Stella is a fifth grader who is very invested in the television show Witchlins and watches it with her friends. Emiko is a skateboarder, and Latasha is an avid reader whose mother is the school librarian. The three are very excited that there is an online Witchlins game, but when Stella starts playing it, she realizes that it's necessary to consult the gaming manual, which is tremendously dense. She's having enough problems doing all of the reading for her classes, and often finds that she is finishing last, or not finishing at all. Her teacher, Mrs. Marin, is very nice, and does support her. Stella is also wary of the Young Authors project for which Mrs. Marin has assigned all of the students a story to write. Stella can't think of any ideas, although she is constantly doodling and drawing comics. Eventually, there's a meeting with Ms. Lopez, who assesses Stella and determines that she has dyslexia. Stella now works with Mrs. Wukitch, a reading specialist, to get extra help. Mrs. Marin has suggested that Stella do a graphic novel for her story, and Stella spends her lunch time in the library working on this because she is trying to avoid her friends. Without reading the manual, she's not as far in the game, and is behind her friends. She thinks that reading has ruined to show and fandom for her, but she won't tell Emiko and Latasha what's wrong. After Stella wins the Young Authors competition with her graphic novel loosely based on Witchlins and starring her friends, she comes clean and tells Emiko and Latasha about her struggles and dyslexia diagnosis. There are resource lists at the end of the book, and a note from Ms. Garcia about her own daughter's struggles with this condition.
Strengths: Like Gerber's Focused (which deals with ADHD), Mixed-Up offers a realistic look at how a students might struggle with dyslexia, be diagnosed through school, and find helpful techniques from working with support staff. This is important not only for readers who have similar experiences, but for readers who might have friends who are struggling. The importance that Witchlins plays in Stella's friendship is interesting to see; friends struggle for many different reasons, and changing interests are certainly at the top of the list. This is also on trend with the idea that one's friends should be kept in the loop about one's struggles. I definitely liked that the teachers and staff at school, as well as the parents, were very supportive, as this offers comforting reassurance to students. I have always kept a pack of yellow guide strips for students who need them, and appreciated that the book was lettered in a dyslexia friendly font, just like the Barrington Stoke books!
Weaknesses: Mrs. Burk, the "mean" old lady librarian in her glasses and cardigan should not have said that graphic novels are not "real" books, but Stella's problems with reading are why I am often concerned when students won't pick up anything BUT graphic novels. This is often an indication that they need more practice and support, and I do gently suggest that in addition to graphic novels, students might want to try different types of books and work on building their reading stamina. Also, while it is nice that Mrs. Jackson lets Stella work in the library during lunch, this is another red flag. If a student wants to avoid the lunch room for more than a day or two, I ask if there is an issue that they need the school counselors' help with. I am not trained to deal with friend drama once it has escalated to the level of avoiding the lunch room.
What I really think: I will forever get this confused with Fantaskey's Wires Crossed , since both are graphic novels written by authors who have done paranormal YA titles! This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Cooke's Puzzled, Sattin's Buzzing, or Todd's Timid. Interestingly, around the time I read this, Bondia's comic strip, Crabgrass, has one of the main characters, Kevin, also diagnosed with dyslexia!

https://www.gocomics.com/crabgrass/2024/09/04

If I could give "Mixed-Up" by Kami Garcia ten stars, I would!

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jennifer Holm, this middle grade graphic novel is honest, realistic, and incredibly heart-felt. The author's personal experience with dyslexia and neurodivergence will only make this story more appealing to middle grade readers and graphic novel fans alike. The main character, Stella, faces many challenges throughout the story, but ultimately learns that everyone's magic works a little differently. I thought it was particularly touching when Stella entered her 5th grade "Young Authors Competition" with a graphic novel, instead of a traditional story like everyone else. Another wonderful touch is the use of a dyslexic font to make the book more accessible to readers who will identify with Stella and her journey.

I know that so many of my students/readers will see themselves and their journey represented in these pages, and I can't wait to see the impact this story will have on them! This book also gives readers who haven't faced these challenges a realistic glimpse into what many of their peers experience. This is a must-purchase for upper elementary and middle school libraries and classrooms.

Thank you to Netgalley and First Second books for the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a touching graphic novel for young readers about the experience of living with and being diagnosed with dyslexia. I haven't come across many books about this for kids, especially not in the graphic novel form, so I was so excited to see this. The story is great, great execution, and the font looks like 'dyslexie' (a font specifically designed to be more accessible to people living with dyslexia), or something very similar as the letter shapes are clearly defined and more spaced apart.

I shared the news of this upcoming release with a grandma caring for a grandchild with dyslexia and she was thrilled to hear about the representation and couldn't wait to get the book for her grandson.

Thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think this is a well-written book for elementary age. Students struggling with being different. Dyslexia can be very confusing for children of that age and this book seems to make it a little more approachable and understandable. I like that. It also has a group of kids obsessed with the new game/tv series because we all know that children that age have obsessions just like this so it makes it completely relatable.

Solid middle grade graphic novel that needs to be in school libraries.

Stella is beginning fifth grade and is very excited that her two best friends are in her class AND they were placed in the most popular teacher's classroom. She and her friends look forward to conquering fifth grade year and the release of a new game based on their favorite gaming characters, "The Witchlins." The game is marketed as the best ever and has a large manual to guide players through each level. This becomes a problem for Stella, as the words on the page get mixed up and she cannot keep up with her friends. She ultimately begins making excuses of not liking the game and distances herself from her friends.

Kami Garcia, author, leans on personal experiences with dyslexia and neurodivergence which results in a very real story of issues that affect middle grade students, their achievement in school and their friendships. I hope to see this one on state readers award lists, and will be recommending it to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jennifer Holm.

While I really enjoyed this graphic novel's tackling of dyslexia and it's impact on self-esteem and friendships, I really wish it wasn't explicitly stated that the Stella is in fifth grade. I'll have a difficult time convincing my middle school 6-8th graders to pick this one up because of the age of the protagonist, yet I feel the story itself is quite relevant. However, wonderful artwork and great cover, along with known author Kami Garcia will help me in this struggle.