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Slouch
The highly anticipated, standalone follow-up to the USA Today bestseller Jawbreaker, this funny, fresh, and incredibly relatable middle-grade novel is about a tall girl navigating friends, family, self-esteem, and boundaries—perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier.Stevie Crumb doesn’t want to stand out. But when you’re nearly 5’10” in seventh grade, it’s kind of hard not to. All anyone wants to talk about is Stevie’s height—even Stevie’s parents, who would just love for her to be an athlete like her basketball-star older brother. Sure, Stevie wants to be good at something—maybe even great at something. She’d just prefer it didn’t draw even more attention to her lanky frame.A chance encounter leads Stevie to the school’s debate team instead, where she meets cute fellow debater Cedric. He’s shorter than she is, and Stevie doesn’t think anything of it—until her best friend points it out. Then strange guys on the subway start making comments about Stevie’s body, too—which is not only annoying, but scary and unsafe. It’s time for Stevie to ask for help, set some boundaries, and realize that standing up (and standing out) isn’t such a bad thing after all.From breakout author Christina Wyman, Slouch is a new must-read story about growing up and growing into yourself, inch by inch. It’s ideal for readers who love Raina Telgemeier, Kelly Yang, Gordon Korman, and other endlessly funny and deeply heartfelt books that tackle big topics and universal coming-of-age experiences alike.Don’t miss Christina Wyman’s hit debut Jawbreaker, which Publishers Weekly calls “Smile meets Wonder.”
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 22, 2024
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June 15, 2024SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK!!!
June 27, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
The first thing that people notice about seventh grader Stevie Crumb is that she is 5'10", and they always feel a need to comment on it. Her older brother, Ryan, is slightly taller than she is, but he's a high school basketball player. Her parents, who weren't able to go to college because they had Ryan right after high school, go to all of his games, and don't seem to care much about what Stevie does as long as she supports Ryan, too. Money is tight in the household, and they eat a lot of pasta. There seems to be money for new shoes and clothes for Ryan, but not always for Stevie, who has grown enough that herr new pants are short and tight, so she often steals Ryan's sweats to wear to school. She gets along fairly well with Ryan, although he'll do annoying things like asking her to do extra credit homework for him for $5. Stevie's best friend, Arianna, is fashion obsessed, and lives in a bigger, fancier apartment on one of the upper floors in the New York City apartment building. When Arianna goes home sick, Stevie has to take the train home alone, and notices that men, some older than her father, are starting to violate her personal space and make inappropriate comments. The first time it happens, she asks her father to meet her at her stop, but doesn't tell him about the occurrence because she's afraid that he won't let her take the train alone. Stevie's parents have mentioned that she needs an activity, and when she hears Mrs. Crenshaw and the school Opinionators discussing debate topics, she ends up joining their debate team. This means less time with Arianna, who is starting a business selling bracelets on Instagram without telling her parents. It also means that she has to take the train alone more and more. Fiona is the student who wanted to start the debate team, and she is quite mean, telling Stevie that she doesn't want anyone else on "her" team, calling her Crumb-Dumb, and making fun of her height and clothing behind her back. On the bright side, Cedric is welcoming and friendly, and Stevie rather likes him. When she tells Arianna, her friend says that she can't like Cedric because he's shorter than she is. Arianna runs into problems with her business, taking pictures in a forbidden ally and even meeting strangers who say they want to buy her bracelets. This concerns Stevie so much that she tells her parents, and Arianna is angry with Stevie for a while. She eventually understands, and offers to go to the first debate with Stevie because she is bored with being grounded. Stevie has prepared well for the debate, but is so uncomfortable with her I'll fitting outfit and so intimidated by the fancy private school that she completely blows her debate and forfeits for the team without asking them. Her parents weren't at the debate, choosing instead to go to a scrimmage of Ryan's. Stevie finally has a talk with her parents, and tries to get them to understand that it's not okay for family friends to make comments about her body, even if they seem complimentary, that she needs their emotional support, and that she has to have a bare minimum of clothing that fits and makes her feel comfortable in order to be able to go to school and get things done.
Strengths: Like this author's Jawbreaker, Stevie's family is struggling to pay bills, which is a situation not often depicted in middle grade novels. While Max Plink had one parent who had problems and a very bad relationship with her sister, Stevie's parents are doing a good job at trying to support their children; they just don't fully understand Stevie's needs, and do change when she talks to them. I also liked that she and Ryan generally get along, even though she resents him. There are some very interesting scenes where Stevie grapples with her height; she lets Arianna cut her hair (with disastrous results) because it will "make her look shorter" and she practices different postures. I loved that Mrs. Crenshaw was also tall, and wish that the two of them would have talked more. The balancing act that the parents have with money will be familiar to many children; Stevie and her brother have most of what they need, but there's always the chance that they might lose the apartment, that they won't be able to pay to have the car fixed, or that things like new clothes and shoes will have to wait until the next pay day. This also realistically addresses the sexual harassment that many young girls face, and has an informative author's note about her own experiences. There's also a lot of good information about the effects of social media and safety concerning it, and Arianna's story is a realistic, cautionary tale.
Weaknesses: I almost wish Stevie hadn't completely crumbled (sorry!) at the debate at the fancy school, because I think completely disastrous performances are rare in reality, but the scene does have the appeal of the old Seventeen Magazine "Was My Face Red" column. I also wish that we had seen Stevie stand up for herself at least once; if doing so on the train is too dangerous, perhaps she could have called out a "complement" or two, giving readers an example of tactics they might employ.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who found Bradley's Fighting Words, Dee's Maybe He Just Likes You or Carter's How to Be a Girl in the World informative, and is the only other book I can think of the addresses the challenges of being particularly tall, other than Bauer's 2002 Stand Tall.
Perhaps we need a middle grade book that shows girls how to stand up to people who say inappropriate things to them. This issue is no doubt tied to many factors, like family socioeconomic status, educational level, race, and culture, but I hope that women are doing a better job of teaching girls how to (when safe) talk back to people who give them a hard time. This was also a good title to point out that it's bad practice to comment on someone's physical appearance, even if it is supposedly complimentary. I try to tell students nice things to hopefully brighten their days, but try to limit myself to the colors they are wearing or something specific about garments (I love the cable pattern on your sweater!), because those things are choices that students have made.
The first thing that people notice about seventh grader Stevie Crumb is that she is 5'10", and they always feel a need to comment on it. Her older brother, Ryan, is slightly taller than she is, but he's a high school basketball player. Her parents, who weren't able to go to college because they had Ryan right after high school, go to all of his games, and don't seem to care much about what Stevie does as long as she supports Ryan, too. Money is tight in the household, and they eat a lot of pasta. There seems to be money for new shoes and clothes for Ryan, but not always for Stevie, who has grown enough that herr new pants are short and tight, so she often steals Ryan's sweats to wear to school. She gets along fairly well with Ryan, although he'll do annoying things like asking her to do extra credit homework for him for $5. Stevie's best friend, Arianna, is fashion obsessed, and lives in a bigger, fancier apartment on one of the upper floors in the New York City apartment building. When Arianna goes home sick, Stevie has to take the train home alone, and notices that men, some older than her father, are starting to violate her personal space and make inappropriate comments. The first time it happens, she asks her father to meet her at her stop, but doesn't tell him about the occurrence because she's afraid that he won't let her take the train alone. Stevie's parents have mentioned that she needs an activity, and when she hears Mrs. Crenshaw and the school Opinionators discussing debate topics, she ends up joining their debate team. This means less time with Arianna, who is starting a business selling bracelets on Instagram without telling her parents. It also means that she has to take the train alone more and more. Fiona is the student who wanted to start the debate team, and she is quite mean, telling Stevie that she doesn't want anyone else on "her" team, calling her Crumb-Dumb, and making fun of her height and clothing behind her back. On the bright side, Cedric is welcoming and friendly, and Stevie rather likes him. When she tells Arianna, her friend says that she can't like Cedric because he's shorter than she is. Arianna runs into problems with her business, taking pictures in a forbidden ally and even meeting strangers who say they want to buy her bracelets. This concerns Stevie so much that she tells her parents, and Arianna is angry with Stevie for a while. She eventually understands, and offers to go to the first debate with Stevie because she is bored with being grounded. Stevie has prepared well for the debate, but is so uncomfortable with her I'll fitting outfit and so intimidated by the fancy private school that she completely blows her debate and forfeits for the team without asking them. Her parents weren't at the debate, choosing instead to go to a scrimmage of Ryan's. Stevie finally has a talk with her parents, and tries to get them to understand that it's not okay for family friends to make comments about her body, even if they seem complimentary, that she needs their emotional support, and that she has to have a bare minimum of clothing that fits and makes her feel comfortable in order to be able to go to school and get things done.
Strengths: Like this author's Jawbreaker, Stevie's family is struggling to pay bills, which is a situation not often depicted in middle grade novels. While Max Plink had one parent who had problems and a very bad relationship with her sister, Stevie's parents are doing a good job at trying to support their children; they just don't fully understand Stevie's needs, and do change when she talks to them. I also liked that she and Ryan generally get along, even though she resents him. There are some very interesting scenes where Stevie grapples with her height; she lets Arianna cut her hair (with disastrous results) because it will "make her look shorter" and she practices different postures. I loved that Mrs. Crenshaw was also tall, and wish that the two of them would have talked more. The balancing act that the parents have with money will be familiar to many children; Stevie and her brother have most of what they need, but there's always the chance that they might lose the apartment, that they won't be able to pay to have the car fixed, or that things like new clothes and shoes will have to wait until the next pay day. This also realistically addresses the sexual harassment that many young girls face, and has an informative author's note about her own experiences. There's also a lot of good information about the effects of social media and safety concerning it, and Arianna's story is a realistic, cautionary tale.
Weaknesses: I almost wish Stevie hadn't completely crumbled (sorry!) at the debate at the fancy school, because I think completely disastrous performances are rare in reality, but the scene does have the appeal of the old Seventeen Magazine "Was My Face Red" column. I also wish that we had seen Stevie stand up for herself at least once; if doing so on the train is too dangerous, perhaps she could have called out a "complement" or two, giving readers an example of tactics they might employ.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who found Bradley's Fighting Words, Dee's Maybe He Just Likes You or Carter's How to Be a Girl in the World informative, and is the only other book I can think of the addresses the challenges of being particularly tall, other than Bauer's 2002 Stand Tall.
Perhaps we need a middle grade book that shows girls how to stand up to people who say inappropriate things to them. This issue is no doubt tied to many factors, like family socioeconomic status, educational level, race, and culture, but I hope that women are doing a better job of teaching girls how to (when safe) talk back to people who give them a hard time. This was also a good title to point out that it's bad practice to comment on someone's physical appearance, even if it is supposedly complimentary. I try to tell students nice things to hopefully brighten their days, but try to limit myself to the colors they are wearing or something specific about garments (I love the cable pattern on your sweater!), because those things are choices that students have made.
May 14, 2024
Slouch is a novel about a tall 12 year old girl navigating friends, family, self-esteem, and boundaries most teens face as minors.
Stevie Crumb, like most adolescents, doesn’t want to stand out. Problem is, she’s nearly 5’10” in seventh grade, so she towers over her peers and much of the school staff as well. To Stevie, it seems, all anyone wants to talk about is her height. Her parents want her be an athlete like her basketball-star older brother, Ryan. She cares not one thing for basketball and any other sport, frankly. But Stevie has a keen desire to be good at something, just not something that draws even more attention to her lanky frame.
Then, quite by accident, Stevie learns her middle school has a debate team. She, out of curiosity, joins in on a meeting and thinks this may be her niche. After all there is a acute fellow debater named Cedric. But alas, he’s shorter than she is, a fact her best friend is so kind to point out!
Then you have are Stevie’s clothes which she is out growing super fast. Even her brother calls her Flood Watch due to her pants stopping well above her ankles. Yes, another reason to stand out. It seems there is always money for Ryan’s basketball attire and expensive shoes but Stevie is asked to make do because the parents, after living expensive in the city have no money left for her. This fact infuriated me with the patents. I understand being on a-tight budget, but funds could have been shifted around to buy their daughter proper clothing.
Another plot in the Stevie saga is her subway rides to school and debates. Looking more like a high schooler than a twelve year old, men on the subway start making comments about her body. This is of course annoying, but also scary and unsafe.
Then her friend lands herself in a stranger danger situation and when Stevie’s parents happen to find out, they tell best friend Arianna’s parents and now she won’t speak to her.
Lots going on in Steve’s life and you reader will want to be there for every second of it!
Slouch, by Christina Wyman is a new must-read story about growing up and growing into yourself, inch by inch. There is a lot of heart in this story that tackles big topics and universal coming-of-age issues in a very tactful manner for Middle grade readers.
Then you have are Stevie’s clothes which she is out growing super fast. Even her brother calls her Flood Watch due to her pants stopping well above her ankles. Yes, another reason to stand out. It seems there is always money for Ryan’s basketball attire and expensive shoes but Stevie is asked to make do because the parents, after living expensive in the city have no money left for her. This fact infuriated me with the patents. I understand being on a-tight budget, but funds could have been shifted around to buy their daughter proper clothing.
Another plot in the Stevie saga is her subway rides to school and debates. Looking more like a high schooler than a twelve year old, men on the subway start making comments about her body. This is of course annoying, but also scary and unsafe.
Then her friend lands herself in a stranger danger situation and when Stevie’s parents happen to find out, they tell best friend Arianna’s parents and now she won’t speak to her.
Lots going on in Steve’s life and you reader will want to be there for every second of it!
Slouch, by Christina Wyman is a new must-read story about growing up and growing into yourself, inch by inch. There is a lot of heart in this story that tackles big topics and universal coming-of-age issues in a very tactful manner for Middle grade readers.
July 4, 2024
Towering over her classmates, twelve-year-old Stevie is subjected to unwanted comments about her body by family, friends, and strangers. Residing in an apartment in Brooklyn with parents living paycheck to paycheck, a brother on the high school basketball team who gets whatever he wants, and a best friend ten flights up in her building, Stevie feels like everything is more important than she is.
This isn’t just another “poor me” teen angst book; watching Stevie “grow” and find her voice was magical. Stevie responds to many situations with wisdom beyond her years which young readers may find unbelievable (but something to which they should aspire), and some with the childishness of her age, an apt portrayal of pre-teen existence. Responses to these situations by Stevie and Arianna are mostly healthy responses, and it also indicates what they learned from the experience.
Themes throughout the book are timely and relevant to today’s youth, with many predictable outcomes. The teachable moments come hard, fast, and obvious. Adults reading with the intended audience can open some conversations based on these situations, their reactions, and emotions.
My favorite phrases are "information diet" and "play stupid games, win stupid prizes"
This read is good for the tween audience, for anyone struggling with ever having been bullied and subjected to microaggressions, or anyone who has ever been a bully, there is a character for everyone with whom to relate.
This isn’t just another “poor me” teen angst book; watching Stevie “grow” and find her voice was magical. Stevie responds to many situations with wisdom beyond her years which young readers may find unbelievable (but something to which they should aspire), and some with the childishness of her age, an apt portrayal of pre-teen existence. Responses to these situations by Stevie and Arianna are mostly healthy responses, and it also indicates what they learned from the experience.
Themes throughout the book are timely and relevant to today’s youth, with many predictable outcomes. The teachable moments come hard, fast, and obvious. Adults reading with the intended audience can open some conversations based on these situations, their reactions, and emotions.
My favorite phrases are "information diet" and "play stupid games, win stupid prizes"
This read is good for the tween audience, for anyone struggling with ever having been bullied and subjected to microaggressions, or anyone who has ever been a bully, there is a character for everyone with whom to relate.
July 4, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
Once again, following Jawbreaker, Wyman delivers a fantastic telling of self consciousness and self worth and how school and family dynamics play a strong roll in each.
Stevie faces being poked and prodded about her height along with unwanted attention from adults on the train, while also feeling invisible to her family as her athletic brother’s needs gets prioritized over hers.
It’s stories like these that have that real world feel that a kid needs every once in a while to let them know, hey, this is kind of what I’m going through too. Books like these might give a kid the confidence they need to speak up about similar experiences be it at school or at home.
It helps kids step into the real world as they approach their teenage years, years full of changes in more ways than one.
And for adults, it gives us that throwback to times where we possibly felt these ways or had these experiences and maybe didn’t get to express ourselves or find the courage, help, or outlet needed at the time, but shows us we weren’t as alone as we thought.
All in all, another great read for all ages, and I throughly enjoyed it.
My one peeve was honestly with Arianna calling her parents by their first names to Stevie, it seemed odd and took me a moment to realize it was her parents she was talking about.
Once again, following Jawbreaker, Wyman delivers a fantastic telling of self consciousness and self worth and how school and family dynamics play a strong roll in each.
Stevie faces being poked and prodded about her height along with unwanted attention from adults on the train, while also feeling invisible to her family as her athletic brother’s needs gets prioritized over hers.
It’s stories like these that have that real world feel that a kid needs every once in a while to let them know, hey, this is kind of what I’m going through too. Books like these might give a kid the confidence they need to speak up about similar experiences be it at school or at home.
It helps kids step into the real world as they approach their teenage years, years full of changes in more ways than one.
And for adults, it gives us that throwback to times where we possibly felt these ways or had these experiences and maybe didn’t get to express ourselves or find the courage, help, or outlet needed at the time, but shows us we weren’t as alone as we thought.
All in all, another great read for all ages, and I throughly enjoyed it.
My one peeve was honestly with Arianna calling her parents by their first names to Stevie, it seemed odd and took me a moment to realize it was her parents she was talking about.
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May 16, 2024Seventh grader, Stevie, wants to be seen by her parents and brother, Ryan. All her parents time, attention, and limited resources go to Ryan's basketball playing, in unrealistic hopes that he secures a college scholarship. Also, Stevie is 5'10" tall and she wears a size 10 shoe. Everyone thinks she should play basketball and comments on her height and her maturing body. Add to that a best friend, Arianna, that strives to become a social media influencer with a predictable situation that unfolds, a crush on Cedric, and a newly formed debate team at her school and you have the setting for the book. Unfortunately, this has too many didactic moments. All the issues dealt with in this book are important ones. Educators, counselors, and parents will find ample opportunities to find discussion starters while reading this. Stevie is a very likable character and young readers will be cheering for her all the way through the book. The ending was hopeful but not as satisfying as it could have been. Not sure what young readers will think. 2.5 stars
July 26, 2024
Another pitch-perfect tween read from Wyman.
"Freakish giant" Stevie Crumb is sick of always standing out for the wrong reasons: she's way taller than her peers, even the boys; and her clothes never fit right. At home, she feels almost invisible, eclipsed by her older brother's basketball aspirations. Stevie is thrilled to learn that her middle school offers a Debate Club; finally, here's a chance for her to be part of a team that needs her mind more than her body. But joining the club sows a rift between her and her BFF and means that she has to take the train home by herself--with all the unwanted attention from creepy older Brooklynites.
This is a powerful friendship story and an honest look at financial precarity, growing bodies, and family favoritism--but more than that, it's a necessary treatise on how to be female in the modern world, and what privacy and consent mean in the digital age. Read it and pass it on.
"Freakish giant" Stevie Crumb is sick of always standing out for the wrong reasons: she's way taller than her peers, even the boys; and her clothes never fit right. At home, she feels almost invisible, eclipsed by her older brother's basketball aspirations. Stevie is thrilled to learn that her middle school offers a Debate Club; finally, here's a chance for her to be part of a team that needs her mind more than her body. But joining the club sows a rift between her and her BFF and means that she has to take the train home by herself--with all the unwanted attention from creepy older Brooklynites.
This is a powerful friendship story and an honest look at financial precarity, growing bodies, and family favoritism--but more than that, it's a necessary treatise on how to be female in the modern world, and what privacy and consent mean in the digital age. Read it and pass it on.
September 2, 2024
I recieved a free eARC of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.
Stevie is tall. The tallest girl in 7th grade. Her clothes don't fit. People keep making comments about her body, and whether it's creepy guys on the subway or her best friend saying boys don't like tall girls, it hurts, Her parents are focused on her brother's basketball career and his chance at a college scholarship. When she discovers the debate team, she might actually have a chance to stand out, not just stand up....maybe.
Every kid who has had the experience of not fitting in will find Stevie relatable and connect to this book. It's also nice to see debate get love and attention. And, finally, this is a good introduction to internet safety for kids, without being too preachy about it. Overall, this is an excellent book that would be a great fit for school libraries and classrooms.
Stevie is tall. The tallest girl in 7th grade. Her clothes don't fit. People keep making comments about her body, and whether it's creepy guys on the subway or her best friend saying boys don't like tall girls, it hurts, Her parents are focused on her brother's basketball career and his chance at a college scholarship. When she discovers the debate team, she might actually have a chance to stand out, not just stand up....maybe.
Every kid who has had the experience of not fitting in will find Stevie relatable and connect to this book. It's also nice to see debate get love and attention. And, finally, this is a good introduction to internet safety for kids, without being too preachy about it. Overall, this is an excellent book that would be a great fit for school libraries and classrooms.
September 2, 2024
Stevie’s brother Ryan plays high school basketball. Their parents expect Ryan to get a college scholarship, and expect the whole family to support him by coming to the games. Stevie is 6’, and is very tired of people asking her if she plays basketball. She happens to find out about the debate team in her school, and realizes that she likes debate. Her friend Ariana is impulsive and makes some bad choices, making Stevie promise not to tell. Stevie is getting unwanted attention from creepy men on the subway. Even loved ones feel that they can comment on her body. Stevie uses the skills she is learning in debate to stand up tall for herself and express her feelings.
July 30, 2024
This was a fantastic book which brought back for me how rough it is in middle school when everything is changing including you own body, and adults like to comment on this often in uncomfortable ways.
May 19, 2024
This book was every feeling I experienced as a 6 foot tall female in middle school. Such a great read!
August 10, 2024
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Stevie’s predicament, as a tall girl who doesn’t like sports, really resonated with me! This is a must-purchase for middle school readers.
Stevie’s predicament, as a tall girl who doesn’t like sports, really resonated with me! This is a must-purchase for middle school readers.
September 5, 2024
Don't let the cover fool you. This is not a graphic novel.
Slouch introduces us to 7th grader Stevie Crumb. Stevie doesn't want to stand out, but her five foot ten inch height makes her easily noticed and easily mistaken for someone far older. Even though Stevie's parents and older brother play basketball, Stevie could care less about the sport. Stevie also has to deal with adults making comments about her body and creepy weirdos who ride the subway. Stevie gets so tired of these situations, and she overthinks her height whenever she is around her classmates. All of this leads to Stevie resorting to slouching so that maybe she won't appear to be as tall as she really is.
Wyman does a great job of creating believable middle school characters, and readers will applaud Stevie for finally standing up for herself.
Slouch introduces us to 7th grader Stevie Crumb. Stevie doesn't want to stand out, but her five foot ten inch height makes her easily noticed and easily mistaken for someone far older. Even though Stevie's parents and older brother play basketball, Stevie could care less about the sport. Stevie also has to deal with adults making comments about her body and creepy weirdos who ride the subway. Stevie gets so tired of these situations, and she overthinks her height whenever she is around her classmates. All of this leads to Stevie resorting to slouching so that maybe she won't appear to be as tall as she really is.
Wyman does a great job of creating believable middle school characters, and readers will applaud Stevie for finally standing up for herself.
September 3, 2024
Slouch follows Stevie Crumb as she finds her own place in the world. Stevie is tall, the tallest in nearly any room she's in. While it's not a huge issue for Stevie, it seems to be a huge issue for everyone else. What is a huge issue for Stevie is the way grown-ups, especially men, treat her because of her height. Also an issue is how her parents always seem to have money for everything her brother wants or needs but not Stevie, not even when it's to buy new clothes. When Stevie stumbles into the debate team meeting after school, she has no intentions of joining. But what if, Stevie DOES have something to say? This is an incredibly relatable story for any kid going through the awkwardness of growing up, being in between, and finding their own voice.
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