Popcorn

by Rob Harrell

The beloved author of Wink is back with a hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety on a day when everything is going wrongAndrew’s just trying to make it through Picture Day, which is easier said than done when it seems like the whole world is out to get him—from a bully to a science experiment gone wrong to a someone else’s juice snot (don’t ask).But as Andrew goes through the school day, and as one thing after another goes wrong, that little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter, until it threatens to pop and turn into a public panic attack, his worst fear. He tries to keep his anxiety at bay, but the news that his grandmother with Alzheimer’s is missing is too much.Interspersed with humorous spot art and “anxiety file” panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD and real tips for coping, this is a poignant, personal, and laugh-out-loud funny story about letting go of control and accepting help—all while trying to get the perfect school picture.

Genres: Middle Grade, Mental Health, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Audiobook, Friendship, Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another middle grade hits me in the feels! I'm not sure I was expecting to feel so much from this specific title, but Rob Harrell did such an excellent job. CW: bullying, realistic depictions of OCD and anxiety.

What Worked: Popcorn is a title that I decided to pick up because I needed to read it for work and it recently won the Schneider Family Book Award for Middle Grade. While I knew that this book was going to focus on the main characters anxiety and OCD, I didn't realize how layered those conversations would be and how much I would grow to adore Andrew. Harrell created multifaceted characters, but also a layered plot. Not only are there explorations of Harrell's mental health, but also the complicated relationships he has with other characters including his best friend and his grandmother who has Alzheimer's. And yet with these difficult and complex aspects of the book, Harrell is still able to make the book fun and humorous. It's set against the backdrop of picture day where a series of unfortunate events happen back to back and includes something called the "anxiety files" which capture moments where Andrew details his experiences with OCD and anxiety. These moments provide clarity for younger readers who may not experience the same things as Andrew.

Overall, I felt like this was well done and I need to check out Wink next!

[Julie Swearingen · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an advanced copy from the publisher*
Rob Harrell is a master of middle grade fiction! I loved WINK, and if it's possible, I might love POPCORN more. Harrell's use of the popcorn kernel metaphor to explain anxiety and panic attacks is possibly the most relatable way to help kids (and adults!) understand what it feels like to live with it. The descriptions of Andrew's experiences with anxiety and panic attacks had me tearing up, and then tearing up again when he's comforted by a teacher who also experiences them. Harrell's illustrations of the Anxiety File and Anxiety Friend are both entertaining and insightful. I cannot wait to put this into kids' and parents' hands.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s going to be a day for Andrew. He carries anxiety with him, but hopes he never has a full blown panic attack at school. Oh shoot. Sorry, Andrew. I think I will give this a 3.5. I appreciated how it handled the issues around anxiety and particular the panic attack, but the bully was over the top awful and I always knock off for that.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this middle grade book completely accidentally and was blown away by the level of excellent, relatable anxiety and OCD representation. I especially loved how a number of coping techniques get brought up and mentioned seamlessly through the story, not taking away from the plot or emotionally charged moments.

The book follows Andrew through Picture day at his school where he has some especially anxious thoughts and episodes. Some are related to bullying, others come from germs, and one particularly bad episode happens when his grandmother with Alzheimer's goes missing.

The audiobook production quality was top notch as was the mental health rep in this book by a new to me author. HIGHLY recommended especially for fans of books like Ain't it funny, Drawing Deena or Birdbrain by Joanne Levy.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s picture day at school, and the universe has conspired to make this Andrew’s worst picture ever.
The day starts with a little anxiety, Andrew’s mom has her first day at a new job that NEEDS to work out so that she can afford to put Andrew’s grandma G in a memory care facility, since her Alzheimer’s has gone from bad to worse. And then school actually starts. PE disasters, a notorious bully, a science experiment gone awry, a devastating phone call…things pile up until Andrew feels like a kernel ready to pop.

Rob Harrell has such a gift! He turns scary circumstances into funny stories and interweaves coping mechanisms and life advice with ridiculous plotlines to craft beautiful, moving stories that kids actually want to read. Definitely recommend! Fifth grade and up (adults too!).

People may give you weird looks during book talks though: “it’s about a kid who has panic attacks and his grandma has Alzheimer’s and he’s being bullied, but I swear y’all, it’s SO funny!”

Also loved the little shoutout to Wink. I would read books in Rob Harrell’s universe forever.

[Carli · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. This is an excellent story that focuses on anxiety and OCD. Andrew is just trying to make it through school picture day, with his new shirt and haircut. Things go haywire, however, after a run-in with a bully, news that his grandmother (who has Alzheimer’s) is lost, a mishap in science class, and some unfortunate snot. With each incident, Andrew feels the kernel that is his mental state getting closer and closer to popping…
This is an excellent depiction of anxiety and OCD in adolescents. Highly recommended for grades 4-8. Relatable, funny, and heartfelt. #mglit #librarian #librariansofinstagram #middleschoollibrarian

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this book puts you in the feels! Andrew has the most terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day and he gets through it. (And reminds me that I have survived 100% of all my bad days.)

Childhood anxiety is rising and this is a perfect example/introduction to the discussion. I loved the drawings that Rob put in the book. And I love that it all happens on the annual picture day.

I will book talk this to my class tomorrow and see it fly around the room in the hands of readers.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anxiety over a bully and his missing grandma, who has Alzheimer's, overwhelms a kid on a horrific school picture day. Kind and understanding adults and some friends help him get through.

[Beth Geisler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I loved Wink. This book wasn’t as strong as a read for me. Great for kids with OCD and anxiety.

[Basia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Leeni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popcorn kuvaa ahdistusta, OCD:tä ja paniikkikohtauksia humoristisella tavalla nuorille sopivalla tasolla. Kirjassa vaikuttaisi olevan kuvituksia (jotka on selitetty auki äänikirjassa), joten silmillä lukeminen varmaankin antaa enemmän. Vähän sellainen “kaikki menee päin helvettiä” -farssi jonka lopussa saa nauraa kaikelle, eli ei nyt tarinamuodoltaan ihan lempparini mutta viihdyin. Mua kiinnostaa aina kovasti miten tällaisista aiheista kirjoitetaan lapsille ja nuorille, ja koska tän päähenkilö on 12-vuotias, on tämä aikas nuorille suunnattu. Suosittelenkin tätä lähinnä nuorille lukijoille.

[Diana of Shelved by Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Harrell's Wink is one of my favorite trauma-centered books. This time, instead of sharing his middle-school experiences with a rare ocular cancer, Harrell shares his middle-school experiences with OCD and anxiety, mostly within the structure of protagonist Andrew Yeager's single school day. The school day happens to be Picture Day and, from his first encounter with his bully, Andrew's day goes from bad to worse in what would be described as a comedy of errors if you go for gallows humor. It's not fully explained why this particular Picture Day is so important to Andrew's mom, but Andrew wants to honor his mom's wishes.

I have quite a few readers in my middle school classes who gravitate to the trauma books, so this one will surely be another hit. Andrew is a likeable kid readers will root for, but learn from as well as he tries some of the strategies he's learned to cope with his anxiety. His grandmother's Alzheimers adds to his worries, and Harrell helpfully includes a list of resources for kids dealing with any of these topics at the end of his book.

I'll happily add this book to the shelves of my school, especially if it might help a student who can identify with Andrew in any way. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[bjneary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew’s anxiety causes him problems everyday but since today is picture day, all he wants is a great picture with his nice new shirt. This book is funny, sad, authentic (author note at end) & his illustrations are perfect. His therapist gave him a moleskin book to write & illustrate everyday what he is feeling. He has a mom who is starting her first day on a new job, G his gran has Alzheimer’s & is living with them (in his bedroom) & it is not easy especially when she forgets who he is or accuses him of doing something (he did not do). The title of the book, Popcorn is spot on as “things” continue to happen- a bully, flying basketballs, G is missing- all of this affects Andrew like popcorn kernels in oil until…this is a must read, middle grade students will be turning those pages—-with humor interspersed with reality- this book is a winner!

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This came in as a new title in the collection. I had just finished Darius the Great Is Not Okay which gave me a bit of a look at a teen with anxiety. I think this work by Harrell is much better in that aspect, really putting me in Andrew's head, how he thinks, how he feels. The book follows our hero (hey, he IS a hero!) during one very long, just-keeps-getting-worse day. And how his anxiety ramps up, eases off, ramps up, explodes, etc.

Plus I have a new term for overactive worrying brain: Noggin' Ferrets! Love it.

[Shella · Rating 5 out of 5]

5++ loved this book!! Harrell’s other book, Wink, is marvelous book too. Even though Andrew is dealing with some serious topics, this story is full of humor. The illustrations are so spot on and really give a boost to the reader to take a deep dive into Andrew’s feelings. This would make a great book club title. This is the type of book that helps develop authentic empathy. Any young person dealing with anxiety and panic attacks will most likely relate to situations in this book. I can’t wait for another title from this author. It was very deserving of the Schneider book award.

[Alice magical library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. It was all about Andrew who had anxiety, and how it affects him. Some parts of this books are relatable, and it is just incredible how Rob writes. I think that his writing style is fantastic, and I love how this novel has pictures as well as lots of writing. He made it all feel very real, and I feel like everyone over the age of six should read this funny, wonderful book, as it would help people get a better understanding of what anxiety feels like for people, and this is defensively one of my favourite books that I read this year.

[James Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Popcorn is an honest, funny, and really important book. The main character, Andrew, does an incredible job showing what it feels like to live with anxiety and occasional panic attacks. He talks through the strategies he uses, the moments that feel overwhelming, and the little victories along the way. It’s real without being heavy, and Rob Harrell balances the tough stuff with humor that kids will connect with.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an outstanding middle grade read that handles the tough topics of anxiety and Alzheimer’s/dementia with appropriate humor. I never imagined I would find a 12-year-old, male protagonist so relatable. I wish this book had existed when I was in 7th grade! I have a new recommendation for middle schoolers around the library.

[Sharon Oslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading through MSBA nominated list. This story follows a middle school around his normal day. But it’s picture day, when he wants everything to go well, but is the complete opposite. Takes on peer relationships, family hardships, Alzheimer’s, bullying, anxiety and OCD. Discusses supports in a great way while also adding in some humor.

[Samantha Gross Cribbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book I needed in middle school. It's so important to see yourself in literature to help you realize you are not alone in your struggles and others can be dealing with similar things as you.

[Shaunna MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over wimpy kid, Rob Harrell is coming in hot as my favorite, funny, middle school realistic fiction author. 😉💜

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally crying at work trying to tell my fellow librarians about this book. Never have I wanted to hug a fictional character more than this one. 💔

[Arjun Manoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great and extraordinary coming-of-age book!

[Rebecca McPhedran · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Maine Student Book Award Nominee for 25|26.

Andrew Yeager is an anxious kid. And he’s definitely got a lot to be anxious about. Today, picture day of all days, he’s had a fight with a basketball, a run in with a bully, and an incident with a ketchup rocket.

Everything seems to be piling up for him. Will Andrew make it through the day? I really enjoy Rob Harrell’s books. His characters are so relatable.

[BiblioBrandie]

I really hate bullies, and Gene the Mean is the worst—mostly because he is way too over the top. I appreciated how this book addressed the issues surrounding anxiety, and I also appreciated the representation of OCD. I think students will enjoy the humor, the illustrations, and the story as well.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super thoughtful and funny. Great book for middle schoolers to learn more about anxiety, whether they're going through it themselves or to understand it better if a friend or loved one is going through an anxious time. Excellent illustrations, too!

Very excited to have won this through Goodreads #giveaways !

[Anna Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the ARC and it was so good!!! I could feel for the narrator and I laughed at the style :) I will be recommending to students!!!

[Beaches and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received an early copy of this book for review...thank you to Storygram and the publisher for sending it my way)

This book was fantastic. Not only was it absolutely hysterical and quick witted...but it deals with a hugely important topic...anxiety. As a parent with anxiety and a mom to a kid with both anxiety and OCD...this was spot on...so relatable...and an incredible resource to help kiddos with anxiety feel less alone. Author Rob Harrell did a fabulous job balancing humor and heart in this book. The comic style drawings of anxiety are perfect...they so accurately depict things...but they do so with humor. This was just fantastic and I wish we had had a book like this when my daughter was younger. I think it would have been hugely helpful. So many wondeful tips from breathing exercises to drawing etc. So well done...can't wait for kiddos to read this book!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Tall, skinny Andrew Yaeger is dealing with a lot. His father lives on the west coast. His grandmother, G, a former middle school social studies teacher, has Alzheimers and is living in his room while he sleeps on the couch. His mother is starting a new job that she hopes will help the family financially, especially if G has to go into a care facility. On top of all of that, it's picture day in seventh grade, and his mother, Susan, wants a picture that does NOT look like Andrew was "attacked by wolves". Susan even buys him a new shirt and makes him take a spare just in case. This upsets Andrew's routine for the day, since his back pack is meticulously organized, and shoving the shirt in will turn his sandwich into "peanut butter and jelly origami". Luckily, he has his best friend, Jonesy, whose mother, Mika, was Susan's college roommate. Jonesy is Andrew's opposite; she loves sports, her family is well off, and she is outgoing and careful, in contrast to Andrew's anxious and awkward personality. Andrew has even gone to three therapy sessions with Dr. Cain. They were very helpful, but his mother couldn't afford more, so he deals with his emotions by drawing in a journal the therapist gave him, and these drawing help illustrate the story. Adding to Andrew's problems, bully behemoth Gene calls him names like "Garage Sale", and roughs him up after Andrew won't help him cheat. After an incident in gym where a basketball slams into Andrew's face, he seeks help from the nurse for his black eye, bloody nose, and broken glasses. She's very supportive, and offers to try to fix the shirt. At lunch, Andrew is dealing with growing anxiety that he likens to a popcorn kernel heating up. He's hit in the head by ketchup from a makeshift ketchup rocket. After a brief stop at the nurse, he heads to science class, where his teacher uses the rocket as a teachable moment, and has the class do a small scale chemical reaction in a beaker. Gene sabotages Andrew's, and soon our hapless hero's face and hands are covered in purple. He and Jonesy are called to the office with the news that G is missing. Mika stepped away for a moment, and now can't contact Susan. Do the two know where G might have gone? In the art room with Mr. Kellerman, using mineral spirits to remove the purple dye, Andrew spirals down into a full-blown panic attack. Mr. Kellerman has Jonesy contact the nurse, puts a girl in charge of the class, and takes Andrew outside. He helps him to breath and calm down, and lets him know that he, too, has anxiety and panic attacks. When G shows up at school, telling the principal to get back to class (he was one of her students years ago!), the police are able to finally contact Susan, talk to her boss, and get G to a safe place. Andrew decides to take his school picture anyway, so that the day can be memorialized, since he survived. He also reaches out to Gene, shares a moment from the past when they were happy together, and asks that the two find a way to be more civil to each other. The end of the book has resources for various issues, as well as a note from the author describing his personal connection to Andrew's story.
Strengths: Harrell understands how schools work, and creates realistic, intriguing characters. Andrew's day could actually happen, as horrible as it was! My heart broke, seeing G's vintage school picture in a fabulous 70s vest and roaming the school halls in her bathrobe. The details of Andrew's therapy, and his recounting of his mental state are very instructive, especially in the depiction of his panic attacks and the events that lead to it. Even though Andrew struggles with multiple issues, he has some coping strategies and tries very hard to fight through difficult issues. His support network is strong, and Jonesy is a good friend. Mr. Kellerman, and his overalls and sandals was great fun. The school nurse (whose name I didn't write down) was also a great character, with her hidden stash of pop and Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The fact that she and Mr. Kellerman were dating made me smile. There are a number of other students who make an appearance, and most are understanding and nice to Andrew. Of course, Harrell's drawings are always a plus; he could draw a successful update to Borgman's classic How Are You Feeling Today? A Vocabulary of Emotions poster (probably published in the late 1980s.)
Weaknesses: This was a funny book, but Andrew's day was traumatic. I'm glad that Harrell was able to relate this with humor, but I had a hard time laughing at it, since I've been in Mr. Kellerman's position on multiple occasions, doing box breathing with children in distress. I've also fixed a lot of wardrobe malfunctions! I enjoyed the book, but felt that perhaps I shouldn't.
What I really think: This is very similar to Amore and Cosgrove's Monday: The Worst Week Ever, with the a variety of cascading troubles leading up to school pictures, but is much more serious. The best comparison is that the book is a combination of Patterson's Middle School books with the psychological content of Cooke's Puzzled or Sattin and Hickman Buzzing. I think that students will gain a lot from seeing Andrew's travails and his coping skills, and will hopefully also gain empathy for classmates who may be having bad days. This author's Wink and Bat Pig are very popular with my readers, so this book will circulate well. I think this just hit a bit close to home for me, and made me sad, but that means the writing was very effective.