Growing Pangs

About Growing Pangs

AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A PARENTS MAGAZINE BEST BOOK


Inspired by a true story! Eleven-year old homeschooled Katie has always felt different . . . and now she can’t stop worrying.  Introducing an irresistibly relatable graphic novel about friendship, anxiety, and growing up.

“An excellent companion to Raina Telgemeier’s Guts and Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham’s Real Friends.”—Booklist, Starred Review

New Friends. New grade. New worries?

Katie’s always felt different. She’s homeschooled, she has freckles, and her teeth are really crooked. But none of these things matter to Kacey. They’re best friends forever—just like their necklaces say. But when they go to summer camp, Kacey starts acting weird. What happened to the “forever”? And when Katie gets home, she can’t stop worrying. About getting braces. About 6th grade. About friends. She knows tapping three times or opening and closing a drawer won’t make everything better . . . but sometimes it helps stop the worrying. Is something wrong with her? And will anyone want to be friends with her if they find out? 

Find out what happens next in the companion graphic novel, Turning Twelve!