Last One Picked

by Audrey Meeker, Sarah Davidson (Contributor)

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Middle Grade

224 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 13, 2026

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up. I loved this graphic novel about a rising 9th grade girl and I think it will be a perfect fit for my grade 5-12 school library. The book starts on the last day of school, and somehow captures that awkward “open social time” that’s built into those days. After being set free from school, Annabeth is excited and ready to spend the summer reading and volunteering at the library. All is going well, but eventually her mom “encourages” her to attend a volleyball camp, to get her active and out of the house.

At the camp, Annabeth - who is new to volleyball - struggles with her athletic skills, her bully of a next-door neighbor/former friend, and her body image. Meanwhile, her next-door neighbor is struggling with her own problems.

I found the girls’ conversations to be realistic, along with the inner thoughts that many of us face/have faced in our school years. There is a diversity of athletes depicted, which rang true. I loved the camaraderie that Annabeth finds at camp. As in real life, some girls are mean, but not all. It’s a book about sports, but also about navigating friendships and parental relationships.

A few constructive points: While Annabeth is in the summer before high school, the book doesn’t cover any concerns/ mixed feelings about going to a new school. While they wouldn’t have fit in the story per se, it seemed strange. Also, as a librarian, I feel compelled to say that the bookshelves in the library are way too high.

I think my students will love this book - especially girls in grade 5-7, and I look forward to purchasing it for my library when it is released.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy, in exchange for an honest review.

[Jac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adolescence is so hard for SO many reasons, and Last One Picked captures a couple of them clearly and honestly. Annabeth and Serena are friends who grew apart as middle school came along. Now “enemies” in the summer between 8th grade and high school, they both find themselves in a week-long volleyball camp and volunteering at the library.

Annabeth is the protagonist of this graphic novel. She loves the comfort of books and solitude; she’s never been one for putting herself out there, especially when it comes to sports, due in part to social dynamics and body dysmorphia (that is really well illustrated). Annabeth thinks Serena’s life is perfect: she has friend group, she’s tall and thin, and she’s athletic. A big benefit of this novel is that we get to see into parts of Serena’s life, too, though—and we discover it isn’t as great as it seems. That might be pretty obvious to a more mature reader, but I liked how it was spelled out pretty explicitly for a MG reader.

The art style wasn’t really my favorite BUT I can see early teens liking how colorful and expressive it is. I just personally think the recent style of arrows pointing things out (“<~~no knee pads :(“) is cringy.

If anything was lacking in the book, I think it could’ve used more development of the relationship between Annabeth and her mom. I expected (wanted!) a confrontation near the climax after Annabeth learns a possible reason for her mother enrolling her in the volleyball camp… but it never comes. I also would’ve loved a heart-to-heart between Annabeth and the volleyball coach who had a similar body shape as her. Oh well!

I have students who would feel seen in this book so it’s a title I’ll be adding to my class library once it publishes October 13th. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s (Feiwel & Friends) for the ARC!

[Chloe Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested this book because I was a big fan of Audrey Meeker's previous graphic novel Swing. I was not disappointed by this new addition!! The story follows two girlies in the summer between 8th grade and freshman year, Annabeth is the library queen and obsessed with books, Serena on the other hand is deeply involved with volleyball and athletics. When Serena's pushy (I could say worse about this woman) mom drops a comment to Annabeth's mom about summer volleyball camp, she decides its time for Annabeth to get out of her comfort zone and try something new. Serena on the other hand has just signed up to be a volunteer at the public library, which so happens to be Annabeth's summer activity as well. The two girls are thrown into each other's worlds, and competitiveness ensues. The tables are turned though when Serena realizes the library volunteer opportunity is more fun than she thought, and Annabeth realizes the same about volleyball.

The story covers relevant topics to growing up as a girl and facing pressures about your body, changing, extracurriculars, etc. I really resonated with Annabeth's experience of being a less athletic girl and feeling out of place in sports. Serena's character also experiences really tough situations of body image issues and pressure from parents. I feel like many young girls would be able to relate to this story, and I think it brings forth some important messages about being true to yourself, trying new things, and supporting your friends, all in a cute and fun story with wonderful illustrations. I will certainly recommend this title to tweens and younger teens! I rate it 4/5 stars, thank you to Netgalley for this arc!

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

As her face so clearly demonstrates on the cover of this charming graphic novel, Annabeth is extremely uncertain and not too thrilled about her current situation. Summer is starting, but her mom isn't thrilled about letting her chill and read (on its surface, a criminal act). Mom decides Annabeth is going to split her time between what she wants to do - volunteer at the library - and what her mom thinks she should try: volleyball camp. Like most of us at this age, Annabeth has two big challenges: her opinion of herself and her perceptions of how her peers see her. This book will send more experienced readers right back to this awkward stage and really, REALLY help those who are in it right now.

Mostly but not exclusively through volleyball, Meeker features a pair of former friends who are currently nemeses and neighbors and have the potential to regain a better relationship. There's also a strong focus on body image, on confidence, on mother/daughter relationships, and on the value of building belief in yourself. Though there are many lessons here, the book remains enjoyable and does not feel didactic, making it all the more impactful.

This is my first experience with this writer, and it will not be the last. I really enjoyed how much got packed in here, and I found myself easily rooting for both Annabeth and Serena, even when they made bad, age appropriate choices.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabeth and Serena are neighbors, who used to be good friends. Summertime between eighth and ninth grade brings dreams of volunteering at the library for Annabeth, who loves reading the Warrior Princess book series. Serena’s summer is dictated by her mom’s wishes, which includes volleyball camp. When Annabeth gets signed up for the same volleyball camp, she has to learn to navigate a new to her space.

Last One Picked brings a blend of early adolescent (and beyond) experiences – girls trying to navigate a friendship that was lost in recent years, the confidence that can be gained by putting yourself out there and taking a chance, the value in learning from others, how easy it is to forget that we don’t always know someone else’s experiences or where they’re coming from, how books can hold a space for everyone - and all of it comes with a side of volleyball. As a non-volleyball player, I appreciated the way it brought the story together.

The graphics add to the storytelling. The details, expressions, and overall emotion are captured in a way that makes everything flow together to create a full reading experience.
I appreciated reading this book as an adult, but I also wish it were one that I could have read back in my own adolescent days. It shows how we can stretch across the space we thought we might have lost, reconnect with friends, and find new spaces that we can excel in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the advanced digital copy for review. All thoughts are my own.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy of Last One Picked! I've read Swing by Audrey Meeker as well, so I was happy to see another graphic novel by her.

Last One Picked is about Annabeth who is just graduating 8th grade. She wants to spend her summer reading books and volunteering at the library, doing the things she loves! Her ex-best friend/next door neighbor, Serena, wants to spend her summer getting on the freshman volleyball team. Why? Her mom wants her to.

Serena's mom is a straight-up bully. She taught her behavior to her daughter and everyone notices--including the volleyball coaches. Serena's mom bullies Annabeth's mom into getting her to enroll in volleyball camp to do something physical during summer break to help her "slim down." Ah! I'm having flashbacks of middle school! The girls are NOT excited about both being involved in the same activity at all.

Surprise for Annabeth--Serena starts volunteering at the library. She just cannot get away from her! To top things off, the author to Annabeth's favorite book series (and Serena's secret favorite book series) is coming to the library. All the tickets are taken, but the library needs ONE volunteer to help at it.

Who will get on the team? Who will meet their favorite author? You'll have to read it to find out!

This is a great book about learning about yourself and how the others around you affect your behavior if you let them. Self-awareness is amazing, but only if you pay attention!

[Ashli Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last One Picked by Audrey Meeker is such a gem of a middle grade graphic novel. Heartwarming, relatable, and full of quiet courage — I absolutely loved it.

Annabeth was the kind of character who instantly felt real to me. A book-loving, introverted girl whose dream summer involves the library and rereading her favorite Warrior Princess series? Yes please. Watching her get thrown completely out of her comfort zone at volleyball camp (with no kneepads and zero experience!) was equal parts funny and painfully relatable.

What I appreciated most was how authentic the friendships felt — especially the complicated dynamic with Serena. The story doesn’t take the easy route. It explores insecurity, comparison, and what happens when we shrink ourselves for someone else. The deal they make before tryouts had me stressed in the best way because you can feel Annabeth starting to realize her worth.

The growth in this story is so beautifully done. Volleyball becomes more than just a sport — it’s confidence, teamwork, and finding your place. And as someone who would have 100% chosen the library over sports at that age, I found Annabeth’s journey especially meaningful.

This is a perfect pick for middle grade readers navigating friendship shifts, new challenges, and learning to take up space. Sweet, empowering, and so encouraging. A five-star read for sure. 💛

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

This is a great book for adolescent girls. I liked getting the point of view of both Annabeth and Serena because it served as a good reminder that you never know what is going on in someone's life that might make them act the way they do. It also showed how being "thin" doesn't necessarily mean someone is confident in their body. I thought there could have been a little more of a conversation between Annabeth and her mother about why her mother signed her up for the camp, especially after Serena's mother made the comment about how it would be a good way for her to lose weight. I wish the teenage girls I work with had Annabeth's perseverance and determination to not just handle a difficult situation but to turn it into a positive part of her life - resiliency is definitely something more young people could work on. The heart-to-heart between Annabeth and Serena about what happened with their friendship was well done and further showed how Serena felt she had no control over anything. It also set the path for them to get on good terms again. I do not know if they did become friends again, but it was nice to see them getting along.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing like being the last one picked. I too preferred books over spots, as the main character, Annabeth, in this story does. She wants to stay home and read her favorite books all summer, as well as volunteer at the library. Her mother has other plans. She thinks she needs to get out there and exercise, so signs her up for volleyball camp. The last thing she wants to do.

Worse, her former best friend is also signed up, and she wants to turn pro, and add this to her resume for college, you know, that sort of competition. So, Annabeth decides to just suck it up, and do her best, even if she doesn’t have any interest in ever playing in high school.

My heart went out to Annabeth, and I loved that this story took a much different turn than I thought it would. I liked that she actually tried and got better. That is an amazing tale to tell to kids who think they can never get better, so why try?

And if you are ever interested in playing volleyball, there are some good tips in the story for the best way to do so.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This is coming out on the 13th of October 2026.

[Hilda Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has themes of body image, sports, reading and libraries.
Anabeth is a regular 8th grade girl who loves to read, she volunteers at her local library and loves to read the Warrior Princess Series. Her neighbor and once friend, Serena is quite the opposite. Serena is an active girl who is on a mission to make the High School Volleyball Varsity Team. What her classmates don't know, is that Serena is getting pressured by her mom to be the best at Volleyball no matter what. Serena's mom also has a negative view on body image and constantly makes sure Serena doesn't over eat. She also made sure Serena stopped reading those Warrior Princess Series books. However, the summer before High School Anabeth shows up against her will to join the Volleyball Summer camp. And Serena signs up to volunteer at the local Library. When these two girls invade each other's worlds, you can image how well that goes. This story was a wonderful friendship story and one that reminds both kids and parents to be empathetic and to also adopt a positive relationship with body image. I will be purchasing this book for my daughter, once it is published.

[Ashley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a review by my 9-year old daughter:

The main character is Annabeth. The story is about how she plays volleyball and there is a group of girls who don’t like her and make fun of her and say she’s bad at sports. Annabeth doesn’t have many friends at first, but she is surprisingly really good at volleyball.

The pictures helped me understand what was going on in the story. My favorite characters were Annabeth and Serena because they are complete opposites, but they become friends in the end. I didn’t like the mean girls who made fun of Annabeth. I was really happy when they were friends again. The most exciting part was when she surprised all the coaches and girls at volleyball camp with how good she was.

The lesson of the story is that it doesn’t matter what other people think about your body or about you. I would recommend this book to young people who don’t feel good about themselves.

Thank you to Audrey Meeker, Macmillan Children's, and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Lindsay Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey Meeker captures the real ups and downs of the summer transition between middle school and high school with warmth and honesty. The characters' emotional depth comes through right away: Annabeth's self-doubt, Serena's frustration, and the push-and-pull between them feel so real and relatable. The artwork brightens every panel, highlighting each character's energy and emotion.

My nine-year-old read this after me and loved it, too. It sparked a thoughtful talk about friendship, pressure, and how parents sometimes struggle to see what kids truly want. That connection sealed it for me. This story is special not only for its heart and honesty, but for the meaningful dialogues it opens up between parents and kids.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's / Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Zaidee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meeker does a solid job of expressing the impact of body shame and bullying, in contrast to encouragement and communication. I can't help but feel like a companion to this story might be nice, to see how Annabeth's ex-bestie Serena continues to handle her own tough situation. I appreciated that this story did not gloss over the fact that adults can be the ones making mistakes and being hurtful sometimes. I think it's important for the younger audience to see examples of how the behavior of others, whether parent or peer, can impact our own. Annabeth's determination is also great to see, and I think she strikes a good balance of vocalizing her frustrations but also giving things a shot.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the digital ARC!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who works with students this age, it really rings true of the things I observe every year. Girls who are struggling with their identities in various ways- who their friends are, how they feel in their bodies, if they play sports, how their parents push them, what is cool to like or not, and on and on… Meeker does an incredible job of capturing how these two different, but ultimately similar girls, are dealing with the transitions life is throwing at them. And not to forget the art, Davidson shows these perfect, momentary expressions where each girl’s inner thoughts pass on her face- and it is those moments that prove why graphic novels and visual literacy are having their absolute peak right now.

[Abby Aguilera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.

I really enjoyed this story and the illustrations! Middle readers are my favorite age range for graphic novels, I think they have such a unique position in literacy to communicate social issues to kids. This one was no different, it explores body image, mean girl attitudes, friendship (and strained friendship), and getting outside of your comfort zone. I really appreciated too that we see that the grownup ISN'T always right and what it takes for the main characters to discover that.

I was given the opportunity to read this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Samantha Sunderman-Drakeford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Audrey Meeker, Feiwel and Friends, and NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to preview Last One Picked in exchange for my sincere review.

This book was truly a heart book for me. I can relate to how both main characters were feeling as they navigated trying to find their own path in the world! Teenagers have to deal with so much already, on top of outside pressures telling them to look a certain way.

I will definitely recommend this book to anybody who needs courage to be brave! I will be buying this for my own school library collection.

[Allyson Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this new Graphic Novel in exchange for an honest review!

My kids love graphic novels so I was very excited to receive an ARC for this upcoming juvenile graphic novel, "Last One Picked" by Audrey Meeker. I not only learned a lot about volleyball (I am not a sports girly) but felt the emotional depth of the main character's struggles that summer before high school! I am excited for my own pre-teens to read this one, as I feel they will relate well to the struggles and triumphs of Serena and Annabeth.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

Last One Picked is a middle grade graphic novel about Annabeth and Serena, two rising freshman who are competing as library volunteers and during volleyball camp and team tryouts. The girls are neighbors that used to be friends but are no longer friendly. The book includes body image issues, mean girls, mean moms, and bullying. Both girls show growth by the end. If you’ve ever been the last one picked for a team sport, I think you will find this story relatable.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute but powerful graphic novel. Young people will definitely relate to Annabeth. I saw my childhood self in her as well. The book brings up many important themes such as self confidence, self worth, & weight. The positive messages were conveyed without being too preachy. The characters were well-written and relatable. The dialog felt real as well. The art was cute and conveyed the emotions. Hopefully this will go into middle school libraries and can touch lives! I definitely recommend this book!

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annabeth is a bookworm. All she wants to do for her summer vacation is read and volunteer at the library. When her mom signs her up for Volleyball camp, she has to face her three biggest fears: athletics, her body image, and her ex best friend, Serena. With the support of friendly upper classmates and great coaches, Annabeth discovers that she kinda enjoys volleyball and might even have some talent with it. But her new skills bring even more negative attention from Serena. Will they ever be able to make amends? Can they both learn to be comfortable and confident with who they really are?

[Abbey's Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had a quiet and emotional tone that slowly drew me in. I appreciated the focus on complicated relationships and the way the story explored grief and second chances. The pacing was a little slow at times, but it allowed the characters space to grow. I did not always connect deeply with everyone, yet their struggles still felt realistic. There were a few predictable moments, but the emotional payoff worked for me. Overall, it was a thoughtful and heartfelt read.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork matched the tone of the story. That's hard to do in a graphic novel. This had many relatable topics for preteens: body image, friendship, bullying, sports, trying to fit in. It was a fast read, and I can see students gravitating towards this book. I highly recommend adding it to a school library collection.

[Brenda (jadore_2read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Last One Picked by Audrey Meeker
🏐 💨
Once in a while, I’ll see myself in a children’s book. I was never the athletic child. I did love to play baseball and basketball with the kids in my neighborhood. But never for the school. My parents worked full time and we were limited with transportation. Honestly, I just don’t think it was in the cards for me. But reading about a child like me and seeing her win in the end is something special ✨
🏐 out October 13, 2026🏐
Overall, a relatable and heartfelt graphic novel. Thank you, @netgalley for the opportunity to read this in advance. 💕🫶🏻🏐
“Annabeth has the perfect plan for the summer after eighth grade: volunteering at her local library and lounging at home re-reading her favorite books ever, the Warrior Princess series. But when her mom decides to sign her up for volleyball camp - worse, the same volleyball camp her ex-best friend Serena is going to - those plans go out the window. Annabeth is immediately out of her depth, with no experience, no friends, and no kneepads, and the volleyball girls are all tall, athletic, and extroverted . . . unlike her. Then Serena shows up at the library as a new volunteer, and everything goes from bad to worse.”

[Haruka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!!! I love the ending that Annabeth found confident and enjoy beng in a team and Serena stand up for herself and has learned that attitude towards others will have consequences. Sometimes you just have to lose but you’ll win something else~
.
.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advance~

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved this story about loving yourself and the body you have and volleyball too. Two former friends, still neighbors end up both at volleyball camp/tryouts and volunteering at the library where they hope to meet their favorite author. Things get complicated but it all works out for the best.

[nita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was short, but effective. A lot of people, no matter what age, can learn from this book. We have two completely different girls who learn to change their view on themselves and their environment to be able to be better. A super sweet book!

4/5 stars!

Thank you, NetGalley! For the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Robin Augustine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read with such an important message. Loved the character’s and how they supported each other when it mattered and how it showed adults aren’t always right. Thanks to #NetGalley for the advanced ebook copy.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Netgalley. This was a solid graphic novel that tackles confidence, body image, and parental pressure. I believe many of my students would enjoy this or be able to relate.