I mean, we’re all affected by our home lives, but I appreciate how clearly and compassionately Chmakova draws these connections. We get to know the home lives of a couple of the students, and we very clearly see how the actions of the parents affect the behavior of the students. Without getting into spoilers, I need to point out that the students of Berrybrook Middle School do not exist solely within the bubble of the school. There’s one more thing about the depth of Chmakova’s characters, and then I’ll move on. It’s heartwarming, and it will give you all the feels. Rather than focus on the punishment, however, Peppi focuses on bridging the seemingly insurmountable gap between the clubs. This theme continues throughout the book, as the art club and the science club egg one another on in increasingly snarky ways that eventually lands both clubs in trouble. Peppi sums it up pretty well early on in the book when she says, “…the problem with having friends only in your circle of interests is that, outside of that circle? You’re on your own.” Chmakova goes on to show how out-of-place Peppi feels in math class, music class, and gym. And you know what? They’re all individual!Īwkward also very matter-of-factly shows how important it is to get to know people whose interests and opinions are different from our own. The students of the art and science clubs consistently behave according to character whether they’re in the foreground or the background of a panel. With only a couple of exceptions (the bullies), they’re all fully fledged people with their own quirks, faults, motivations, and goals.

Does she make mistakes? Of course! But Peppi also learns to take responsibility for her mistakes, and to both accept and grant forgiveness.Īwkward is not only Peppi’s story, it’s also the story of the students and teachers around her. She guides the reader along as Peppi reaches out to others and takes risks along the road to friendship. Um.) On the flip side of that, Chmakova also shows how fun, rewarding, and fulfilling friendships can be when they’re built on honesty and trust. (Not that I *cough* personally identify with that at all.

Chmakova weaves her middle school story with humor, grace, and a keen understanding of how, well, awkward interpersonal interactions can be, particularly for shy kids.

Awkward by svetlana chmakova