Mary's Reviews > Mixed-Up

Fifth grade is about to begin, and best friends Emiko, Latasha, and Stella are excited for everything the new school year has in store. Additionally, their favorite show Witchlins is about to make a big announcement, and the girls are anxiously awaiting the news. Unfortunately, Stella finds herself struggling in school from the very beginning, falling further behind with each new assignment. Add to that the fact that the new Witchlins game requires reading a guidebook to uncover the secrets to success, and Stella is even more overwhelmed. Luckily, attentive teachers and supportive parents are able to get to the root of Stella’s difficulties, and they are able to make a plan that will help reconnect Stella to both her schoolwork and her friendships.

This thoughtful graphic novel is a love letter to anyone who has ever been diagnosed with dyslexia. Constructed using appropriate font and design to support anyone with dyslexia themselves, this book has something of a meta element in that it is a book about a character with dyslexia and designed for readers with dyslexia. There is no stigma about having difficulty reading, and middle grade readers of all brain abilities will appreciate observing as Stella discovers both her limitations and her strengths. Sadly, while not every child will receive the same level of support as Stella does, this book helps to identify a specific learning struggle that may help some readers see and be seen.

The illustrations and design of this book make it straightforward and accessible, especially as visually obvious asides from Stella pepper the otherwise dialogue-heavy narrative. Additionally, images of characters in silence are included to bring focus to the emotions being felt by each featured character. Managing learning difficulties is challenging at the best of times, and the interactions among the characters in this book are both realistic and familiar to young readers. Whether this book serves as a window or a mirror, it is a generally engaging story about friendship and self-discovery through the lens of a dyslexic protagonist. It is an important addition to library graphic novel collections for middle grade readers.