Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel

by Rex Ogle, Dave Valeza (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Middle school is hard enough, but it’s even harder when you can’t see clearly! A pair of glasses is the icing on the (not-so-great) cake for Rex, whose middle school experience has been full of bullies and girl troubles. This heartwarming graphic novel based on the author’s own life is both relatable and fun.

A humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic memoir about fitting in, facing bullies, and finding the right pair of glasses.

Sixth grade isn't as great as Rex thought it would be. He's the only kid who hasn't had a growth spurt, and the bullies won't let him forget it. His closest friend is unreliable, at best. And there's a cute girl in his class, who may or may not like hiim back. With so much going on, everything is a blur — including Rex's vision! So when he discovers that he needs glasses, and his family can only afford the ugliestpair in the store, any hope Rex had of fitting in goes completely out of focus.

In this true coming-of-age story, Rex has his sights set on surviving sixth grade, but now he's got to find a way to do it with glasses, no friends, and a family that just doesn't get it!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338574968
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	05/02/2023
Series:	Four Eyes
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	14,506
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 5.60(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	GN280L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Rex Ogle is the author of Free Lunch, recipient of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults. His original graphic novel series, Four Eyes, is based on the highs and lows of his middle-school years growing up in Texas. Under the pen name Rey Terciero, he authored Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as well as Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms. Before becoming a full-time writer, Rex worked as an editor in New York for many years and championed a number of licensed titles, including the New York Times bestsellers Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Secret Hero Society: Study Hall of Justice, and Neil Patrick Harris's The Magic Misfits. Rex now writes full time from his home in California. When he's not busy writing, Rex can be found hiking with his dog, playing Mario Kart with his friends, or reading a new favorite book. Learn more about Rex at rexogle.com.

Dave Valeza grew up in Covina, California, after emigrating with his family from Manila, Philippines. Pursuing his love of drawing, Dave earned a bachelor's degree in illustration and a master's degree in sequential art. He's a passionate visual storyteller, and he especially loves drawing people, fashion, and technology. In his spare time, Dave enjoys biking and doodling around Savannah, Georgia, where he lives with his husband, cat, and dog. Find out more about Dave and his work at davevaleza.com.

Editorial Reviews

A Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated Kids' Book Release

An Amazon Best Book of 2023 So Far

★ "Ogle powerfully depicts middle-school bullying, the pressures of living in a low-income family, and the struggle to find a place to fit in and to stand up for one's self, all with multifaceted characters. Valeza and Szymanik's well-paced, wonderfully crafted, and expressive artwork does an excellent job of capturing the emotional turns of this captivating, honest story about adolescence. Hand to fans of Raina Telgemeier, Dan Santat, Jerry Craft, and Shannon Hale." — Booklist, starred review

★ "Valeza's captivating visual spreads seamlessly complement the plot and tone of the book. The dynamic and purposeful page layouts enable readers to concentrate on the flow and significance of the text... A great addition to graphic novel sections of libraries and classrooms in middle schools." — School Library Journal, starred review

"Valeza's classic-feeling character designs, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier's work, effectively capture the 1990s aesthetic, and visual jokes, like an optometrist called Eye Caramba, add levity to a thoughtfully rendered read that tackles themes of loneliness, connection, and change." — Publishers Weekly

"Readers will deeply care for Rex's journey toward self-acceptance, his familial relationships, and his navigation of a new school environment. The bright, clean art emphasizes the emotional highs and lows... A realistic, funny, and heartfelt framing of the hardships of middle school and fitting in." — Kirkus Reviews

"A touching graphic novel that's easy to relate to... A solid, solid read." — Graphic Policy

Praise for Pizza Face:

"Readers will be able to find themselves in the characters' struggles. The artwork is colorful and creative, showing a skillful use of the graphic novel format. The supporting characters are well developed and racially diverse... A relatable, engaging sequel about surviving puberty and middle school." — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

★ 05/26/2023

Gr 5–8—In Ogle's graphic memoir, he explores universal adolescent themes including self-doubt, friendship troubles, and the pressure to conform. Rex is dreading the transition to middle school, especially since he will start with a group of students he's never met before. He's also struggling with his family dynamics, as he navigates having a stepdad, a half-brother, and a dad who just doesn't seem to care about him. In school, Rex struggles to see the whiteboard in his classes, and he immediately stresses about how that will impact him and his academics. After a trip to the optometrist, Rex is branded with glasses. Between his "nerd-ware" and his mom's job as a waitress at a restaurant, putting his socioeconomic status on display to his classmates, he's not sure if he will survive the sixth grade. This coming-of-age story also tackles classism and stress related to non-traditional family dynamics. Reminiscent of Maria Scrivan's illustrative style, Valeza's captivating visual spreads seamlessly complement the plot and tone of the book. The dynamic and purposeful page layouts enable readers to concentrate on the flow and significance of the text. VERDICT A great addition to graphic novel sections of libraries and classrooms in middle schools.—Angie Jameson

School Library Journal

03/13/2023

Ogle (Abuela, Don’t Forget Me) recounts his tumultuous sixth grade year in this layered and moving graphic novel memoir. Not only does he seem to be the only kid who hasn’t experienced a growth spurt, but his best friend renounced their shared love of comics to impress popular bully Victor, and days suffering from splitting headaches result in the discovery that he needs glasses. The expense causes friction between Ogle’s divorced parents and puts added pressure on his mother and stepfather, who are overwhelmed by financial stressors but resist monetary assistance from Abuela. Ogle’s new eyewear prompts bullying from classmates; when he vents to Abuela, she describes her childhood living in financial precarity in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico, enabling Ogle to rethink his outlook on life. The lesson in gratitude lands gracefully, in part because it’s accompanied by the important corollary that it’s okay to ask for and accept help. Valeza’s classic-feeling character designs, reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s work, effectively capture the 1990s aesthetic, and visual jokes, like an optometrist called Eye Caramba, add levity to a thoughtfully rendered read that tackles themes of loneliness, connection, and change. Ages 8–12. (May)

Publishers Weekly

2023-02-25
The first in a new series, this graphic memoir follows popular author for young people Ogle’s transition to middle school, a time when things were anything but clear.

New sixth grader Rex is ready to take on his first day of middle school with his best friend, Drew, by his side. But when he can’t seem to open his locker, loses Drew to the popular crowd, and attracts negative attention for being short and on the free lunch program, middle school suddenly doesn’t seem so great. At home, Rex helps take care of his younger half brother while his working-class mom and stepdad struggle to make ends meet. His absentee father is emotionally distant and stingy, despite having more disposable income. Things really start to go south when Rex’s vision becomes blurry, and a trip to the optometrist (“¡Eye Caramba!”) confirms his worst nightmare—he needs glasses. Unfortunately for Rex, his Mexican American mom and White stepdad can only afford the ugliest, cheapest frames. Over the course of the school year, Rex begins to rebuild his confidence and identity with the help of his family and newfound friends. Readers will deeply care for Rex’s journey toward self-acceptance, his familial relationships, and his navigation of a new school environment. The bright, clean art emphasizes the emotional highs and lows. Supporting characters are racially diverse, and Rex’s stepfather has a stutter.

A realistic, funny, and heartfelt framing of the hardships of middle school and fitting in. (Graphic memoir. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews