Turning Twelve

Growing Pangs #2

by Kathryn Ormsbee, Molly Brooks

Turning twelve means big changes for Katie--first bra, first time babysitting, and a first crush that she knows not everyone will approve of, From the creators of the acclaimed graphic novel Growing Pangs, comes another pitch-perfect coming-of-age graphic novel, set in the same beloved universe.

What if a friend...is more than a friend?

Katie can't wait to turn twelve--pool parties! babysitting! friends! But sometimes it feels like there's so much new stuff she can barely keep up. First Job? (Yes!) Unfair dress codes? (No way!) Make up (Okay?!) Shaving? (Uh…!) Maybe growing up isn't as much fun as she had expected. But one thing does seem right--her new friend, Grace. Could Katie have a crush on another girl? Katie knows not everyone around her will approve...which is kind of scary. She might not be ready to tell anyone yet, and that’s fine...but can Katie stay true to herself and embrace the person she's growing up to be?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, LGBT, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Mental Health, Fiction

235 pages, Unknown Binding

First published October 29, 2024

About the author

Kathryn Ormsbee is the author of contemporary novels for children and young adults, including Growing Pangs, Candidly Cline, and Tash Hearts Tolstoy.

Her books have been critically acclaimed, translated into eight languages, selected for the Indie Next List and Junior Library Guild, and made “best of” lists at NPR, Amazon, Kirkus, and the Chicago and New York Public Libraries. She lives with her wife in Texas.

Reviews

[Kristi Hovington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good follow up to Growing Pangs, a popular graphic novel in my library, about a girl who is homeschooled in a religious environment. In this installment, katie questions some of the teachings of her church, partly due to her realization that her first crush is on another girl. This series is based on the author’s life.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fantastic graphic novel about a young girl, 12-year-old Katie, discovering she's queer, inspired by both the author's and illustrator's experiences. It's such a sweet and relatable first-crush story. Katie's best friends are temporarily moving away to be near their grandmother, who is ill. That leaves Katie, who is homeschooled, on her own. Thankfully, she has theater to distract her. While she doesn't get the lead role in Annie like she hoped, she does land the part of an orphan, as does new girl Grace, who makes Katie's heart beat hard. Meanwhile, Katie has definitely missed her friends at a church retreat, where the church leaders teach them about "purity" and how same-sex crushes are a sin. I related too much to that last bit. :( Katie also has OCD and anxiety, but a therapist helps her manage her buzzing thoughts.

It takes place in the 1990s, which I thought was a little odd because it could easily have been revised to today, but I still really enjoyed it. I actually have not read Growing Pangs, the first book in the series, but it didn't seem to matter! I'll have to go back and read it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, that's it, I'm obsessed!
Turning Twelve is the follow-up novel to Growing Pangs, where readers were introduced to Katie, a middle school girl who finds herself growing apart from her best friend and experiencing more anxiety. In Turning Twelve, Katie is more confident in her friendships and herself. She sees a therapist for her anxiety and OCD. She's trying out for a play during the summer, and watching her friends start to form crushes... And then Katie realizes that she might have a crush on a girl. How does that work, when she goes to church and attends a youth group where she's told that her existence is a temptation for men, and that only men and women can be together (otherwise God cries)?
A perfect, age-appropriate bildungsroman that ends on a happy, hopeful note. Highly recommend.

***Review of a digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). The text of an advance edition may differ slightly from the final market version that is distributed for sale. Received via NetGalley.

[Lisa Pineo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet middle grade graphic novel about being true to yourself, however you feel safe to do so. Katie is twelve and finding it hard to figure out who she really is. She's homeschooled and gets made fun of for it. She goes to youth group and is mad about sexist modesty rules for girls and upset everyone keeps telling her being gay is a sin. She gets a crush on a girl and isn't comfortable telling anyone, but she finds ways to show her affection for her Grace and think about how she'll live when she's older and can make grown up decisions for herself. I also liked that she was still dealing with her anxiety and OCD issues from Growing Pangs and how that affected her daily life. It was cute seeing her with her friends and doing things she loved like musical theater. A great tween book for kids trying to find themselves or just need to feel like someone sees them.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic. There is so much packed into this graphic novel when I start thinking about all the things I loved ..but none of it felt forced of like it was too much. Katie feels just like a WHOLE real person just making her way through life and I love that. I think there are so many things in this that kids would find relatable ..even if it's set in the early 2000s (about 20 years ago). Highly recommend this.

[Patti Sabik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved “Growing Pains” and was happy to see a sequel. Characters are just as great and the story rings so true. Trying to navigate “fitting in” with “being true to yourself” is painful in middle school and seeing the cracks in the world you’re growing up in is terribly confusing. This book offers honesty and reassurance for those who empathize with Katie.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its 90s / early 2000s setting, I think this will resonate with a lot of kids! I did find myself trying to accurately pinpoint the exact year based on clues, but otherwise enjoyable. Glad I didn't feel lost despite having not read book one!

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Growing Pangs, so I was thrilled to see that Kathryn Ormsbee was returning to Katie's universe with "Turning Twelve." I think Turning Twelve will be powerful for certain audiences, but as someone who identifies as non-religious, many of the parts of the book that dealt with the double standards and casual sexism that Katie faced at church as well as the messages of the "evils" of same-sex marriage did not resonate with me. I do not doubt that this story will be so important and so affirming for some of my students, but I don't think it will have the same universal appeal to our library of readers as "Growing Pangs" did. I am so thankful that Random House Children's is publishing middle-grade literature that will push families and communities to have critical conversations around feminism, sexism, and same-sex marriage. It would be easy in the current political climate to shy away from these topics, but it is more important now than it ever has been for quality literature to make its way into the hands of our kids!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Kiley Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this sequel we follow Katie at the end of her sixth grade summer and the start of seventh grade. Set in the early 2000"s we see how Katie handles bullies, friends moving away, her OCD, and getting her period to name a few things. The focus of this novel really is Katie realizing that she might not just have crushes on boys but also on girls. This is very distressing for Katie because she is heavily involved in church life. Her church teaches that queerness is a sin, purity is necessary, and modesty is to be taken seriously. While I cannot personally speak to all the things Katie experiences in this book, I can say the author did an amazing job at conveying what it was like growing up in the purity culture of the 2000's painfully accurately. This graphic novel handles all of these situations with the right balance of seriousness and humor. It pulled at my heart strings for sure. While the book doesn't wrap everything up in a pretty bow (because life doesn't work like that anyway), it ends on a beautifully hopeful note of what the future could hold for Katie.

The author's note at both the beginning and end of the story also do a wonderful job of explaining her experiences and what she hopes the reader will take away from Katie's story.

As an aside, if the reader does not have the experience of being raised in what would be described as a, traditional conservative American christian church environment, they might struggle to connect with some of the content. That is because that particular upbringing is what fosters Katie distress and response of her discovering more about herself.


Thank you Net Galley and Random House Children's for early access in exchange for an honest review.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie has had a really fun summer with her new best friends Ginni and Amalie (sisters who live in her neighborhood), which ends with a pool party to celebrate her 12th birthday. Turning 12 brings some exciting prospects - 7th grade (she is homeschooled but attends a co-op for extracurriculars and certain subjects), a weekly babysitting job, and auditions for a local production of the musical Annie - even as it comes with irritations like learning how to shave and anticipating the start of her period.  In the previous book, Growing Pangs, readers learned that Katie has OCD and has what she termed ‘buzzing thoughts’ that arise when she gets anxious; now she is also experiencing the “Adulthood Alarm” which blares in her head when thinking about the changes her body and her heart are going through.  And even though she is looking forward to so many things in the fall, disappointment comes quickly.  Ginni and Amalie are temporarily moving away to help their grandmother; she doesn’t get the lead in Annie; and the mean girls at her church youth group get meaner.  

Still, Katie puts on a brave face, keeping in touch with her device-free friends as old-fashioned pen pals and embracing her role as an orphan in the play.  Youth group continues to be a problem: without Ginni and Amalie she doesn’t have any real friends there, and she chafes against sexist ideals about dress codes, marriage, and gender roles that are presented as the norm.  She definitely has a much easier time fitting in with her theater friends, especially Grace, who helps Katie with her dance moves.  As rehearsals go on, Katie begins to realize that she has a crush on Grace, even though her religious upbringing tells her it’s wrong.  She is unsure how - or if - to act on these unexpected new feelings, but is emboldened by conversations with her big sister and the mom at her babysitting job, and a church in her neighborhood with a rainbow flag reassures her that not all institutions will exclude her if she follows her heart.  

Turning Twelve picks up several months after Growing Pangs leaves off, and readers who enjoyed that book will be happy to see how well Katie is managing her OCD triggers and moving forward with her new friendships.  The story is told primarily from Katie’s perspective, with her first-person narration in small text boxes, but also character dialog, excerpts from the letters to and from Ginni and Amalie, and instant messages among Katie and her theater friends (including and especially Grace).  Readers will identify with a lot of Katie’s angst about turning twelve, and empathize with her plight of a crush that may not be accepted in her community.  Katie’s poignant realization that her heart thumps for a reason whenever she is around Grace will be obvious to the audience long before Katie understands it; she never reveals her specific feelings to any of the other characters despite asking some leading questions about same-sex relationships and marriage.   The comic book format features varied panel sizes that are easy to follow and full of movement, expression, color, and detail.  As with other realistic fiction graphic novel titles, the format adds levity and accessibility.   Notes from both author and artist share their own experiences with OCD as well as coming out; Katie’s story is loosely based on Kathryn Ormsbee’s own childhood. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Kait W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this follow up to Growing Pangs. It was cute and fun, but also very realistic and didn't offer easy solutions to friends moving away, dealing with religious homophobia while coming to understanding your own sexuality, or realizing sometimes friends turn on you and you never get an explanation why. It felt very true to real life in that people often experience a situation and never get to confront an antagonist or have everything neatly solved, they just move forward with the new knowledge. It's one of the things I like best about this book and the first. It also made reference to being in therapy to get a better handle on OCD symptoms.

This surprisingly was one of the few areas I felt a bit let down. The first book, Growing Pangs, did a phenomenal job of depicting OCD compulsions and the "buzzing thoughts" but it took a major backseat in this one. We're told at the beginning that the thoughts had quieted down some recently but weren't gone, so I did think it made sense we weren't seeing them at first. But when things start becoming difficult we don't really see the resurgence depicted either despite the narrative asserting there is one. We're told "the thoughts are getting loud" and see one instance of a compulsion followed by a mention to the therapist that the thoughts had gotten worse again, but that's pretty much it. It felt very tell, not show this time around.

I loved how we saw the crush develop and the way friends become pen pals and the importance of having community spaces where you feel you can be yourself. I'd definitely enjoy another installment if one ever comes along.

[Julesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many there is so much to navigate and figure out when you are about to turn 12 years old, the gateway to teendom and awkwardness. It’s not different for Katie. First bras, getting your period, fashion, losing and gaining friends, and crushes! Everyone remembers these milestones in their young life. Katie tries to fit in and figure out her place in society with her ongoing activities. She constantly feels like an outsider in her church youth group where she logically concludes that the rules are highly sexist (girls have a dress code but boys do not?) and the preachers/teachers and participants are hypocritical.

Where Katie finally feels right at home is with her theater group where she reconnects with a couple of previous peers. To complicate her feelings, her friends all talk about their crushes with boys. Katie finally develops a mad crush on a theater newcomer – but it’s a girl! She doesn’t know what to do with these feelings. All she knows is that she connected quickly and tightly with Grace and is happy when they are together. Katie feels like she’s starting to find herself. All a part of turning twelve.

I usually shy away from books that have a lgbt theme, not because I am opposed to the idea, but because it’s become a trend and the story is usually not well presented. However, I found this story incredibly sweet. The story is loosely based upon the author’s pre-teen life, just like her previous story in the series. I enjoyed this one much more and hope to see even more charming stories about Katie’s forthcoming maturation.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

[Paige V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie is about to turn 12, and the transition to adulthood is looming. Despite this, she has exciting prospects ahead, like babysitting, making new friends, and perhaps even developing crushes. Most importantly, she's thrilled about the opportunity to star in the play "Annie." With her red hair and acting skills, she felt perfect for the role. However, things didn't go as planned, and she was cast as one of the orphans instead of Annie. During the play, she forms a close bond with a girl named Grace, and she may even develop a crush on her. Through her experiences, Katie will learn about the challenges of growing up and the importance of acceptance.

This graphic novel is a timeless tale of friendship and the journey to adulthood. I have always been drawn to books in this genre, and this one didn't disappoint. Each character was carefully crafted, and the storyline was engaging from start to finish. While the book was enjoyable, it didn't quite reach the level of extraordinary, especially since I've encountered similar plots in other books. Nevertheless, it's a solid choice for those seeking a heartwarming story of friendship and love.
Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚

Pub Date: 10/29/24

Thank you, @netgalley & @rhkidsgraphic, for the complimentary ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie goes to church, she is home schooled, and she loves theater.She is so hoping to be lead in the play Annie, but doesn’t get it. However, she lands the role of one of the orphans, as do the girls she is performing with. There is something so freeing about being part of the theater, something she is not allowed to feel in both church and in the home schooling group she is in.

All her friends keep talking about boys they have crushes on, and Katie can’t join in, because she doesn’ts have these feelings. At least not these feelings for a boy.

The author said she wrote this for all the kids out there who are afraid of what they are feeling, and hide that part of themselves to fit in with the norm. She says she wishes she had had a book like this when she was growing up.

Oh, I know that so well. I also remember all the girls talking about boys they liked, when I, like Katie, had a crush on a girl. You can pretend to be part of the group, but it feels wrong, and that is what Katie feels.

This book does not, of course, solve all the problems of going through puberty and having first crushes, but it does show a way to navigate those waters.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 29th of October 2024.

[Karen Mazzaferri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie is just turning twelve and she realizes that the years between being a kid and an adult or really difficult. There are so many more things to think about such as jobs, friendships, losses of friends, mean girls, church groups etc. she is trying to be her own self but she finds that this comes with the angst of trying to fit it. She also realizes that she has feelings for another girl and going against her church and her feelings are difficult

I picked up this book as an ARC and I began reading it and felt angry at the way Katie was being treated. I also felt that she was so down on herself that it made me sad. I picked it up again, months later, and am glad I did. I enjoyed the painful transition into womanhood and her feelings of what might be expected of her. Her church was awful and she had no one to really talk to about her feelings. Her best friends moved away for a time to take care of their sick grandma and those were her confidants. She begins to realize that she must stay true to herself and not worry about what others think. But any woman going through that age has experienced the same difficult choices. I hope Katie will be the hero of her own story and has the life she deserves

[Ⓛⓐⓘⓝⓔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars

This one was a step up from the last book, this book sees Katie turning 12 and trying to live her authentic self as she gears up for adulthood, we see such things as Katie getting her period, pimples and other things. The story here is a little more in depth from the first book, Katie is still homeschooled & goes to co-op I believe. And still keeps the same friends, although her friends down the street are moving for a few months to take care of their uncle. She also gets to participate in this years local children’s production of Annie (I won’t spoil what role she gets) and she meets a girl named grace. Eventually grace and her become best friends, but as it progresses, we can see Katie start to feel… other feelings for grace…. Romantic ones, like first crush feelings. But the problem is that most people around her say that a man should date a woman (or girl x boy) in her case. She also goes to church and her youth group and is worried about what would happen if they found out. But in the end she stays true to herself and accepts she likes girls.

This has some good queer rep but it’s underdeveloped and we never really know how Katie and grace feel about each other. I wish they would have expanded on that especially since other MG Graphic Novels have more.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MG sequel to Growing Pangs by @kathsby @goodgollyetc
🎂
Katie is so excited for her twelfth birthday pool party, but quickly realizes growing up isn’t all fun and games. One of her friends has to move away for a while, her new babysitting gig is tiring and new year as a seventh grader is looming where Katie will have to deal with crushes, shaving and body changes. And while everyone is crushing on boys, Katie realizes she might have feelings for her new friend, Grace, but is afraid to tell anyone for fear they won’t accept or understand her.
🥳
Honestly time: I haven’t read Growing Pangs yet, but I definitely will now after this graphic novel Katie is such a likable character, as well as relatable. Her OCD issues are ones many kids can connect with. Turning Twelve is our generation’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Read the author notes! This book releases October 29!

CW: homophobia, mental health issues, OCD, anxiety, religious trauma, sexism

Books like these need to exist, but those looking for a more universal graphic novel might find the specific issues Katie struggles with in regards to religion and sexuality specific and niche.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? It’s another stellar “Growing Pangs” book! Katie is such a relatable character and I feel like kids will relate to her struggles, even if they aren’t the same as their own. This is an especially important book for kids who have OCD and/or are LGBTQ. This book is needed and will help so many kids.

Katie is starting seventh grade and it seems like everything is changing. First off, two of her friends are moving away. She’s starting a new babysitting job! Things are changing with her body as well (and, in her opinion, not always for the better). Through all this, she’s still attending homeschool co-op and youth group. And best of all, she’s in a play with the new girl, Grace! Katie is realizing many things about herself in this one. Some things make her question who she is and what she is doing with her life. She’s feeling like OCD is coming back a little stronger, but hoping she’s got the tools to keep the buzzing at bay. All these things are a lot to deal with, but Katie can do it, can’t she?

Wonderfully written and illustrated by own voices, this second turn in the Growing Pangs series is not to be missed!

#OwnVoices #LGBTQ #MentalHealth #OCD

[Jenna Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had this book when I was 12! I very much relate to being the queer kid uncomfortable with growing up, not relating to your peers, not knowing that it’s possible to have crushes on girls, and wondering if everyone around you would turn you away if they found out. Church was unfortunately an environment for me and a lot of queer people and girls where you felt like there’s something wrong with you, where you’re taught to be ashamed of who you are. I was glad to see that Katie was able to find support in her life that allowed her to begin to question these things.
There were so many great lessons and messages in this book. I really liked the part where the mom Katie babysits for tells her “It’s okay to disappoint other people. It’s what you want for your life that matters. Don’t let others squish you into their box.” One of my favorite things though was when Katie talks about how growing up means to her that you get to make decisions for yourself and choose where your life goes. I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently as a young adult and it’s been so comforting when the idea of getting older used to scare me so much.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very different from the first one and brings up issues with conservative religion and family values that are not mentioned in book 1. I think it is a good book to show someone questioning whether the values they have been taught growing up really are the best for them. The main character turns 12 and starts to question her sexuality as she feels attracted to a new female friend. I didn’t like that she didn’t really talk to her mother about her concerns about the conservative church beliefs and there was no resolution on whether she would be allowed to not participate any more in church camp, etc, or if her mom was as open minded as her sister hinted at being. It would have been nice to have the parent component acknowledged one way or another, either mentioning she was supportive or was not.

Illustrations were colorful and expressive except I always feel like using simple dots as eyes is cutting corners and not my favorite style. I think overall kids will like it. My 6th grade daughter rated it a 3 star also. One to get from the library worth the read but not for her shelf.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

In this sequel to Growing Pangs, Katie is dealing with the fact that her two best friends have to go visit a sick relative for a long time, and she has to go to her church group by herself, where she doesn't feel very comfortable. She does have a job babysitting, which is a challenge she enjoys. She also likes going to the local theater group, where she tries out for the lead role in ANNIE. She doesn't get it, but makes friends with Grace. Katie is not a fan of all of the trappings of puberty, especially when talk at church turns rather sexist and judgemental about girls and women, and especially about the "evils" of same sex relationships. Since she starts to recognize that her feelings for Grace are more of a crush, what does this mean?

This is a good choice for readers who like the tween angst in graphic novels like Miller's Curlfriends, Hale's Best Friends, Johnson's Twins, Gros' Jo, or Knisley's Stepping Stones. It's similar to Dee's Star Crossed, but set in the 1990s.

[Seras23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Turning Twelve" is a really good book about starting to figure out who you are, and learning to be comfortable with that. The author and illustrator’s notes are great, outlining which parts of the book reflect their experiences and which are different. It’s a very affirming book even though it deals with religious trauma from growing up in a conservative church and being homeschooled by a conservative co-op. I love that Katie is able to find freedom in theater, and I appreciate the mention of the queer friendly church next to the theater, along with the expression of the fact that there are churches welcoming of queer people, and that in choosing to live authentically to yourself, you do not have to choose between faith in God and being queer. It is okay for both of things to be important aspects of who you are. Katie’s feelings of being safe and free in the gayborhood and how hard it felt to leave it will resonate strongly with people who have had similar experiences. Fans of Raina Telgemeier and other slice of life authors will find much to love here.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Katie is turning twelve, taking on new responsibilities, and dealing with her changing body and interests. When her best friends must leave for a few months to take care of family, Katie makes a new friend and perhaps, more than a friend? I really enjoyed this book. I love the way Katie processes her new feelings and that she finds support with her new friends. The connections between girl friends through literature with Katie and her best friends is a great juxtaposition with what it means to possibly have a girlfriend. This is a pre-teen book and I feel like all the relationships were handled very thoughtfully and appropriately, a great way to help other pre-teens that might been feeling the same confusion. I also really appreciated that although Katie’s family church does not seem to line up with her changing interests, Katie does seem to find another church that does so she does not have to give up her religion to be herself. Lastly, there is wonderful backmatter about the author and illustrator’s experiences which align with Katie, showing us readers that even if kids can’t find the support Katie receives, there is still hope of finding your own community when you are a bit older.

[Molly]

Ok, I did not expect this book to resonate so deeply. I somehow missed Growing Pangs, the first book in this series, but picked up Turning Twelve because I was drawn to the coloring and will read pretty much any MG graphic novel. What I expected to be a fairly basic coming-of-age story tackled queerness and Christianity in the early 2000s in such a needed, meaningful way.

Like Katie, I was homeschooled in 7th grade and was in a community theatre production of Annie. I was also deeply entrenched in late-'90s/early-'00s evangelical purity culture. My jaw literally dropped when Katie and her youth group were told to dress modestly so they wouldn't "be a stumbling block to (their) brothers in Christ." Because damn, if I had a dollar for every time I was told that. Unlike Katie, I did not understand my own queerness until my thirties. I'm so grateful this book exists and I'm so grateful I stumbled upon it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For 12yo Katie, things are changing a lot. She's starting 7th grade, her best friends have just moved away and she's anticipating the things that happen as she grows up, like maturing, and crushes and stuff. She's been cast as an orphan in the community production of Annie. While she wanted the lead, being a supporting part is fun, too, and she makes a new friend: Grace. But this friendship feels different, could Katie have a crush on a girl?

I really like this series. Coming on the heels of Growing Pangs, it's billed as "from the universe of". It can totally stand on it's own. I liked the nods to Baby Sitters Club and hope it can reach that same audience. Besides Katie's struggle liking a girl, there's some church issues going on, a youth group with a mean clique, modesty expectations and the church's stand on same sex attraction. All in all, Ormsbee and Brooks tell a story about being true to oneself. Katie is white, the friends are multi cultural.

[michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is going to be an important book for a lot of kids, if they manage to get their hands on it. Katie is turning 12 and instead of life being fabulous her best friends move away, she has to start wearing a real bra, everyone is talking about crushes, and then there is periods and makeup. But what really starts to confuse Katie is that she is having feelings about a girl. That’s going to be hard enough for some to swallow, but Katie is very conservative and part of a Christian homeschool co-op. All she has ever heard is that it is wrong for her to like a girl. Turning Twelve shows Katie learning to be herself, to find friends who treat her with respect, and to enjoy every day. Growing up is hard, but Turning Twelve helps preteens know that they are not alone in their struggles and that it gets better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy.

[Haylee Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize that this was a sequel until I started reading it, but luckily it gave enough background information about the first book, Growing Pangs, to fill in the blanks! Turning Twelve is a graphic novel about 12 year old Katie who is going through A LOT. She was recently diagnosed with OCD, her best friends are moving away, she gets her first crush on a girl, and her church group/homeschool co-op are telling her that girls are supposed to be modest for boys. Plus a bunch of other normal 12 year old things! I think it’s a pretty realistic portrayal of the anxiety and confusion that comes with being 12, but I wasn’t expecting it to be about a homeschooled Christian. That’s just not something I typically choose to read. I’m glad Katie learns to follow her heart and not always her church’s ideas throughout this book. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

[Amy Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had purchased “Growing Pangs” for the library, but never had the chance to read it, so started this series backwards. Which is totally fine, and only means that now I must go read “Growing Pangs”!
This is such an awesome book for anyone, but especially for those perhaps not understanding all
of the feelings they are having. It is a book about being true to yourself and having the courage to do really hard things.
Katie’s voice is authentic and puts words to feelings that sometimes we all just want to push away.
I know that as a young reader, I did not often read the author notes or acknowledgements, but I encourage everyone read what Kathryn and Molly have to say at the end of “Turning Twelve”. These are the books and authors/illustrators that we need. I will be putting this book into so many readers’ hands!

[Michelle Tuite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading 2024
Book 256: Turning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee and Molly Brooks

Read this book to review it before sending it to my niece who is turning 12 next month, and it is the second in a series. The first book was called Growing Pangs. Bought this book to send on if I liked the book.

Synopsis: Turning twelve means big changes for Katie--first bra, first time babysitting, and a first crush that she knows not everyone will approve of, From the creators of the acclaimed graphic novel Growing Pangs, comes another pitch-perfect coming-of-age graphic novel, set in the same beloved universe.

Review: I really liked this book, a good representation of the feelings middle school kids are having daily. The main character has a lot of her plate trying to deal with puberty and crushes. My rating 4⭐️. Sent on to my niece, can’t wait to hear her review.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turning twelve is a big time of upheaval. Puberty strikes, and the line between childhood and adulthood is unclear. Friendships change, crushes develop, and new experiences tilt your world view. Discovering who you are is the result of countless experiences and choices. Sometimes those choices are easy, other times they are full of fear and heartache.
I love that we have more LGBTQIA books available for young adults. Love is love and no one should feel ashamed. I wish this book ends up on shelves for young readers to find. May they see themselves and learn more about how others might feel.

My thanks to Penguin Random House for sending me a digital ARC to review. I whole heartedly support books that showcase minority youth.