Mixed-Up

by Kami Garcia, Brittney Williams (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

A story of friendship, learning and new beginnings, Mixed-Up follows one girl's hardships in school, and the tight-knit group of classmates that help her along the way. This is perfect for readers of Dan Santat and Terri Libenson.

New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia has returned with a middle grade graphic novel about the struggles of a game-loving girl who gets diagnosed with dyslexia and her loving support network that help her along in the journey.

Stella knows fifth grade will be the best year ever. Her closest friends, Emiko and Latasha, are in her class and they all got the teacher they wanted. Then their favorite television show, Witchlins, announces a new guidebook and an online game!

But when the classwork starts piling up, Stella struggles to stay on top. Why does it take her so long to read? And how can she keep up with friends in the Witchlins game if she can’t get through the text-heavy guidebook? It takes loving teachers and her family to recognize that Stella has a learning difference, and after a dyslexia diagnosis she gets the support and tools she needs to succeed.

Bestselling author Kami Garcia was inspired to write this special book by her daughter’s dyslexia journey; her own neurodivergent experience; and the many students she taught over the years. With subtle design and formatting choices making this story accessible to all readers, Mixed-Up shows that our differences don’t need to separate us.

Mixed-Up has been lettered in Dyslexie to make reading as comfortable as possible for dyslexic readers.

Praise:

“A cozy blanket for those of us with learning differences. I wish I'd had this book when I was growing up with dyscalculia." — Hope Larson, New York Times bestselling & Eisner-winning cartoonist

“Carefully and gently discusses the frustrations and struggles...and handles it beautifully with empathy and compassion.” —Dan Santat, National Book Award winner

“[I love] the pacing, the length...the easter eggs, the magic, and Brittney Williams’ art.”—Kwame Alexander, Emmy Award-winning producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250142337
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	01/21/2025
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.65(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kami Garcia is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and international bestselling author and comic book writer, and an award-winning young adult novelist. Her best-known works include Beautiful Creatures, Unbreakable, and Teen Titans: Raven. Kami was a teacher and reading specialist for seventeen years before co-writing her first novel. Kami lives in Maryland with her family and their dogs, Spike and Oz.

Brittney Williams is a storyboard and comic book artist who draws A LOT. In 2012 she interned at Walt Disney Animation Studios as a storyboard artist. Since then, she's worked for a variety of animation studios and publishers including DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks TV, BOOM! Studios and Marvel Comics. As a two time GLAAD award nominee, she exists to create things for kids and the queer community.

Editorial Reviews

"A perfect book for younger readers who are fans of graphic novels like Smile, Allergic, and Four Eyes." — Booklist, starred review

"An uplifting, sympathetic portrayal of dyslexia and friendship." —Kirkus

"While this must-read title will be especially affirming for those with dyslexia or who struggle in school, all young ­readers will find aspects of themselves within ­Stella’s world, and perhaps be inspired to ask for help when needed." —School Library Journal

“Mixed-Up is sweet, fun, and important—a cozy blanket for those of us with learning differences. I wish I'd had this book when I was growing up with dyscalculia." — Hope Larson, New York Times bestselling & Eisner-winning cartoonist of A Wrinkle in Time and All Summer Long

“Mixed-Up carefully and gently discusses the frustrations and struggles of a child living with dyslexia and handles it beautifully with empathy and compassion. This is a must read book.” —Dan Santat, National Book Award winner and bestelling author and illustrator of A First Time for Everything

“Here’s what I love about this middle grade graphic novel: The pacing, the length—just perfect—the easter eggs, the magic, and Brittney Williams’ art. Kami Garcia has written a very beautiful story about dyslexia, with a very important message about courage.”—Kwame Alexander, Emmy Award-winning producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Crossover and The Door of No Return.

From the Publisher

2024-10-25
A young dyslexic girl struggles with reading.

Stella Martinez can’t wait to start fifth grade. She and her BFFs, Latasha and Emiko, even get to sit together in Miss Marin’s class. But to Stella’s dismay, school soon feels like “one big reading class.” Even math, one of her favorite subjects besides art, has word problems, and the fifth grade project is a Young Authors Competition. Textbooks have longer words and fewer pictures, making comprehension time-consuming, and Stella falls behind. Even the new online universe for Stella and her friends’ favorite show,Witchlins, requires a guidebook, which Stella has trouble following. As her BFFs and classmates discuss the game, Stella feels left out. Will reading ruin her friendships? Garcia, who based Stella’s story on her daughter’s journey of coming to terms with dyslexia and her own experiences with neurodivergence, introduces a multifaceted protagonist with a learning disability and encouragingly highlights various coping strategies. Adults are warmly supportive, barring a dour, gray-haired, light-skinned librarian whose misconception that graphic novels aren’t “real” books is emphatically dispelled. In keeping with Miss Marin’s affirmation that “all brains work differently,” the book’s clear lettering, decodable text, and expressive art invite readers of all abilities to root for Stella. Stella and her dad and sibling are brown-skinned and cued Latine; Mom is pale-skinned. Latasha presents Black, Emiko is of East Asian descent, and Miss Marin has light-brown skin.

An uplifting, sympathetic portrayal of dyslexia and friendship. (resources, cover design process)(Graphic fiction. 8-11)

Kirkus Reviews