I wore braces back in the mid 70's, when silver metal bans were strapped to your teeth and THEN the brackets were soldered on through which the tension wires were threaded. Definitely implements of pain! Not many kids wore braces in my junior high and high school. With that mouth full of metal, I became "Tinsel-teeth" to the bullies. And for two years, I never smiled with my teeth showing. After every school lunch, I dashed to the girsls' bathroom to check if I had sandwich stuck in my braces (gross!).
But more than reliving my time in braces, I was struck by the other themes running through this book - economic disparity, alcoholism, divorce, and yes, bullying. This was a pretty deep book-certainly NOT revealed by the graphic novel-type cover.
I definitely recommend reading this book!
I wore braces back in the mid 70's, when silver metal bans were strapped to your teeth and THEN the brackets were soldered on through which the tension wires were threaded. Definitely implements of pain! Not many kids wore braces in my junior high and high school. With that mouth full of metal, I became "Tinsel-teeth" to the bullies. And for two years, I never smiled with my teeth showing. After every school lunch, I dashed to the girsls' bathroom to check if I had sandwich stuck in my braces (gross!).
But more than reliving my time in braces, I was struck by the other themes running through this book - economic disparity, alcoholism, divorce, and yes, bullying. This was a pretty deep book-certainly NOT revealed by the graphic novel-type cover.
I definitely recommend reading this book!
September 4, 2024
Bullying - plain and simple. It is a tender story told by Max as she struggles through middle school and having to wear headgear because she has a large overbite and other issues. Well done, Christina Wyman! I can’t wait to read the sequel!
November 27, 2023
Interesting
April 27, 2024
Completely, completely, completely awesome.
July 22, 2024
I learned its okay to have a disability. Just speak up for yourself!
August 15, 2024
Cute lil kids book
August 15, 2025
My 11 year old son gave it 3/3 stars.
It's fast-paced. I always wanted to read ahead of him to find out what's going to happen next and this is the first book my kid would finish a chapter and then read the next 3 pages to find out the cliff hanger resolution (and what more could a reading-loving parent want!). That said, a lot of heavy topics (I had to tell him what AA was and a couple of other things he wasn't familiar with). While I like it opening up topics in an age-appropriate way, it got heavy at times. We will attempt to read something a bit lighter next.
It's fast-paced. I always wanted to read ahead of him to find out what's going to happen next and this is the first book my kid would finish a chapter and then read the next 3 pages to find out the cliff hanger resolution (and what more could a reading-loving parent want!). That said, a lot of heavy topics (I had to tell him what AA was and a couple of other things he wasn't familiar with). While I like it opening up topics in an age-appropriate way, it got heavy at times. We will attempt to read something a bit lighter next.
March 18, 2024
So many takeaways from this book! ❤️
October 27, 2023
This book was a hard book for me to read, but it was an incredibly worthwhile read. It was hard because I have a difficult time with books where the bullying is so awful it's almost unbearable. Now I know that severe bullying exists and I have two kids of my own so I'm not naive, but the bullying in this book was extremely toxic and I felt so terrible for the main character, Max. It gave off similar feelings as Starfish, especially since the bullying and toxic behavior was from Max's own family.
So it was a tough read. But I persevered, and I'm glad I did, because it ended up being a very rewarding story.
Max is in the 7th grade and has jaw problems. Her jaw alignment is so severe, not only does she need braces, she also needs to wear a headgear (aka jawbreaker) and may need surgery in the future. Max is picked on by several bullies including her own sister who is one year younger and trying to get in with the popular crowd at school. And when I mean picked on, it is brutal what she endures. This is not harmless teasing. It is severe, traumatic, hateful, terrible acts intended to bring her pain and make her experience in middle school almost unbearable.
To make matters worse, things are really bad at home for Max. Her parents are barely getting by paycheck to paycheck, they are fighting with each other all the time, and both have picked up addictions. It was very hard to get through these as I felt so much for Max.
Max finds solace with her best friend and her journalism club friends. She even finds a sympathetic supporter in her orthodontist! The story really starts to shine when Max addresses the topic of bullying heads on through her own reporting and journalism. I cheered for Max as she stood up for not only herself but for all the kids at her school also being bullied.
A tough book to read as it does not hold back, but a very important one, especially for the 15% of children who need braces. Definitely recommend but be mindful if your readers are sensitive.
So it was a tough read. But I persevered, and I'm glad I did, because it ended up being a very rewarding story.
Max is in the 7th grade and has jaw problems. Her jaw alignment is so severe, not only does she need braces, she also needs to wear a headgear (aka jawbreaker) and may need surgery in the future. Max is picked on by several bullies including her own sister who is one year younger and trying to get in with the popular crowd at school. And when I mean picked on, it is brutal what she endures. This is not harmless teasing. It is severe, traumatic, hateful, terrible acts intended to bring her pain and make her experience in middle school almost unbearable.
To make matters worse, things are really bad at home for Max. Her parents are barely getting by paycheck to paycheck, they are fighting with each other all the time, and both have picked up addictions. It was very hard to get through these as I felt so much for Max.
Max finds solace with her best friend and her journalism club friends. She even finds a sympathetic supporter in her orthodontist! The story really starts to shine when Max addresses the topic of bullying heads on through her own reporting and journalism. I cheered for Max as she stood up for not only herself but for all the kids at her school also being bullied.
A tough book to read as it does not hold back, but a very important one, especially for the 15% of children who need braces. Definitely recommend but be mindful if your readers are sensitive.
January 22, 2024
Perfect for fans of Smile by Raina Telgemeier and Free Lunch by Rex Ogle.
😬
Max Plink is struggling in middle school. Her parents are always fighting, her sister is her biggest bully, and now she has to wear a orthodontic headgear called “the jawbreaker”. As if life wasn’t hard enough. Max is also worried about entering a video journalism competition, even though it’s her dream, because then she’d have to be on camera. Between that hanging over her head, money being tight at home and her best friend being distant, Max tries really hard to see the good in things, but at some point something has to give.
🦷
This MG book hit very close to home for me, as I also struggled with a similar orthodontic issue as Max. I wore braces from 2nd grade until I was a junior in college + retainers & more to avoid having the surgery they wanted me to. Even as an adult I struggled with TMJ and ended up getting veneers to try and correct my bite. Luckily for me the bullying wasn’t too much since most kids had braces at some point (just not as long as me lol). I also believe I’m a stronger person for it, but that’s hard telling a middle school kid about that. They just have to go through it, which sucks. @christina.wyman.books did an excellent job with characterization, as well as also showing a toxic sibling relationship, and a rough home life. Students will relate to this #novel and know they aren’t alone. And it does get better.
CW: toxic relationships, physical abuse, vomit, bullying (theme), cyberbullying, divorce (theme), alcoholism, smoking, drinking, classism, financial struggles
😬
Max Plink is struggling in middle school. Her parents are always fighting, her sister is her biggest bully, and now she has to wear a orthodontic headgear called “the jawbreaker”. As if life wasn’t hard enough. Max is also worried about entering a video journalism competition, even though it’s her dream, because then she’d have to be on camera. Between that hanging over her head, money being tight at home and her best friend being distant, Max tries really hard to see the good in things, but at some point something has to give.
🦷
This MG book hit very close to home for me, as I also struggled with a similar orthodontic issue as Max. I wore braces from 2nd grade until I was a junior in college + retainers & more to avoid having the surgery they wanted me to. Even as an adult I struggled with TMJ and ended up getting veneers to try and correct my bite. Luckily for me the bullying wasn’t too much since most kids had braces at some point (just not as long as me lol). I also believe I’m a stronger person for it, but that’s hard telling a middle school kid about that. They just have to go through it, which sucks. @christina.wyman.books did an excellent job with characterization, as well as also showing a toxic sibling relationship, and a rough home life. Students will relate to this #novel and know they aren’t alone. And it does get better.
CW: toxic relationships, physical abuse, vomit, bullying (theme), cyberbullying, divorce (theme), alcoholism, smoking, drinking, classism, financial struggles
December 23, 2023
I’m torn on this one. I definitely enjoyed the focus on Max’s struggles both with braces and bullying. But she also dealt with significant family, financial, and friend issues and it got to be too much. The language these kids used to torment each other felt over the top at times. Alexis was horrible. I was rooting for Max and glad she used her voice to share her experience. Liked her ortho too. But overall mixed bag for me.
January 23, 2024
ending was too predictable but i do NOT miss middle school
July 3, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Max Plink has a lot of problems. First and foremost, she has a severe overbite that isn't responding to the type of braces most tweens wear. Instead, her orthodontist Dr. Watson is talking about possible surgery to realign her jaws, and has her wearing painful headgear (the "jawbreaker") to try to avoid that route. Since her young parents are struggling financially, the cost of the dentistry is impacting the rest of the family economy. This, along with having to go to the appointments, makes Max's younger sister Alexis insufferable. Not only that, but Alexis has aligned herself with students at school who bully Max about her appearance, and continues this abuse at home, where the two fight constantly. There are some good moments, like rare family nights spent with their father when he doesn't have an overnight shift, but lately he's been smelling like beer and less interested in hanging out, and he and Max's mother are fighting more and more. Max also has a refuge at her friend Shrynn's house, where she has a lot of fun spending Friday nights with her friend and her much nicer younger sister Amy, but lately Shrynn seems oddly distant. The two friends do see each other at their Brooklyn school, where they both work on the school newspaper, and are working on projects for a city wide competition to get a chance to work with journalist Jordan Slade. The bullying doesn't let up at school, Max's teeth don't respond to the headgear as hoped, her parents keep fighting, and she struggles with her contest submission. It's a lot, and there is no reprieve and no one who can help Max through her difficulties. She does have some success with her op ed piece for the school newspaper, which goes viral, and helps teachers understand that not all students have access to the type and quality of technology that would let them be successful on all of their school assignments. She also has a good idea for the contest; she interviews her orthodontist about the problems she faced that led her to pursue the field. While working on her own project, Max realizes that Shrynn is facing her own problems that she hasn't shared publicly, and that maybe Max hasn't been the best friend that she could be. Max and Alexis continue to have horrible fights (that are similar to those in Davis' 2023 Figure it Out, Henri Weldon), and when Max deliberately ruins Alexis' science fair project, Alexis takes revenge in a very public way. This causes the parents to take a look at everything that is going on in the home and how it is affecting the girls, and make some changes.
Strengths: Instead of killing off all of the middle grade parents, it's far more interesting to see parents portrayed as not only real, slightly flawed humans but also as people whose actions directly affect the lives of their children! As someone to whom students like to tell their problems, I've heard stories that make Max's parents look like good examples! I'd love to see more fully developed parents in middle grade literature, and especially loved how the details of things like having flip phones, dealing with technology challenges (I see this all day, every day at school), and not being able to afford school trips impacted Max and Alexis. It's also refreshing to see a student with dental isssues; as widespread as braces are, Telgemeier's Smile and Haston's 2011 How to Rock Braces and Glasses are about the only books that really go into this. Even writer Beverly Cleary wore braces back in the 1920s, so you'd think it would be addressed much more. I liked that school assignments were big deals in the lives of both Max and Alexis, and that they were depicted as having to share resources to complete them. Alexis even uses her artistic creativity to avoid presenting her project with technology. The end of the book does show some hope for a better emotional path forward for Max's struggling family.
Weaknesses: While my students seem to love the extreme angst of books like Telgemeier's Sisters (2014) or Smile (2010) or Hale's Best Friends, I personally prefer books that more fully investigate one or two problem rather than giving brief coverage to a lot of problems. I would have liked to know more about the father's drinking or the family's financial difficulties, or even the mother's childhood experiences, but these are all just touched on. Also, I was very surprised that the family got a physical newspaper, given how stretched their finances were. Even I have gone mostly to the digital version, and my students look at the Sunday edition I bring to school with amazement.
What I really think: The cover makes this look like it might be a graphic novel, but it is not. I'll definitely purchase a copy, even though I have to admit that in 25 years of teaching, I have never seen a student who had to wear headgear to school!
Max Plink has a lot of problems. First and foremost, she has a severe overbite that isn't responding to the type of braces most tweens wear. Instead, her orthodontist Dr. Watson is talking about possible surgery to realign her jaws, and has her wearing painful headgear (the "jawbreaker") to try to avoid that route. Since her young parents are struggling financially, the cost of the dentistry is impacting the rest of the family economy. This, along with having to go to the appointments, makes Max's younger sister Alexis insufferable. Not only that, but Alexis has aligned herself with students at school who bully Max about her appearance, and continues this abuse at home, where the two fight constantly. There are some good moments, like rare family nights spent with their father when he doesn't have an overnight shift, but lately he's been smelling like beer and less interested in hanging out, and he and Max's mother are fighting more and more. Max also has a refuge at her friend Shrynn's house, where she has a lot of fun spending Friday nights with her friend and her much nicer younger sister Amy, but lately Shrynn seems oddly distant. The two friends do see each other at their Brooklyn school, where they both work on the school newspaper, and are working on projects for a city wide competition to get a chance to work with journalist Jordan Slade. The bullying doesn't let up at school, Max's teeth don't respond to the headgear as hoped, her parents keep fighting, and she struggles with her contest submission. It's a lot, and there is no reprieve and no one who can help Max through her difficulties. She does have some success with her op ed piece for the school newspaper, which goes viral, and helps teachers understand that not all students have access to the type and quality of technology that would let them be successful on all of their school assignments. She also has a good idea for the contest; she interviews her orthodontist about the problems she faced that led her to pursue the field. While working on her own project, Max realizes that Shrynn is facing her own problems that she hasn't shared publicly, and that maybe Max hasn't been the best friend that she could be. Max and Alexis continue to have horrible fights (that are similar to those in Davis' 2023 Figure it Out, Henri Weldon), and when Max deliberately ruins Alexis' science fair project, Alexis takes revenge in a very public way. This causes the parents to take a look at everything that is going on in the home and how it is affecting the girls, and make some changes.
Strengths: Instead of killing off all of the middle grade parents, it's far more interesting to see parents portrayed as not only real, slightly flawed humans but also as people whose actions directly affect the lives of their children! As someone to whom students like to tell their problems, I've heard stories that make Max's parents look like good examples! I'd love to see more fully developed parents in middle grade literature, and especially loved how the details of things like having flip phones, dealing with technology challenges (I see this all day, every day at school), and not being able to afford school trips impacted Max and Alexis. It's also refreshing to see a student with dental isssues; as widespread as braces are, Telgemeier's Smile and Haston's 2011 How to Rock Braces and Glasses are about the only books that really go into this. Even writer Beverly Cleary wore braces back in the 1920s, so you'd think it would be addressed much more. I liked that school assignments were big deals in the lives of both Max and Alexis, and that they were depicted as having to share resources to complete them. Alexis even uses her artistic creativity to avoid presenting her project with technology. The end of the book does show some hope for a better emotional path forward for Max's struggling family.
Weaknesses: While my students seem to love the extreme angst of books like Telgemeier's Sisters (2014) or Smile (2010) or Hale's Best Friends, I personally prefer books that more fully investigate one or two problem rather than giving brief coverage to a lot of problems. I would have liked to know more about the father's drinking or the family's financial difficulties, or even the mother's childhood experiences, but these are all just touched on. Also, I was very surprised that the family got a physical newspaper, given how stretched their finances were. Even I have gone mostly to the digital version, and my students look at the Sunday edition I bring to school with amazement.
What I really think: The cover makes this look like it might be a graphic novel, but it is not. I'll definitely purchase a copy, even though I have to admit that in 25 years of teaching, I have never seen a student who had to wear headgear to school!
August 4, 2024
Max is fine with her face, but aged about 8 or 9, her teeth decided to change direction and pretty much do what they want. This has resulted in braces and even worse, having to wear headgear to try and prevent surgery. Her jaws do not sit where they should and her orthodontist hopes the headgear nicknamed the ‘Jawbreaker’ will help the problem.
From Max’s point of view, the biggest problem is that this headgear is to be worn several hours a day, is soon even more painful than the tightening of her braces, and makes her drool even more than before. What Max foresees is that the daily bullying about her teeth will become even worse.
It started with two kids on the school bus. “Bucky Beaver”, “Train wreck face”, and “Horse face” are just a few of the names they throw at Max, and to make things even worse, her younger sister Alexis is right there with them, with the name calling. This ensures that the bullying follows Max from home to school and back again.
Max’s parents don’t notice Alexis being the attacker, only that their daughters are squabbling again, and they blame them both. Tensions are high in the home because money is tight, Dad works nights and Mum during the day. Their once calm and happy family is beginning to fall apart, making Max’s only real escape her best friend’s house, especially on Fridays.
When that changes too, and her best friend becomes distant, Max tries to focus on something else she enjoys – working on the school newspaper. An aspiring journalist, Max looks up to Jordan Slade, a TV news star. Jordan has established the ‘Channel 5 Rising Star Journalist Competition’, just the thing Max would normally jump at. But this time it isn’t a written project, that Max knows she could do well in, but a video report. Max isn’t sure she wants her “Train wreck, bucky beaver, horse face,” out in the public eye.
As she tries to deal with the bullying, ignore her parent’s arguing, beer breath and chain smoking, and try and reconnect with her best friend, she begins to contemplate entering the competition. Little does she know that everything she is going through might just be the thing she needs to compile a video report to be proud of.
Braces are a normal thing in children’s lives, and unfortunately, so is bullying. Put the two together, add money struggles and tension between parents and you have a perfect storm of trouble. Drawing on her own experiences, author Christina Wyman has written it just how it is. Endless bullying, name calling and shaming, which culminates in a showdown both at home and school. Parents who are too busy just trying to pay bills and live from day to day to see what’s happening between their daughters, and friendships suffering due to unspoken problems.
Max is a believable authentic character to root for in all that she is dealing with. There are other layers to this award winning middle-grade read however. A character is dealing with divorce, another with an extremely strict parent, and the bullies are proven to be products of their own parents.
But the over arching answer to it all is that all of these troubles are not forever. Things can be worked through and the way to do this is through communication. Between parents and children, between principals and students, between siblings and between friends.
I was lucky enough to meet the author at a ABA / RISE Children’s Bookseller’s Convention in Milwaukee USA in 2023. Coming from NZ on a RISE Scholarship, I was in awe the entire week at the passion of booksellers from all over the US, and at the plethora of books available for readers.
The cover of Jawbreaker grabbed me straight away, and I’m glad it is now available in Aotearoa New Zealand too.
A Great Read!
From Max’s point of view, the biggest problem is that this headgear is to be worn several hours a day, is soon even more painful than the tightening of her braces, and makes her drool even more than before. What Max foresees is that the daily bullying about her teeth will become even worse.
It started with two kids on the school bus. “Bucky Beaver”, “Train wreck face”, and “Horse face” are just a few of the names they throw at Max, and to make things even worse, her younger sister Alexis is right there with them, with the name calling. This ensures that the bullying follows Max from home to school and back again.
Max’s parents don’t notice Alexis being the attacker, only that their daughters are squabbling again, and they blame them both. Tensions are high in the home because money is tight, Dad works nights and Mum during the day. Their once calm and happy family is beginning to fall apart, making Max’s only real escape her best friend’s house, especially on Fridays.
When that changes too, and her best friend becomes distant, Max tries to focus on something else she enjoys – working on the school newspaper. An aspiring journalist, Max looks up to Jordan Slade, a TV news star. Jordan has established the ‘Channel 5 Rising Star Journalist Competition’, just the thing Max would normally jump at. But this time it isn’t a written project, that Max knows she could do well in, but a video report. Max isn’t sure she wants her “Train wreck, bucky beaver, horse face,” out in the public eye.
As she tries to deal with the bullying, ignore her parent’s arguing, beer breath and chain smoking, and try and reconnect with her best friend, she begins to contemplate entering the competition. Little does she know that everything she is going through might just be the thing she needs to compile a video report to be proud of.
Braces are a normal thing in children’s lives, and unfortunately, so is bullying. Put the two together, add money struggles and tension between parents and you have a perfect storm of trouble. Drawing on her own experiences, author Christina Wyman has written it just how it is. Endless bullying, name calling and shaming, which culminates in a showdown both at home and school. Parents who are too busy just trying to pay bills and live from day to day to see what’s happening between their daughters, and friendships suffering due to unspoken problems.
Max is a believable authentic character to root for in all that she is dealing with. There are other layers to this award winning middle-grade read however. A character is dealing with divorce, another with an extremely strict parent, and the bullies are proven to be products of their own parents.
But the over arching answer to it all is that all of these troubles are not forever. Things can be worked through and the way to do this is through communication. Between parents and children, between principals and students, between siblings and between friends.
I was lucky enough to meet the author at a ABA / RISE Children’s Bookseller’s Convention in Milwaukee USA in 2023. Coming from NZ on a RISE Scholarship, I was in awe the entire week at the passion of booksellers from all over the US, and at the plethora of books available for readers.
The cover of Jawbreaker grabbed me straight away, and I’m glad it is now available in Aotearoa New Zealand too.
A Great Read!
June 18, 2024
"Jawbreaker" delves into the tumultuous life of Max Plink, a junior high student navigating a myriad of personal challenges. Max’s life is far from simple: her family dynamics are strained with her parents' rocky relationship and a cruel sister who also happens to be one of her bullies. To add to her troubles, Max deals with severe dental issues; she suffers from a Class II malocclusion, or severe overbite, which not only requires braces but also the painful addition of orthodontic headgear, humorously yet distressingly nicknamed "the jawbreaker."
The narrative intensifies as Max faces a new challenge: a journalism competition she is eager to win, which unfortunately involves a video component. The prospect of exposing her orthodontic struggles to a broader audience brings a mix of fear and determination. Max grapples with the visibility her condition brings and the internal conflict between her desire for recognition in her journalistic pursuits and her fear of public scrutiny and ridicule.
"Jawbreaker" offers a well-written glimpse into the struggles of adolescence, particularly those involving physical health issues and family dynamics. But the characters, including Max's parents and even Max herself, lack depth and exhibit behaviors that I didn't like. Particularly jarring was an incident involving physical discipline from Max’s mother, which was not adequately addressed thereafter, leaving a troubling impression about the resolution of serious family conflicts.
Along with that, the sudden redemption of her parents towards the end of the story felt unearned and incongruous with their earlier portrayal, contributing to a disjointed narrative about personal growth and family reconciliation.
While "Jawbreaker" carries a powerful message about overcoming personal and public challenges, the execution falters when it comes to character development and consistent moral messaging, affecting the overall impact of the story. Despite these shortcomings, the novel could serve as a conversation starter about resilience and self-acceptance amidst adversity, though it may leave readers wanting more in terms of character redemption and narrative cohesion.
The narrative intensifies as Max faces a new challenge: a journalism competition she is eager to win, which unfortunately involves a video component. The prospect of exposing her orthodontic struggles to a broader audience brings a mix of fear and determination. Max grapples with the visibility her condition brings and the internal conflict between her desire for recognition in her journalistic pursuits and her fear of public scrutiny and ridicule.
"Jawbreaker" offers a well-written glimpse into the struggles of adolescence, particularly those involving physical health issues and family dynamics. But the characters, including Max's parents and even Max herself, lack depth and exhibit behaviors that I didn't like. Particularly jarring was an incident involving physical discipline from Max’s mother, which was not adequately addressed thereafter, leaving a troubling impression about the resolution of serious family conflicts.
Along with that, the sudden redemption of her parents towards the end of the story felt unearned and incongruous with their earlier portrayal, contributing to a disjointed narrative about personal growth and family reconciliation.
While "Jawbreaker" carries a powerful message about overcoming personal and public challenges, the execution falters when it comes to character development and consistent moral messaging, affecting the overall impact of the story. Despite these shortcomings, the novel could serve as a conversation starter about resilience and self-acceptance amidst adversity, though it may leave readers wanting more in terms of character redemption and narrative cohesion.
October 20, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, wow, what a fantastic book! The characters were all three-dimensional and extremely fleshed out and felt like ordinary people I'd run into on the street. Everyone's motivations made sense. It's a tough introduction since you're thrown into the middle of Max's issues but it starts building up from there. Her parents have dark sides to them but nothing too depressing and in the end, they're shown as flawed parents but are willing to be better.
Max is a great protagonist as well, very flawed but her actions always made sense. Her friends could've been fleshed out more but honestly, there was a lot going on in this book I'm glad they weren't a main focus.
My favorite part is how the sisters bullied each other and the book didn't demonize them for it--they were going through tough times, economically and emotionally. The two bullies at school didn't magically get redeemed which was nice, but the sisters had to work through their own bullying thanks to the administration & the parents intervening. I'm sick of bullies always getting redeemed and sometimes people are just jerks, so I like that the sister got redeemed but the other two bullies didn't and were still jerks to the bitter end.
Fair warning this is NOT a graphic novel like the cover suggests. Other than the teeth problems, I can't say this shares many similarities with Smile but it's still a really good read. Highly recommend!
Wow, wow, what a fantastic book! The characters were all three-dimensional and extremely fleshed out and felt like ordinary people I'd run into on the street. Everyone's motivations made sense. It's a tough introduction since you're thrown into the middle of Max's issues but it starts building up from there. Her parents have dark sides to them but nothing too depressing and in the end, they're shown as flawed parents but are willing to be better.
Max is a great protagonist as well, very flawed but her actions always made sense. Her friends could've been fleshed out more but honestly, there was a lot going on in this book I'm glad they weren't a main focus.
My favorite part is how the sisters bullied each other and the book didn't demonize them for it--they were going through tough times, economically and emotionally. The two bullies at school didn't magically get redeemed which was nice, but the sisters had to work through their own bullying thanks to the administration & the parents intervening. I'm sick of bullies always getting redeemed and sometimes people are just jerks, so I like that the sister got redeemed but the other two bullies didn't and were still jerks to the bitter end.
Fair warning this is NOT a graphic novel like the cover suggests. Other than the teeth problems, I can't say this shares many similarities with Smile but it's still a really good read. Highly recommend!
March 5, 2025
**Book Review: *Jawbreaker* by Christina Wyman**
Christina Wyman’s *Jawbreaker* is a heartfelt and humorous middle-grade novel that tackles the challenges of growing up with braces, bullying, and family struggles. Max Plink, the protagonist, already has plenty on her plate—her parents are fighting over money, school bullies (including her own sister) make life miserable, and now she has to wear an embarrassing piece of orthodontic headgear known as “the jawbreaker.” Just when Max thinks things couldn’t get worse, she faces another challenge: competing in a journalism contest that requires her to be on camera, showcasing her braces to the entire city.
What makes *Jawbreaker* stand out is its honest and relatable portrayal of adolescence. Wyman, drawing from her own experiences, captures the embarrassment, frustration, and resilience that come with being different. Max’s struggles with self-confidence and fitting in will resonate with young readers, especially those who have felt self-conscious about their appearance. Despite the heavy themes—family tension, bullying, and self-image—the book is filled with humor and warmth, making it an engaging read.
Fans of authors like Raina Telgemeier and Kelly Yang will appreciate Wyman’s ability to blend humor with real-life issues. *Jawbreaker* is not just about braces—it’s about perseverance, self-acceptance, and finding the courage to chase your dreams, even when life throws obstacles in the way. Perfect for ages 8-12, this novel is both entertaining and empowering.
Christina Wyman’s *Jawbreaker* is a heartfelt and humorous middle-grade novel that tackles the challenges of growing up with braces, bullying, and family struggles. Max Plink, the protagonist, already has plenty on her plate—her parents are fighting over money, school bullies (including her own sister) make life miserable, and now she has to wear an embarrassing piece of orthodontic headgear known as “the jawbreaker.” Just when Max thinks things couldn’t get worse, she faces another challenge: competing in a journalism contest that requires her to be on camera, showcasing her braces to the entire city.
What makes *Jawbreaker* stand out is its honest and relatable portrayal of adolescence. Wyman, drawing from her own experiences, captures the embarrassment, frustration, and resilience that come with being different. Max’s struggles with self-confidence and fitting in will resonate with young readers, especially those who have felt self-conscious about their appearance. Despite the heavy themes—family tension, bullying, and self-image—the book is filled with humor and warmth, making it an engaging read.
Fans of authors like Raina Telgemeier and Kelly Yang will appreciate Wyman’s ability to blend humor with real-life issues. *Jawbreaker* is not just about braces—it’s about perseverance, self-acceptance, and finding the courage to chase your dreams, even when life throws obstacles in the way. Perfect for ages 8-12, this novel is both entertaining and empowering.
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