My Big Heart-Shaped Fail - by Cindy Callaghan (Paperback)

About the Book

"In this hourly time-stamped, action-packed tween comedy of errors, Abby Gray, feeling weighed down by her secrets and lies, lets five balloons float into the sky with her deepest secrets attached to them in a desperate attempt to clear her conscience. Her relief is short-lived, though: the next day, those balloons start dropping one by one at her school, revealing Abby's innermost thoughts to both friends and frenemies and creating hilarious misinterpretations of crushes amongst her peers. This is the worst day of her life . . . or is it? Before the last bell rings, Abby manages to integrate the oddball who is blackmailing her into her friend group and to fix the mix-ups the notes have caused--not only getting couples back together but also making a few new love matches--and finally comes clean as the author of the notes that have created such chaos"--

Book Synopsis

Award-winning middle-grade novel from the author of Just Add Magic and Saltwater Secrets . . . .

In this hourly time-stamped, action-packed tween comedy of errors, Abby Gray, feeling weighed down by her secrets and lies, lets five balloons float into the sky with her deepest secrets attached to them in a desperate attempt to clear her conscience. Her relief is short-lived, though: the next day, those balloons start dropping one by one at her school, revealing Abby's innermost thoughts to both friends and frenemies and creating hilarious misinterpretations of crushes amongst her peers.

This is the worst day of her life . . . or is it? Before the last bell rings, Abby manages to integrate the oddball who is blackmailing her into her friend group and to fix the mix-ups the notes have caused--not only getting couples back together but also making a few new love matches--and finally comes clean as the author of the notes that have created such chaos.

Review Quotes

2023 Purple Dragonfly Book Award 2nd Place Winner in Middle Grade Fiction

2023 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Young Adult
2022 Royal Dragonfly Award

"Full of heart, cringing decisions, and tween crush angst. Callaghan owns the sweet spot for this age reader. Hoping to see it on the screen."

-- C. M. Surrisi, author of the Agatha-nominated Quinnie Boyd Mysteries, The Unofficial Lola Bay Fan Club, and Bone Quake: Awakening a Female Viking Warrior

"Full of secrets, mix-ups, and a mystery crush, My Heart-Shaped Fail is a fun page-turner that celebrates the importance of being yourself."

-- Amy Bearce, author of Paris on Repeat and Shortcuts

"A sweet story of the twists and turns of female friendship, with a refreshing take on middle school drama."

-- Erin Dionne, author of Secrets of a Fangirl

"MY BIG HEART-SHAPED FAIL is engaging, clever, and full of heart. I found myself smiling the whole way through."

-- Cyn Balog, author of That Night and Alone

"There's so much to love about My Big Heart-Shaped Fail. The message mix-ups are hilarious, and the tests of friendship are relatable. Highly recommend!"

-- Olivia Sanabia, actress, Just Add Magic and Coop and Cami Ask the World

About the Author

Cindy Callaghan is best known for her book Just Add Magic and its sequel, Potion Problems, which are the basis for the Emmy-nominated Amazon Original live-action series Just Add Magic. She is also the author of the middle-grade novels Lost in London, Lost in Paris, Lost in Rome, Lost in Ireland (formerly titled Lucky Me), and Lost in Hollywood, the award-winning Sydney Mackenzie Knocks 'Em Dead, and Saltwater Secrets, which is also set up at a major studio. Cindy lives in Wilmington, Delaware.