Squint - by Chad Morris & Shelly Brown

About the Book

The bestselling authors of "Mustaches for Maddie" present the inspiring story of two new friends dealing with their own challenges, who learn to trust each other, believe in themselves, and begin to truly "see" what matters most.

Book Synopsis

The hero of my comic books can shoot lasers from his eyes when he squints. But it might not be enough to save the Empress. What he'll need most of all is a friend named Diamond Girl.

Flint loves to draw. In fact, he's furiously trying to finish his comic book so he can be the youngest winner of the "Find a Comic Star" contest. He's also rushing to finish because he has an eye disease that could eventually make him blind.

At school, Flint meets McKell. She's new girl and doesn't seem to have trouble making friends. She does have a problem with how some of her new friends treat this boy they call "Squint." He seems nice and really talented. He also seems like the kind of person who wouldn't laugh at you. That's important, because McKell has hidden talents of her own but is worried about what will happen if she shares them.

Squint is the inspiring story of two new friends dealing with their own challenges, who learn to trust each other, believe in themselves, and begin to truly see what matters most.

Review Quotes

"This is the perfect read for the middle grader who is struggling to figure his/her place out in the social department of life. The book does a really good job of helping one to see that everyone's lives are not as perfect as they may appear on the outside. It also illustrates that the perspective you choose to see people may be just that - your perspective and there may be an alternate perspective to the situation. The take away point of the book is: " ... a person could be different, look different, have struggles, make mistakes, and still have so much to offer."
-- "Compass Book Ratings"

nominee 2021-- "Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award"

nominee 2021, Grades 6-8
-- "Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award"

2020-2021 Nominee in grades 4-6 category-- "Missouri Mark Twain Award"

"Pulls off the seemingly impossible; it is an empathy-building novel with a message that's fun to read. Flint is a sharply observant narrator. He is self-deprecatingly humorous rather than self-pitying, and he easily embodies the secret freakishness that many teens feel. Despite the book's dual medical issues, this is not a "sick kid" book...it sends a strong message about making the most of what you have. The writing is perfectly tuned, trusting its audience enough not to hammer at its main themes. With its sophisticated themes and thoroughly likable main character, Squint takes on a lot and delivers beyond expectations."-- "Foreword Reviews" (8/20/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"Tale of loss and redemption...Likely to find an appreciative audience among young teens."-- "Kirkus" (8/1/2018 12:00:00 AM)

Flint and McKell are sympathetic protagonists with relatable concerns and issues. The challenges of middle school are leavened with humor through the 'Middle School Rules' sprinkled throughout the story. A moving story about friendship, loss, and seeing life from other people's point of view. Recommended."-- "School Library Journal" (10/4/2018 12:00:00 AM)

2019 nominee for grades 3-5-- "Ohio Buckeye Children's Book Award" (4/12/2019 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Chad Morris grew up wanting to become a professional basketball player or a rock star. Neither of those plans quite panned out, so he wrote and performed sketch comedy while going to college. Now he's a teacher and a writer.

Shelly Brown loves to write books for children. In her spare time, she enjoys the theater and traveling. In addition to her five children, she has three chickens and sixty-four Pez dispensers.

Their previous book is Mustaches for Maddie.