Fruitcake: A Graphic Novel (Four Eyes #3) - by Rex Ogle (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A pitch-perfect middle-grade graphic memoir about crushes, coming out, and finding the courage to be yourself.

Eighth grade isn't off to a great start. Everyone but Rex seems to be coupling up, and he's starting to feel like an outsider... until he meets Charlotte. She's fearless, smart, pretty, and she likes him back. But as great as Charlotte is, there's someone else Rex can't stop thinking about.

Drew is Rex's childhood best friend, so when he kisses Rex, all kinds of new feelings begin to stir. Though at school, Drew acts like he doesn't even know Rex, making those feelings turn really confusing really fast. And with all the strong opinions Rex hears from friends and at church, he questions his own worth and what his affections actually mean. Rex wants to be more like his new friend, Nina, and not care what others think, but being himself seems impossible. When did middle school get so confusing?!

Review Quotes

An Indie Bestseller

★ "Funny, sad, goofy, and poignant; a winner." Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "A -triumphant -addition to an already excellent series, highly recommended for middle school collections and -libraries." -- School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Unlike the namesake holiday dessert, this is a fruitcake that will likely leave middle-grade readers satisfied and wanting more." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review

"[A] candid graphic novel memoir... Humor-laced dialogue adds levity to nuanced portrayals of one middle schooler's grappling with his sexuality alongside other sensitively considered interpretations of tweens exploring self-image and families contending with financial insecurity." -- Publishers Weekly

"Once again, Ogle and Valeza empathically capture Rex's coming-of-age; their ending author's and artist's notes add inviting, intimate poignancy." -- Booklist

"This graphic novel absolutely gives Heartstopper vibes for the middle school set, with young teens learning some important lessons with a little less accompanying grit as bullies swiftly get their comeuppance and families are supportive... A prescient story for current times." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Praise for Four Eyes:

A Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated Kids' Book Release

An Amazon Best Book of 2023

★ "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:

An ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List Nominee

An Amazon Best Book of 2024

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2024

★ "This must-read graphic novel is the perfect choice for tween readers going through challenging times." -- School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Pizza Face is a fresh take on the age-old crisis of puberty that will help adolescents feel more empathetic and less alone while navigating their own physical and emotional changes... This book has broad appeal." -- BookPage, starred review

"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

"Endearing and engaging... Rex is a likable and relatable character; his trials with puberty and middle school ring true." -- The Horn Book Magazine

"This engaging graphic novel sequel is full of positive messages about forgiveness and strong representations of friendship and family." -- Common Sense Media

About the Author

Rex Ogle is an award-winning author of more than a hundred books for kids, including his memoirs Free Lunch (winner of the YALSA award for Excellence in Nonfiction), Road Home (a Michael L. Printz Honor and Stonewall Honor book), and Four Eyes and Pizza Face, both illustrated by Dave Valeza. Under his pseudonym Rey Terciero, he has also penned graphic novel retellings such as Meg, Jo, Beth, & Amy; Northranger; and Dan in Green Gables. Born and raised in Texas, Rex now lives in Los Angeles, where he writes every day. He still wears glasses, picks at his pimples, and can't stop eating cake. Learn more about Rex and his books 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. A passionate visual storyteller, he especially loves drawing people, fashion, and technology. In his spare time, Dave enjoys cooking, reading, and sketching in Savannah, Georgia, where he lives with his husband and family. Find out more about Dave and his work at davevaleza.com.