Reviews

Growing Pangs by Kathryn Ormsbee

adriannamoser's review

informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

alisong906's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

gromeranna's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved Katie's story. As someone who was officially diagnosed with OCD as an adult but dealt with buzzing thoughts all my life... I found comfort that my experience wasn't a solitary one. This graphic novel tackles a tough topic with grace and I loved that it featured a realistic storyline and an ending that wasn't a fairytale. I would highly recommend this to children and adults alike.

library_kb's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

This graphic novel will definitely appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier--it is a very similar style to Smile or Guts. Our main character is dealing with anxiety and OCD, as well as friendship conflicts and feeling like she doesn't fit in with her homeschool friends or the friends she met at camp or in her drama group. The pacing was well done, and even though the end of the story doesn't resolve all of her struggles (mainly the OCD and anxiety) it does show progress and hope. 

kimberlyjerger's review against another edition

4.0

*4.5

kscheffrahn's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

ashleyaewert's review

3.0

I loved that this book drew from the authors own experiences, but could tell she was trying to cram a lot of events in her life into one year of the main characters which made it feel a bit rushed. I was hoping for the problems with her friendship with Kacey to be resolved as well or some follow through with Delaney's character as well.

angebrown's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Ormsbe's story of friendship in early adolescence really captured that uncertainty in upper primary when you're unsure whether your friends are the right friends, or whether you'll be friends with them forever. Ormsbee tells her story with such a hopeful tone too, which softened the nostalgic pangs it gave me. She also introduces her anxiety and OCD in such a beautiful way. Her dad's conversations with her are gentle and reassuring. Visually, each character has their own animal to represent their anxious thoughts; hers was a bee, but others included a rabbit or lizard, etc. I have loved anxiety being represented with dark vector lines in other graphic novels (Just Roll With It, Lightfall) but making it a creature shows it's not just something to endure, but something to nurture.

ekalmusla's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness

suzannedix's review against another edition

4.0

An honest look at anxiety and OCD. I think MANY middle schoolers will feel some relief knowing their fears and ticks and worries are relatable.

Grades 5 and up.