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Absent
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26From award-winning author Rex Ogle, a mixed-format middle grade novel about three boys who skip school, told in verse, prose, and comics.
With a dad in jail and a lack of teachers interested in helping him learn, Manny doesn’t see the point in anything besides skateboarding and writing lyrics. Calvin has so many responsibilities to his father and little brothers that when his bike is stolen, he can’t make it to school on time. And while Liam is studious and wants to become a doctor, he is tormented by bullies and hides out in an unused janitor’s closet instead of going to class. When the boys are thrown together in detention, they realize that they might still have a lot to learn—not just from their teachers, but from each other.
Absent tells the boys’ stories in three distinct Manny’s in verse, Calvin’s as a comic, and Liam’s as a prose journal. Printz Award Honoree and YALSA Nonfiction Award winner Rex Ogle explores school absenteeism in a compelling, entertaining, and utterly distinct novel.
With a dad in jail and a lack of teachers interested in helping him learn, Manny doesn’t see the point in anything besides skateboarding and writing lyrics. Calvin has so many responsibilities to his father and little brothers that when his bike is stolen, he can’t make it to school on time. And while Liam is studious and wants to become a doctor, he is tormented by bullies and hides out in an unused janitor’s closet instead of going to class. When the boys are thrown together in detention, they realize that they might still have a lot to learn—not just from their teachers, but from each other.
Absent tells the boys’ stories in three distinct Manny’s in verse, Calvin’s as a comic, and Liam’s as a prose journal. Printz Award Honoree and YALSA Nonfiction Award winner Rex Ogle explores school absenteeism in a compelling, entertaining, and utterly distinct novel.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Rex Ogle
70 books626 followersHoly moly! I am so humbled and honored for y'all to read my books. Big hugs to all of ya.
Also, check out graphic novels under my pen name REY TERCIERO.
Bio:
REX OGLE is an award-winning author and the writer of nearly a hundred children’s books, comics, graphic novels, and memoirs—most notably Free Lunch, which won the ALA/YALSA award for Excellence in Non-Fiction.
Born and raised (mostly) in Texas, he moved to New York City after college to intern at Marvel Comics before moving over to DC Comics, Scholastic, and Little Brown Young Readers. As an editor, he championed over a dozen NY Times Bestsellers and worked on (and often wrote) major brands such as X-Men, Justice League, Star Wars, LEGO, Power Rangers, Transformers, Minecraft, Assassin’s Creed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Neil Patrick Harris’s Magic Misfits.
Rex has written under a lot of pen names, including Trey King, Honest Lee, and Rey Terciero (a nickname given by his Abuela, being Español for “third king”, which is apt since Rex is Latin for “king”, and he is the third “Rex” in his family).
Now, Rex lives in Los Angeles where he writes in his spare time—that is, when he’s not outdoors hiking with his dog Toby, playing MarioKart with friends, or reading.
Also, check out graphic novels under my pen name REY TERCIERO.
Bio:
REX OGLE is an award-winning author and the writer of nearly a hundred children’s books, comics, graphic novels, and memoirs—most notably Free Lunch, which won the ALA/YALSA award for Excellence in Non-Fiction.
Born and raised (mostly) in Texas, he moved to New York City after college to intern at Marvel Comics before moving over to DC Comics, Scholastic, and Little Brown Young Readers. As an editor, he championed over a dozen NY Times Bestsellers and worked on (and often wrote) major brands such as X-Men, Justice League, Star Wars, LEGO, Power Rangers, Transformers, Minecraft, Assassin’s Creed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Neil Patrick Harris’s Magic Misfits.
Rex has written under a lot of pen names, including Trey King, Honest Lee, and Rey Terciero (a nickname given by his Abuela, being Español for “third king”, which is apt since Rex is Latin for “king”, and he is the third “Rex” in his family).
Now, Rex lives in Los Angeles where he writes in his spare time—that is, when he’s not outdoors hiking with his dog Toby, playing MarioKart with friends, or reading.
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June 23, 2026Author and artist, Rex Ogle, brings the topic of school asenteeism to light using verse, prose, and comics. He does it in such a way that the reader can really get to know each character by how the character communicates their thoughts down on paper. Rex Ogle is a master at bringing the hard topics to life for readers to get to know and understand and see things from a different point of view.
This would be a great read aloud in a middle school classroom. Teacher would be able to have discussions in a safe setting for students to be able to ask questions. Maybe they could coime up with other solutions to help the characters (and maybe their peers) get to school on time. There are many reasons why students don't come to school or are always late when they do. Many of the reasons are out of the students' control too which make it very frustrating for all involved.
A must-read for all and a must-have if you have a Rex Ogle collection or not!!
#RexOgle #Absent #NewRelease #Prose #Verse #Comics #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #PublicLibraries #PublicLibrarians #ReadABook #ReadThisBook #Books #Read #MGReads #MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #UpperElemReads #Edelweiss #Goodreads
This would be a great read aloud in a middle school classroom. Teacher would be able to have discussions in a safe setting for students to be able to ask questions. Maybe they could coime up with other solutions to help the characters (and maybe their peers) get to school on time. There are many reasons why students don't come to school or are always late when they do. Many of the reasons are out of the students' control too which make it very frustrating for all involved.
A must-read for all and a must-have if you have a Rex Ogle collection or not!!
#RexOgle #Absent #NewRelease #Prose #Verse #Comics #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #PublicLibraries #PublicLibrarians #ReadABook #ReadThisBook #Books #Read #MGReads #MGBooks #MGLit #KidLit #UpperElemReads #Edelweiss #Goodreads
June 11, 2026
Manny, Calvin, and Liam are stuck in detention together. On the surface, they appear different, but they realize that they have things in common. I think this is a great book for middle school readers and I could envision my students reading this one. I like that each character has their own thing throughout the book so you can tell who is writing: Manny has poetry, Calvin has art, and Liam journals.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Things are tough in Iron Hill, and we meet three students who all have problems that many middle schoolers have. Manny doesn't see much of a point to school; he would rather spend his time writing rap lyrics and skateboarding, since he sees his grandparents, who immigrated from Mexico, working hard for little reward, and knows that his father struggled to put food on the table after Manny's mother left, and is now in prison for stealing. Calvin loves to draw, but has little time for this since he has to get his two younger brothers up, dressed, and delivered to school across town, since his single father has to work. He is constantly late, which gets him in trouble with principal Ms. Cho. Liam is a good student, but is bedeviled by Grady, who constantly threatens his with real, physical violence, to the extent that Liam takes refuge in Dana Funkhouser's library, and spends several entire days in a back storage room. All three eventually end up with a three week after school detention stint for truancy, which doesn't make them think school is any more appealing. They do talk to each other, eventually, and find ways to help them see a bit more value in school. Manny is glad to have a new language arts teacher, Ms. Patel, who tells him that he is talented and cares about him, even showing up at the skate park on the weekend to talk to him after he storms out of class when he doesn't want to read his poem out loud. He also fights with his grandparents when they opine that he is really very fortunate. Calvin has a fight with his father after he is forbidden to draw, since it takes attention away from his brothers, and Manny and Liam encourage him to keep up with his art. Liam tries to talk to his father and stepmother, but knows that his father's salary as the custodian at his school won't run to mental health therapy, even though the panic attacks he has are debilitating. Luckily, Ms. Funkhouser is supportive, and even saves him from Grady's abuse and makes sure that Grady is brought to justice. It's impossible for the boys to change their circumstances alone, but when they talk to each other and let other people help, some issues can be resolved.
Strengths: I very much appreciate that Ogle asked teachers what their number one problem at school is; I am not surprised that it is absenteeism. Can't say I have seen any books on the subject. The format is also clever, with Manny's chapters written in verse, Calvin's in a graphic novel format, and Liam's in prose on graph paper. The problems the boys face are realistic, and hard for middle school students to navigate. The fights with families are something that, again, I don't see portrayed as much in fiction. They are MUCH more interesting (and common) than children dealing with grief, although there is a little bit of that as well. While three weeks of after school detention doesn't seem like it would be an effective punishment, it does give the boys a chance to bond and to eventually improve their lots a bit.
Weaknesses: I know that Ogle speaks from his own experience, but he doesn't seem to understand how modern schools work. There are very strict protocols, for many reasons, and Ms. Funkhouser could have improved Liam's life a whole lot sooner if she had immediately informed a school counselor when she knew that Grady was bullying Liam. How can we expect students to "see something, say something" if TEACHERS aren't following the same rule? For a 27 year old, Ms. Funkhouser had some odd cultural references, and she was the modern stereotype of a librarian; tattooed and pierced with brightly colored hair. I can't imagine the trouble I would be in if I let a student play hooky in the library, so I questioned her training and professionalism. We need to know where students are at all times! It also was very risky for Ms. Patel to talk to Manny outside of school.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like Ogle's work or books like Sonnenblick's The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade or Korman's The Fort. I will probably purchase a copy, although the last thing I intend to do is to hand it to students who are chronically truant. If they pick it up from a display, that's fine!
Also, this is going to motivate me to start the year with some serious talks about attendance with my advisory group. My school has some good resources, so I want to make sure that if my students are having difficulties making it to school, these issues are addressed. Last year, I did make sure that each student had current contact information on file; this is essential in case a child takes ill or has an accident during the day!
Things are tough in Iron Hill, and we meet three students who all have problems that many middle schoolers have. Manny doesn't see much of a point to school; he would rather spend his time writing rap lyrics and skateboarding, since he sees his grandparents, who immigrated from Mexico, working hard for little reward, and knows that his father struggled to put food on the table after Manny's mother left, and is now in prison for stealing. Calvin loves to draw, but has little time for this since he has to get his two younger brothers up, dressed, and delivered to school across town, since his single father has to work. He is constantly late, which gets him in trouble with principal Ms. Cho. Liam is a good student, but is bedeviled by Grady, who constantly threatens his with real, physical violence, to the extent that Liam takes refuge in Dana Funkhouser's library, and spends several entire days in a back storage room. All three eventually end up with a three week after school detention stint for truancy, which doesn't make them think school is any more appealing. They do talk to each other, eventually, and find ways to help them see a bit more value in school. Manny is glad to have a new language arts teacher, Ms. Patel, who tells him that he is talented and cares about him, even showing up at the skate park on the weekend to talk to him after he storms out of class when he doesn't want to read his poem out loud. He also fights with his grandparents when they opine that he is really very fortunate. Calvin has a fight with his father after he is forbidden to draw, since it takes attention away from his brothers, and Manny and Liam encourage him to keep up with his art. Liam tries to talk to his father and stepmother, but knows that his father's salary as the custodian at his school won't run to mental health therapy, even though the panic attacks he has are debilitating. Luckily, Ms. Funkhouser is supportive, and even saves him from Grady's abuse and makes sure that Grady is brought to justice. It's impossible for the boys to change their circumstances alone, but when they talk to each other and let other people help, some issues can be resolved.
Strengths: I very much appreciate that Ogle asked teachers what their number one problem at school is; I am not surprised that it is absenteeism. Can't say I have seen any books on the subject. The format is also clever, with Manny's chapters written in verse, Calvin's in a graphic novel format, and Liam's in prose on graph paper. The problems the boys face are realistic, and hard for middle school students to navigate. The fights with families are something that, again, I don't see portrayed as much in fiction. They are MUCH more interesting (and common) than children dealing with grief, although there is a little bit of that as well. While three weeks of after school detention doesn't seem like it would be an effective punishment, it does give the boys a chance to bond and to eventually improve their lots a bit.
Weaknesses: I know that Ogle speaks from his own experience, but he doesn't seem to understand how modern schools work. There are very strict protocols, for many reasons, and Ms. Funkhouser could have improved Liam's life a whole lot sooner if she had immediately informed a school counselor when she knew that Grady was bullying Liam. How can we expect students to "see something, say something" if TEACHERS aren't following the same rule? For a 27 year old, Ms. Funkhouser had some odd cultural references, and she was the modern stereotype of a librarian; tattooed and pierced with brightly colored hair. I can't imagine the trouble I would be in if I let a student play hooky in the library, so I questioned her training and professionalism. We need to know where students are at all times! It also was very risky for Ms. Patel to talk to Manny outside of school.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like Ogle's work or books like Sonnenblick's The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade or Korman's The Fort. I will probably purchase a copy, although the last thing I intend to do is to hand it to students who are chronically truant. If they pick it up from a display, that's fine!
Also, this is going to motivate me to start the year with some serious talks about attendance with my advisory group. My school has some good resources, so I want to make sure that if my students are having difficulties making it to school, these issues are addressed. Last year, I did make sure that each student had current contact information on file; this is essential in case a child takes ill or has an accident during the day!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Manny, Calvin, and Liam are going to be unforgettable for anyone who reads it. As an adult reader, I won't soon forget them but for a teen reader, they are likely their friends or even themselves that they'll see when they read. The beauty of the book? The creativity that Ogle uses to share the story-- three voices with three ways to tell their story: Manny's through verse because he's a poet/lyricist, Calvin's through comics because he's a creator, and Liam's through narrative because he's a studious kid caught up in a serious bullying situation. Either way-- all three of these boys are missing a lot of school. And they end up meeting one another in detention- the more stereotypical kind of detention but slowly come to understand each other.
I will be writing a full blog post about the impact that this book will have. I'm already envisioning ordering tons of copies. I want to read it with teachers. And it solidifies that Ogle needs to visit our school. It's visibility for an invisible issue though I would argue that more attention is being paid especially post-COVID to chronic absenteeism.
Ogle knows what readers want and he's giving it to them in an honest way. One that doesn't shortcut or short change the ways that lead kids to miss school from transportation issues to anxiety to not seeing any reason that he should.
I've known for a while that Ogle is a GOAT. No question about it and when he takes a topic like this and creates Absent, it again celebrates his awareness, his understanding, and how he wants to make it accessible. Hats of to Ogle and Baptiste for this REAL story.
I will be writing a full blog post about the impact that this book will have. I'm already envisioning ordering tons of copies. I want to read it with teachers. And it solidifies that Ogle needs to visit our school. It's visibility for an invisible issue though I would argue that more attention is being paid especially post-COVID to chronic absenteeism.
Ogle knows what readers want and he's giving it to them in an honest way. One that doesn't shortcut or short change the ways that lead kids to miss school from transportation issues to anxiety to not seeing any reason that he should.
I've known for a while that Ogle is a GOAT. No question about it and when he takes a topic like this and creates Absent, it again celebrates his awareness, his understanding, and how he wants to make it accessible. Hats of to Ogle and Baptiste for this REAL story.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Three boys skipping school. Three stories no one bothered to hear.
😶🌫️
Three middle school boys, Manny, Calvin, and Liam, each have different reasons for avoiding school, from family struggles and bullying to feeling unsupported in the classroom. When detention brings them together, they begin to realize they’re not alone in what they’re carrying. Told through verse, prose, and comics, this upper middle grade mixed media title explores school absenteeism, friendship, and the challenges kids face beyond the classroom walls.
🪑
This reminded me so much of Jason Reynolds’ work. It’s impactful, emotional, and deeply human. I teared up multiple times. I appreciated how the book allows boys to be vulnerable, sensitive, scared, and hurting without judgment. Each story puts a real face to the absenteeism statistics we hear about in education and humanizes the reasons kids disengage from school. And the librarian who steps in to save a student from assault? Absolute superhero. This is the kind of middle grade novel that opens hearts as much as minds. Grab it for your middle & high schoolers who love illustrated novels & graphic novels when it releases September 1!
CW: bullying, poverty, homelessness, anxiety, panic attacks (on page), incarceration, parental abandonment
😶🌫️
Three middle school boys, Manny, Calvin, and Liam, each have different reasons for avoiding school, from family struggles and bullying to feeling unsupported in the classroom. When detention brings them together, they begin to realize they’re not alone in what they’re carrying. Told through verse, prose, and comics, this upper middle grade mixed media title explores school absenteeism, friendship, and the challenges kids face beyond the classroom walls.
🪑
This reminded me so much of Jason Reynolds’ work. It’s impactful, emotional, and deeply human. I teared up multiple times. I appreciated how the book allows boys to be vulnerable, sensitive, scared, and hurting without judgment. Each story puts a real face to the absenteeism statistics we hear about in education and humanizes the reasons kids disengage from school. And the librarian who steps in to save a student from assault? Absolute superhero. This is the kind of middle grade novel that opens hearts as much as minds. Grab it for your middle & high schoolers who love illustrated novels & graphic novels when it releases September 1!
CW: bullying, poverty, homelessness, anxiety, panic attacks (on page), incarceration, parental abandonment
June 1, 2026
Thank you Edelweiss for the digital arc!
three boys.three boys. three impossible situations. one detention. 📚😤
manny: dad in jail. teachers who gave up on him. skating and lyrics are the only things that make sense. 🛹🎵
calvin: holding his whole family together. bike stolen. can't get to school on time. doing everything RIGHT and still losing. 😶
liam: wants to be a doctor. brilliant. hiding in a janitor's closet to escape bullies. 💔
the system failed all three of them differently.
detention threw them together anyway. 🤝
turns out the most important lessons
aren't coming from any classroom. 💛
found brotherhood in the most unexpected place. 📚🔥
Another homerun by one of my favorites. Told via prose, Novel in Verse and comics, this story grabbed me right from the start and didn't let me go. All kids are going to love this story, a story of three boys, all in detention for one reason or another, believing that no one "sees" them. I saw each of them. Their vulnerability was written all over the pages through words and pictures. Absenteeism is a large part of students' struggle throughout MS and HS, something that is addressed in this story. And Rex, THANK YOU for showing their librarian in a positive light. With everything we as librarians are going through in Texas, this librarian was a ROCK STAR. There are so many of us like her and it was heartwarming to see that represented in the story. I cannot wait to order 10 copies of this for my HS library! Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC.
three boys.three boys. three impossible situations. one detention. 📚😤
manny: dad in jail. teachers who gave up on him. skating and lyrics are the only things that make sense. 🛹🎵
calvin: holding his whole family together. bike stolen. can't get to school on time. doing everything RIGHT and still losing. 😶
liam: wants to be a doctor. brilliant. hiding in a janitor's closet to escape bullies. 💔
the system failed all three of them differently.
detention threw them together anyway. 🤝
turns out the most important lessons
aren't coming from any classroom. 💛
found brotherhood in the most unexpected place. 📚🔥
Another homerun by one of my favorites. Told via prose, Novel in Verse and comics, this story grabbed me right from the start and didn't let me go. All kids are going to love this story, a story of three boys, all in detention for one reason or another, believing that no one "sees" them. I saw each of them. Their vulnerability was written all over the pages through words and pictures. Absenteeism is a large part of students' struggle throughout MS and HS, something that is addressed in this story. And Rex, THANK YOU for showing their librarian in a positive light. With everything we as librarians are going through in Texas, this librarian was a ROCK STAR. There are so many of us like her and it was heartwarming to see that represented in the story. I cannot wait to order 10 copies of this for my HS library! Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to Edelweiss and Norton Young Readers for allowing me to read a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
3 boys, each missing school for very different reasons.
• Manny feels that the teachers do not understand or care about him, so he prefers to spend his time skateboarding or writing lyrics.
• Calvin’s father, who is a single parent, depends on him to take his younger brothers to school each morning. However, after Calvin’s bike is stolen, getting to school on time becomes a challenge.
• Liam wants to be in class, but to avoid his bully, he hides in a closet at the back of the library.
3 different formats:
• Manny’s story is told in verse.
• Calvin’s story is told through comics.
• Liam’s story is shared in journal entries.
They face 3 weeks of after-school detention, which serves as their punishment for skipping classes and also marks the beginning of their understanding that they are not alone in their struggles.
It’s important to mention Ms. Funkhouser, the librarian. We all benefit from having a librarian like her in our lives!
I plan to purchase several copies of this book for my high school library.
CW: bullying, poverty, anxiety, panic attacks, parental abandonment, incarcerated parent.
3 boys, each missing school for very different reasons.
• Manny feels that the teachers do not understand or care about him, so he prefers to spend his time skateboarding or writing lyrics.
• Calvin’s father, who is a single parent, depends on him to take his younger brothers to school each morning. However, after Calvin’s bike is stolen, getting to school on time becomes a challenge.
• Liam wants to be in class, but to avoid his bully, he hides in a closet at the back of the library.
3 different formats:
• Manny’s story is told in verse.
• Calvin’s story is told through comics.
• Liam’s story is shared in journal entries.
They face 3 weeks of after-school detention, which serves as their punishment for skipping classes and also marks the beginning of their understanding that they are not alone in their struggles.
It’s important to mention Ms. Funkhouser, the librarian. We all benefit from having a librarian like her in our lives!
I plan to purchase several copies of this book for my high school library.
CW: bullying, poverty, anxiety, panic attacks, parental abandonment, incarcerated parent.
June 21, 2026
Review of advance copy received by NetGalley.
“Absent” is the story of the unlikely intersection of the lives of 3 middle school boys. Each boy is facing a challenge that is invisible to most of the adults around them. Through these challenges, Ogle grapples with absentee parents, grandparents raising children, mental health challenges, bullying, anger, fear, and the misunderstandings with the adults in their lives. It’s a lot to tackle, but I believe it will boost empathy in readers and make a lot of students feel seen. Each boy’s perspective is told in a different way, through verse, graphics, and prose, so it is easy to keep track of their voices.
As a teacher it reminded me of times I have been helpless to solve underlying issues our students face, but Ogle uses teachers and librarians in the story to really make a difference and I appreciated that. Even if we can’t fix everything, we can absolutely do all that we can to help.
While this cover and the tone of the book is attractive and would appeal to 8-12, I could not get away with having it in a lower elementary library because of the language. I’d say 5th grade and up, and in Tennessee maybe 6th grade to be safe. Absenteeism is a HUGE issue and Ogle handles it with care.
“Absent” is the story of the unlikely intersection of the lives of 3 middle school boys. Each boy is facing a challenge that is invisible to most of the adults around them. Through these challenges, Ogle grapples with absentee parents, grandparents raising children, mental health challenges, bullying, anger, fear, and the misunderstandings with the adults in their lives. It’s a lot to tackle, but I believe it will boost empathy in readers and make a lot of students feel seen. Each boy’s perspective is told in a different way, through verse, graphics, and prose, so it is easy to keep track of their voices.
As a teacher it reminded me of times I have been helpless to solve underlying issues our students face, but Ogle uses teachers and librarians in the story to really make a difference and I appreciated that. Even if we can’t fix everything, we can absolutely do all that we can to help.
While this cover and the tone of the book is attractive and would appeal to 8-12, I could not get away with having it in a lower elementary library because of the language. I’d say 5th grade and up, and in Tennessee maybe 6th grade to be safe. Absenteeism is a HUGE issue and Ogle handles it with care.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Absent" by Rex Ogle is a story written from the points of view of 3 different middle school boys. The boys find themselves in detention for various reasons, and they strike up an unlikely friendship. The kids are also all dealing with their own personal problems at home and at school.
I like how I got to know each of the three boys, and I enjoyed that each perspective was written in a different format (lyrics, graphics/comics, and prose). There are so many good lessons included in the book that are perfect for middle schoolers.
I did have a really hard time with the foul language that was used throughout the book. I understand that some middle school students speak this way, as do their parents, but I would not feel comfortable having this book in my classroom as it is written. If it were edited to exclude the f-word, GD, and using acronyms like AF and WTF, I would give this book a much higher rating. I am not one to censor books, but I think this book would reach its target audience and convey the same message without the curse words.
Overall, this was a well written story that had a lot of difficult lessons for the boys to learn.
I like how I got to know each of the three boys, and I enjoyed that each perspective was written in a different format (lyrics, graphics/comics, and prose). There are so many good lessons included in the book that are perfect for middle schoolers.
I did have a really hard time with the foul language that was used throughout the book. I understand that some middle school students speak this way, as do their parents, but I would not feel comfortable having this book in my classroom as it is written. If it were edited to exclude the f-word, GD, and using acronyms like AF and WTF, I would give this book a much higher rating. I am not one to censor books, but I think this book would reach its target audience and convey the same message without the curse words.
Overall, this was a well written story that had a lot of difficult lessons for the boys to learn.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rex Ogle, with each publication, proves that he is one of the most important writers for both young adult and adult readers working today.
Within the first 30 pages of Absent, I knew that it was a book that I would be recommending not only to students, but also to my educator colleagues. The stories of Manny, Calvin, and Liam are all too familiar- students with circumstances making it difficult for them to attend school, for one reason or another, and being held responsible by the system in place without regard to their individual needs. And not because the educators are cold or uncaring (thank you, Rex, for a librarian who is awesome and not stodgy!) but more because they cannot do a lot about something they don’t know anything about. And of course, there is more nuance than that- but you will have to trust me when I say that it is important that you read it and find out what keeps each boy showing up at all and how detention might turn out to be the best worst thing to happen to them.
Within the first 30 pages of Absent, I knew that it was a book that I would be recommending not only to students, but also to my educator colleagues. The stories of Manny, Calvin, and Liam are all too familiar- students with circumstances making it difficult for them to attend school, for one reason or another, and being held responsible by the system in place without regard to their individual needs. And not because the educators are cold or uncaring (thank you, Rex, for a librarian who is awesome and not stodgy!) but more because they cannot do a lot about something they don’t know anything about. And of course, there is more nuance than that- but you will have to trust me when I say that it is important that you read it and find out what keeps each boy showing up at all and how detention might turn out to be the best worst thing to happen to them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rex Ogle was my "it" author of 2025; I crashed through nine of his works last year in prose and graphic novel formats, autobiographical and fictional, original and adaptations. While this middle school book doesn't hit with the same power, it's a solid look at the stresses felt by young adolescents and how friendship and communication can help lighten that load.
Three boys sent to detention for skipping classes alternate narrating -- one in prose, one in verse, and one with comic book pages -- about the anger, bullying, and home responsibilities that brought them here. And over the course of two weeks, while they don't go full Breakfast Club, they do form bonds with each other while working through their individual problems.
It might be a little too pat and tidy in the end, but I felt the format and sympathetic characters made for a quick and enjoyable read even as it juggles some heavy topics.
Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.
Three boys sent to detention for skipping classes alternate narrating -- one in prose, one in verse, and one with comic book pages -- about the anger, bullying, and home responsibilities that brought them here. And over the course of two weeks, while they don't go full Breakfast Club, they do form bonds with each other while working through their individual problems.
It might be a little too pat and tidy in the end, but I felt the format and sympathetic characters made for a quick and enjoyable read even as it juggles some heavy topics.
Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, what a fantastic book about three boys: Manny who loves writing song lyrics, Calvin who loves to draw comics, and Liam who wants to be a doctor. All three end up in detention for either missing class(Manny is bored ) being late all the time (Calvin has to get his younger brothers fed and off to school) or Liam, hiding from a bully. In time, they start passing notes when the detention monitor falls asleep. They begin learning about each other, and Manny saves Liam from being bullied. Calvin wants to enter an art contest but dad says no, but Calvin still enters it. Liam becomes friends with the librarian and finds out it’s panic attacks he’s having. Manny is encouraged by his teacher to keep writing his poetry because she sees potential in him. In the end, the three seem happier to go to school.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
E-ARC provided by NetGalley. Rex Ogle combines verse, graphic novel, and first person narrative to bring three preteen boys to life on the page. Recommended for kids who love Jerry Craft's New Kid and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and especially kids with incarcerated parents or other difficulties of poverty.
When each boy is given detention for skipping class, they slowly learn that they aren't that different, and that they can make school a better and safer place if they take the time to care about each other. Each boy also has to find the courage to talk to the adults in their lives that are still around and who want to help- a teacher who sees how smart, yet unmotivated Manny is; a dad, who needs to be reminded that Calvin is still a kid even though Dad relies on him for so much; and a librarian, who provides a safe space and the right words to help Liam get the protection from a bully and the treatment he needs for panic disorder.
When each boy is given detention for skipping class, they slowly learn that they aren't that different, and that they can make school a better and safer place if they take the time to care about each other. Each boy also has to find the courage to talk to the adults in their lives that are still around and who want to help- a teacher who sees how smart, yet unmotivated Manny is; a dad, who needs to be reminded that Calvin is still a kid even though Dad relies on him for so much; and a librarian, who provides a safe space and the right words to help Liam get the protection from a bully and the treatment he needs for panic disorder.
June 25, 2026
Absent tells the interwoven stories of three middle school boys facing life challenges that most of the adults in their lives can’t see. Manny is living with his grandparents while his father is incarcerated and doesn’t see the point of showing up at school anymore when he’d rather be skating. Calvin is constantly late for school because he’s taking care of his siblings after his mom left. Liam is adjusting to a new family dynamic at home with his dad’s new relationship and facing relentless bullying from another kid at school.
Through a combination of verse, comics, and journal entries, the boys’ stories combine to depict the challenges kids all across the country are facing every day. I think this is a must-read for anyone working with students in any capacity. This story will resonate well with many young readers, whether as a mirror of their own experiences or a window into the challenges their peers are facing.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC copy via NetGalley.
Through a combination of verse, comics, and journal entries, the boys’ stories combine to depict the challenges kids all across the country are facing every day. I think this is a must-read for anyone working with students in any capacity. This story will resonate well with many young readers, whether as a mirror of their own experiences or a window into the challenges their peers are facing.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC copy via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book.
I really enjoyed this book. I think it's great to shine a light on why kids from different circumstances might be having trouble showing up to school. It was also super interesting to have the three different story formats for the three different kids, which helped to make the 3 characters feel distinct from each other. I love that it deals with real world problems and feels distinctly relatable to middle grade audiences, especially with male characters, since we all know it's harder to get teenage boys to read a book. I especially related to Liam's struggles with anxiety and how as a 12 year old you feel powerless and like you can't put a name to what you're feeling. I also had no clue that I had an anxiety disorder at that age and why I was feeling that way or how to explain it to my parents, so I loved this depiction, it felt so real. I really enjoy Ogle's work and am happy to have more middle grade offerings from him.
I really enjoyed this book. I think it's great to shine a light on why kids from different circumstances might be having trouble showing up to school. It was also super interesting to have the three different story formats for the three different kids, which helped to make the 3 characters feel distinct from each other. I love that it deals with real world problems and feels distinctly relatable to middle grade audiences, especially with male characters, since we all know it's harder to get teenage boys to read a book. I especially related to Liam's struggles with anxiety and how as a 12 year old you feel powerless and like you can't put a name to what you're feeling. I also had no clue that I had an anxiety disorder at that age and why I was feeling that way or how to explain it to my parents, so I loved this depiction, it felt so real. I really enjoy Ogle's work and am happy to have more middle grade offerings from him.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Absentisism is a chronic problem in our schools. Each of the three boys in this story have their own reasons for missing school or being tardy. As a result they all end up in detention together. As different as their stories are, they find out that they have a lot in common. Each character has their own thing throughout the book, Manny has poetry, Calvin has art, and Liam has journals- each has a story to tell. I hope middle school readers will see this book as a window book, a sliding glass door and a mirror. It brings so much truth to middle school life. The one constant that filled my heart was the quirky librarian who became the one trusting adult that so many of our students are seeking out.
Themes: Poverty, Incarceration, Abandonment, Bullies, Panic Attacks, Friends, and Family
Themes: Poverty, Incarceration, Abandonment, Bullies, Panic Attacks, Friends, and Family
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of digital advance copy received by NetGalley.
Rex Ogle is so masterful at addressing tough issues and how they affect young kids with empathy and creativity. Reading this made me tear up about how much I miss working in schools, especially in a school library. This is a really interesting story that follows three boys who each narrate using different formats (verse, comics, journal entries), and I think that's a really creative tool to show how student absenteeism impacts students of all walks of life for different reasons. Really well done, was already planning on buying for my collection before reading the ARC, but this just solidified Ogle will always have a place in my library.
Rex Ogle is so masterful at addressing tough issues and how they affect young kids with empathy and creativity. Reading this made me tear up about how much I miss working in schools, especially in a school library. This is a really interesting story that follows three boys who each narrate using different formats (verse, comics, journal entries), and I think that's a really creative tool to show how student absenteeism impacts students of all walks of life for different reasons. Really well done, was already planning on buying for my collection before reading the ARC, but this just solidified Ogle will always have a place in my library.
June 25, 2026
The truth is, I don't know what to think of this book. Some of the characters were funny and interesting. I hated Manny's Spanish with his "no sabo," because I don't think that was the intention. As a Mexican, I found the Spanish awful, with many poorly translated words. For example, Manny wanted to say that the teacher was tired/exhausted and used the word "agotado" (masculine). In other paragraphs, the author wanted to say that the character was very angry and used the expression "loco enojado," which nobody uses.
The part of the book that is a graphic novel is good (a third of the book). The illustrations are great. I really liked the style.
The part of the book that is a graphic novel is good (a third of the book). The illustrations are great. I really liked the style.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This Rex Ogle book felt forced, maybe bc it wasn’t really his story he was sharing like his other books. I did enjoy the alternating characters voices and the writing style each one had. Working in a school I feel like someone would have “seen” these kids or have heard something and would have stepped up to help them. 3 wks detention for being absent while a consequence doesn’t ring true to what students receive IRL and parents would have had to be notified. Thank you R.O. for taking on a topic that teachers mentioned. I appreciate you seeing and hearing those of us working in education.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is a book that we've needed for middle schoolers for years. It shines a light on why kids are absent, and it isn't always just to skip class. I can think of so many students that will love this book and it will hit with such a variety of readers. My Wimpy-Kid/Crossover/New Kid readers now have a book that they will all like.
June 26, 2026
Thank you to Norton Young Readers for the ARC! Always excited to read a Rex Ogle book, and this was not the exception! Loved the three different formats, perfect for all readers. Such a great story, follows three middle schoolers that miss classes for different reasons. Being sent to detention brings them together. I can’t wait to share it with my students this fall!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
I loved the format of this story, told in a distinct way for each of the characters who end up serving detention together. Not only is it a great choice for middle grade readers, but school teachers and administrators should read it as well.
I loved the format of this story, told in a distinct way for each of the characters who end up serving detention together. Not only is it a great choice for middle grade readers, but school teachers and administrators should read it as well.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Rex Ogle does it again! This book is a masterpiece, truly.
Those kids who never find a book they like because of how "boring" it is to read chapter after chapter will be turning pages like crazy with this mix of comic book/novel in verse/regular prose.
Heartbreaking, real, a true winner!
Those kids who never find a book they like because of how "boring" it is to read chapter after chapter will be turning pages like crazy with this mix of comic book/novel in verse/regular prose.
Heartbreaking, real, a true winner!
Review of advance copy received from Publishers Weekly
An innovative mutli-viewpoint mixed-media novel uses rap lyrics, comics, and prose to tell the stories of three boys struggling with chronic absenteeism for various reasons.
Engaging and important.
Engaging and important.
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