PIZZA FACE

PIZZA FACE by Rex Ogle and Dave Valeza.

Middle grade years can be super difficult without the joy of dealing with acne, but introduce acne into the picture, and as Rex finds out, it takes everything to a new level. Peers can be ruthless, and dare I mention the dislike the person feels every time they look in the mirror at themself? (Does anyone remember those days?) Authors Rex Ogle and Dave Valeza take us right back into the halls of middle school and all the comments that come along with it in their graphic novel Pizza Face. While this is a graphic novel lots of kids can relate to as they go through body changes, there are a couple of items to be aware of.

HEADS UP- The book lightly references other changes that happen to the body.

 Rex has an angsty friend who has a string of girlfriends that don't know about each other. This comes back to bite him in the end. This friend also looks like he is a smoker, but when he offers a cigarette to Rex you find out that they are just candy. As Rex finds out the boy's true nature, their friendship comes to an end.

Rex has an ongoing struggle with his mom. The family is very poor, so she refuses to buy him acne medication and deodorant to help ease the merciless bullying he is dealing with at school. SPOILER ALERT His grandmother steps in and helps out.