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Kayla Miller, the  New York Times  bestselling author-illustrator of  Click ,  Camp , Act , Clash , and Crunch and co-author of Besties returns with a new Olive story! Olive is less-than-excited to be spending Spring Break stuck with her dad...will she be able to make the most of her trip, or will everything break apart? Spring Break is full of possibilities…but not for Olive.  This year, Olive is leaving her friends and all of their exciting vacation plans behind to visit her dad at his new apartment in the city. Goober is thrilled to spend a whole week with their father and has a long list of activities for their time together. Olive, on the other hand, still remembers the hurt of their dad moving halfway across the world. She would rather spend time with her friend Bree or scrolling through her new phone to keep up with everything she’s missing back home than catch up with him . As the week winds on, the normally easygoing Olive finds feelings of loneliness and resentment throwing her out of whack. Is there any hope of salvaging the visit—or will Olive’s Spring Break be a Spring Bust ? The New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Kayla Miller returns with another vibrant and emotional story about the power of second chances and how the fear of missing out can lead to missing out on what’s right in front of you. 

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2024

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Kayla Miller

19 books694 followers

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5 stars
872 (45%)
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676 (35%)
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298 (15%)
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60 (3%)
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17 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
Profile Image for Hannah.
60 reviews6 followers
February 10, 2024
Okay, this might seem a bit harsh, but it is my honest opinion.
This book kind of sucks. The plot is too basic and unoriginal. Why is Olive so dumb? Granted, I am certainly not the target audience… but Miller’s books are degrading and getting worse. Also, her phone addiction is just stupid. When someone gets a brand new phone, it is not as if they are glued to it, unless you are Olive. Why didn’t they go over that more in the plot? It is obviously an issue. Not even the illustrations could affect my rating at this point, not saying that they were even as good as the first or second book. This gets a 3 out of 10.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
644 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2024
Willow and her younger brother Goober spend spring break with their dad, who is back from New Zealand where he got a job after he and their mother broke up. Goober is excited but Willow is still hurt that he had moved so far away and gets pouty. Her dad surprises her by giving her a new smart phone, and she becomes glued to it. She feels left out by seeing the camping trip, movie marathons, cheer camp that all of her friends are doing without her. She gets together with a couple of her friends, and tries to give her dad the cold shoulder. They have a few conversations and both feel better. They all go to as comic con with Willow’s friends’ family. Goober wanders off and both Willow and her dad use their knowledge of Goober’s interest to find him. Willow and her dad exchange graphic novels to read as a way of getting to know each other better.
While this certainly seemed realistic, Willow is usually the considerate one in the series. It was a bit jarring seeing her drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ashlyn.
1,763 reviews13 followers
July 4, 2024
Olive needs to give her dad a “break”. He’s trying to remediate the fact that he’s been gone for so long but all she’s focusing on is the fact that she can’t spend spring break with her friends. I liked her character growth throughout this graphic novel. Also, I love Molly and Sofia together! They’re so cute!!
Profile Image for Winona.
77 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2024
so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so great!
Profile Image for Priya.
2,181 reviews76 followers
May 24, 2024
It was great to catch up with Olive after a while! I have loved all the books in this graphic novel series featuring Olive and her friends navigating school and life.

Here Olive is reluctant to spend her school break with her dad who has moved closer to spend time with his family after being away for a long time. Finding it difficult to forgive him for leaving, she's surprised that her brother is so enthusiastic. Then there is all the fun she's missing with her friends back home and seeing only on social media on her new smartphone.

As always, the topic here is handled well and the art is so colourful and vibrant.
Profile Image for Eleanor Hand.
11 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2025
This was good but there is a gay person in it. i don't recommand it for age under 8
Profile Image for Annie Ryan.
813 reviews
April 6, 2024
Kayla Miller’s graphic novels are perfect for middle grade readers. In Break, Olive spends her spring break mending the relationship between her and her dad, while adjusting to missing out on time with her friends and using social media on her new phone. There are real-life situations in this graphic novel that real-life kids can connect with. My students are going to be excited for this new book for sure!
Profile Image for  Brittny's Book Talk.
174 reviews674 followers
June 8, 2024
This was my favorite book in the Click series so far!

This book stirred so many emotions up in me for being a middle school graphic! Having family issues, I have often felt the same way as Olive. Can't forgive for what you did, but also not wanting to give another chance. And I think that is just the fear of replaying the before incident, but you will never know unless you let someone in again like Olive did for her dad!

The heart her dad had for his kids is so stinking cute. It ripped him apart thinking about being gone for so long, but now he will do anything in his power to make it right. And the way he wanted Olive around, but didn't make it forced was the sweetest thing 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for lorelei vogel.
20 reviews
January 19, 2024
hi im back.

anyway this was fine. it didn't really live up to the rest of the series in that it felt very shallow. maybe that's because her friends weren't there? i don't know. the thing i do know is that olive was borderline insufferable the whole book. i just couldn't stand the way she acted toward her dad, who was very clearly a good man. i get she learns a lesson, but still. not great.
Profile Image for elsie edelson.
20 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2024
I thought this was a great addition to the series, especially because the author introduces a character readers have been wondering about for a long time.

Overall, it was a really amazing book and I hope I can continue to read about Olive more!
Profile Image for Eliott.
672 reviews
June 5, 2024
Break
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ .5 (3.5/5) or 7.42/10 overall

Characters - 8

Atmosphere - 8

Writing - 7

Plot - 7

Intrigue - 8

Logic - 7

Enjoyment - 7
Profile Image for Crystal books_inthewild.
567 reviews14 followers
January 21, 2024
This was a great continuation of the series, and I really liked how the characters all were showing their unique families, passions, activities, etc.
I liked how the main character works through her struggles with her dad, her friends, and her time spent on social media.

I think my only critique, is I’m not the biggest fan of how the faces of the characters are illustrated (the noses especially just throw me off a bit).
Profile Image for Annora.
287 reviews14 followers
May 15, 2024
Being a kid with divorced parents is hard. Especially when you don’t see one of them for all. You’re. in a new place and your unknown family. It’s gonna be ages. it’s gonna be a struggle. And this book portrayed it well. It’s unrealistic to think that kids are always over the moon

So I guess I am saying this book showed how hard it is to be pulled away and in an unknown land.
Profile Image for Emmalee Miller.
102 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2024
i think this is my favorite click installment yet - esp when nat and olive have their sweet friendship moment at the art museum?? AND THE ADDITION OF AUNT MOLLY DATING OLIVE'S GUITAR TEACHER??? i'm obsessed
Profile Image for Ella.
233 reviews3 followers
December 25, 2024
My mother got this for me as a Christmas gift after misreading the author of a book I wanted with the same title, so I figured I might as well read it. Fifth grade me probably would have loved it, for whatever that's worth.
Profile Image for Beth.
135 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2024
I love this series so much
Profile Image for Keshia.
500 reviews11 followers
February 17, 2024
This book was ok. Definitely not my favorite in the series. Like the others, it is a quick read and has great artwork. Just not as exciting of a storyline this time.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
1,871 reviews9 followers
January 24, 2024
I am feeling like Miller can't go wrong with her middle school graphic novels, and this was an excellent addition to the mix. The characters are all there, although the focus shifts to the city and how Olive adjusts to having her absent dad back in her life. I appreciated the whole divorced parents perspective that this book presents, and that it also touches on a very challenging subject which is what happens when kids find themselves actually choosing sides in divorce. Olive is upset with her dad for many things, and the book treats them with sensitivity. Sure, Olive also comes across as a bit bratty at times, and I think that works because it helps to show how reacting the way she does may not be the best for everyone, including herself.

I find this series a bit stronger than the Besties books. Not sure why. Maybe I like Olive better. And great for fans of the previous books or similar Middle School books like the Babysitters Club graphic novels, etc.
Profile Image for Law.
752 reviews8 followers
September 23, 2024
Representation: Black and Asian characters
Trigger warnings: Disappearance of a child
Score: Five out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.

Unfortunately, Break wasn't as strong as Kayla Miller's other instalments in the Click series, like Click. I wanted to read this one for a while and I only picked it up a few days ago. I glanced at the intriguing blurb and headed in with high expectations considering the high ratings, but when I closed the final page, it was okay.

Did I mention the edition I read is a special Australian English edition?

It starts (more like continues) with Olive thinking of plans of what to do during the spring break when she and her brother, Simon, have to go to New Zealand for one week to visit her father who recently moved there. Once there, Olive met some side characters that happened to be there when she arrived, like Bree (this is the second time I've heard of this name) and Natasha, but that begs a few questions. What are they doing here in New Zealand? I thought they were Americans. Have they always been there or did they briefly move to America in previous books like Camp and Clash before moving back? I'm unsure. These minor characters only use a few pages worth of time, with Olive, her brother and father taking most of it. The pacing is enough to keep the storyline going, but I can't say Break has a writing style as it is an illustrated novel, but I can say I appreciated the art.

What I didn't appreciate though, is Olive. Initially, Olive preferred to interact with her friends over her family, going so far as to shout at them, which I found irritating, but she eventually develops her character and grows closer to her family. None of the other characters, like Simon, Bree and Natasha are easy to connect or relate with as their traits do not go beyond the fact they have platonic relationships with Olive. If Break is the final instalment, then the series did not go out well, but if there are future creations in the works, maybe I can like the series more, but for now, I can't recommend Break in its present state. The concluding pages are heartwarming as Olive and Simon return to America where their mother lives, but you can go read any other story instead of this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for zoe h.
28 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2024
Very good, just like the rest of the click books
Profile Image for Gabby.
2,538 reviews26 followers
January 2, 2024
Social media pit!

So I love that it shows how much a phone can suck you in and ruin social time with family. Family's are hard and split families leave a lot of pain on the kids. If you make plans stick to them as your children don't stay small forever amd you can permanently harm them with let downs.
Profile Image for Alix.
163 reviews8 followers
March 7, 2024
A thoughtful piece focusing on divorce, lost of time, reconciliation, and social media presence. It illustrates a story where it shows the rare results of divorce, children having to split their time between two parents; it brings awareness that even though divorce may occur in life, it's just something that happens and it doesn't have to be something a person needs to dwell on.

Aside of the divorce, Olive learns to create a new relationship with her father, who did not keep in touch while he worked abroad in New Zealand and only having made the decision to find a job closer to Olive and Simon (Olive's brother) did he finally try to have some sort of relationship with his children. I love that the author did not try to sugarcoat the reality and try to make Olive feel something that isn’t real. Olive’s constant wants to hang out with her friends or do things on her own really depicts how children her age act and is also a true reaction to someone (Olive's father) who was not there for her physically or emotionally. In a way, it is reasonable for Olive to feel almost uncomfortable/strange/unfamiliar and especially almost anger that she has to "waste" her spring break hanging out with someone who suddenly wanted to be part of her life again. As a tween where social life means the whole world to them and having to miss out on activities that she could have been doing with friends, it is understandable that Olive wanted to have nothing to do with her father.

Even then, I love that the author also narrated that at the end of the day, yes, the acknowledgement is there that Olive's father didn't make the wisest decision (almost goes to show that even adults can make poor decisions), but also it is only up to the person to forgive and let you back into their life. I also love that Olive's father gave Olive the space she needs, the time to herself, and did not force any kind of relationship onto Olive just because he is her father. I know that even parents today think that they can just get their children's love and trust when it is actually something that is earned, through years of dedication and care.

Not only did this book shine light on reconciliation and forgiveness, but taught children that sometimes things just happen in life and a lot of times for two people to come back together, a lot of time has passed in between. It's definitely time that cannot be made up, but rather treasure each other now that you have the time again.

Social media was also something that I really want to point out. At Olive's age where having a social life matters so much (to her), it is important for them to know that not everything they see online is what it seems. For example, Nat (Olive's nemesis) posted a picture of herself in a cafe and almost seems like she's having the time of her life, but when Olive asked to hang out as soon as she saw the picture, Olive saw that she wasn't actually in some trip with her mom but at a small getaway with her father with visiting the museum as part of the agenda. Nat was disappointed that she didn't get to spend time with her mother (who had a planned spa trip with Nat but she last minute bailed out on Nat) and while Olive and Nat spent the time together, Nat's father was on phone calls after phone calls nonstop the entire time.

Although the story did not display phone addictions, the story did show Olive constantly looking at her phone to see what her friends were doing and feeling sad that she was "missing out". When you look at other people's lives, you end up missing out on your own life. You miss out on a lot of things that happen around you when you constantly put your nose into a device and/or stay in your own little world. It's important that we also make use of our own time by making memories instead of watching others make memories.
Profile Image for Michael.
985 reviews22 followers
May 17, 2024
Some good and some bad. Good story, good theme of dealing with her attitude with her dad. Very helpful guide for kids about posting stuff on social media. The issues that olive was having were all addressed: being negative, zoning out on social media and the phone, not living in the moment, whining, etc.

I am so tired of lgbt content thrown into every kids story. Kids don't need sexual content in their stories first off - of any kind. Why there is such a push to normalize sexual content at all is disturbing - and if anyone questions it, they are "hateful". And no, it's not "representing other people groups" because kids books are being flooded with this while other groups ranging from child molesters and animal fornicators to celibacy aren't included... so? You can live however you choose to live, and you deserve your rights absolutely. HOWEVER, that doesn't include forcing views into a kids story. Accepting others lifestyle isn't the same as agreeing with it, and the fact that its pushed into stories where it literally adds nothing to the story but only seems a a distraction is frustrating. So the mom and dad are divorced, ok. Then the aunt is in a lesbian relationship, once again, fine. Then it has to be brought to the forefront because...? No reason other than to include lgbt content.

It's not "representing a demographic" because first off its in everything now, so its over-representation. Second, because it's a sexual orientation, and one that changes over the span of a person's life. Anyone in the story could be straight or gay or anything else, but the moment they decide to have it as an expressed relationship, and lgbt are the only ones who have a healthy relationship in most of the stories whereas the straight people usually don't, you have not only made a statement but also made it inherently sexual. In so doing you've made commitments about what sort of content is kid appropriate as well as what sort of relationships are ok. Once again, you are free to your opinions, but so am I free to mine. I'm not going to write a child's story and include common practices from other parts of the world, such as fornicating with donkeys in certain areas of the middle east or having relations with little boys as has been common is certain middle eastern parts of the world. Why? Because I don't want to include a demographic? No, because it's not appropriate and even if it was, it's immoral. Assuming we don't agree on morality or the source of morality, we can still agree about what is appropriate and what is not.

Whenever you complain about this stuff, people say the same stuff about how you aren't being "tolerant" and how the issue is with you, but ignoring a parents concerns while slapping a presumptuous title on them is anti-intellectual and doesn't actually answer the issue - just tries to make you feel bad for noticing the issue.

But honestly, it's not that big of a part of this story. It's just that it's in SO MANY new shows and books for kids. The issue is the lack of critical thinking, even if you agree with that lifestyle. Conclusions were formed with zero analysis of science, facts, or religion, and that was deemed as more intelligent because it was the general consensus. If you agree with this, your fine, if you don't, your opinion completely doesn't matter. It's like the complete opposite extreme of what happened 100 years ago between "Christians" and homosexuals. Regardless, I will be branded as a hateful person by people who have never met me, all because I don't want sexual content of any kind in my children's books and shows. Life is more than sex and sex identity, but you wouldn't know it from looking around.
Profile Image for Delilah.
3 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2024
📖Break By Kayla Miller Review 📖
This book was great!! I would totally recommend this book for ages 8-12 (Middle School, and younger).

⭐Olive and Goober are going to their father's house for spring break, therefore, all of their friends are doing something special like vacation, hanging out with friends. Their father moved back from New Zealand, for a job he took after the divorce. Olive wants to hang out with her friends over the break. Her father gives her a new smartphone, and she becomes glued to it. Olive is also upset with her dad, for a lots of different reasons. She starts with hanging out with her friend that lives far away from her mother's house, so she gets to see her with less of a drive at her dad's house. They start with taking a selfie for (Snapograph) her social media app. Goober has so many ideas for what to do, and she isn't sure about them, because she wants to be with her friends. She also calls Nat, to hang out with. Nat was not nice to her in other books, so she wasn't so nice to her either. She goes to the museum with Nat. At the end of the book they talk a little bit about (Snapograph) social media.⭐

💖In my opinion, this book is SO good!! I really enjoyed reading this and seeing the great pictures!! My favourite part, was when she got to see her friend again! The facial expression was so good!💖

📱During this book l also noticed, that her phone was a big part of the book. She uses (Snapograph) a social media app to see what her friends are up to. At the end, the author explains that less screen time is better, and to be careful on all social media. She also explains don't tell any personal information about yourself (Address, Real Name, ect.).📱

🎨In Kayla's books l always enjoy the illustrations. At the end, she explains how she draws the characters, and it's so cool to see. I love how when l look at the pictures, l can get clues for the next part of the book. The words explain a lot too, but l see a lot through the pictures.🎨

😊I was also very amazed, that Kayla did this book almost on her own. She had someone to colour, (Jess Lome), and someone to do the lettering (Lor Prescott), but she wrote the book and illustrated it on her own.😊

🥇This book was amazing!! I totally recommend it!!🥇
-𝓓𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓱
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,353 reviews184 followers
January 11, 2026
Olive and her brother are going to spend the school break with their father who just recently moved back to the US from New Zealand. Olive gets a new phone from her father and mother, and being able to better connect with friends just makes her feel like she’s missing out on more fun things. She has all these feelings about how her father left them and moved to New Zealand, and she isn’t sure what to do with them but push him away now that he’s back. She’d much rather spend time with Bree or even Nat than him. But will that help her heal?

Olive gets some unexpectedly great advice from an unexpected source in this book, but it does help her to get on the path to healing and moving forward in her relationship with her father. It just takes a while to get there, so it isn’t necessarily a fun read, but it may help some kids who themselves are dealing with feelings of abandonment or like they are missing out. I like that the book had some solid advice and warnings for tweens and teens in the back of the book about phone use safety too. Readers who like contemporary fiction graphic novels will gobble this one up.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: I can’t remember Olive’s full ethnicity, it doesn’t come up in this book. Her friend Bree and Bree’s family are Black American. Other friends come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
LGBTQ+ content: Olive’s aunt has a girlfriend (which is very subtly revealed in this book…it refers to her as gf and doesn’t spell it out).
Other: Strained parent/child relationship because of separation both between parents and an international move. Olive is dealing with a bit of FOMO as her friends do fun things she wishes she were doing on break.
Profile Image for Ms. Yingling.
3,988 reviews609 followers
January 11, 2024
Public library copy

Olive and Goober have to spend their week of spring break with their father, who has recently moved back from New Zealand, where he took a job after the parent's divorce. Goober is thrilled, but Olive would rather spend time with her friends, who are doing cool things like having week long movie marathons or going to a sleep away cheer camp. One bright spot of staying at the father's small apartment is that Olive gets a smart phone, and she is constantly GLUED to it, checking Snapogram for news of what her friends are doing, and face timing them. She is angry with her father for having left them, and isn't happy to do all of the things that Goober wants to do, even though she isn't willing to suggest anything herself. She is glad to be able to meet with some friends who live closer to her father's side of town, but is so eager to escape that she even contacts Nat and spends the day at the museum with her and her father. Nat's parents are also divorced, and the two bond a bit over this shared experience. In the end, Olive and her father talk, and try to have a better relationship. At the end of the book, there is more of a discussion of social media.

The amount of time Olive spends on her phone is probably realistic, but she is on it ALL the time. My children were only allowed a half hour a day on screens, but now my students say that they spend about eight hours a day on screens when not in school, and 3-4 when there is school. This is appalling, and I wish that there had been more discussion about how the phone was further alienating Olive from her family. My students love this series, and this reflects their reality, so they will love it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews

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