Turning Twelve - (From the Universe of Growing Pangs) by Kathryn Ormsbee

About the Book

"Katie turns 12 and finally has her first crush, but growing up is much more complicated than [she] thought it would be"--]cProvided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Turning twelve means big changes--first bra, first time babysitting, and a first crush not everyone will approve of . . . a pitch-perfect coming-of-age graphic novel from the creators of Growing Pangs.

A BOOKPAGE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

"Twelve cheers for Turning Twelve! Readers will root for Katie as she navigates seventh grade and stays true to her own heart." --Megan Wagner Lloyd, author of Allergic

"This book will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier, Kayla Miller, and Shannon Hale who are searching for their next favorite read." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

What if a friend...is more than a friend?

Katie can't wait to turn twelve--pool parties! babysitting! friends! But sometimes it feels like there's so much new stuff she can barely keep up. First Job? (Yes!) Unfair dress codes? (No way!) Make up (Okay?!) Shaving? (Uh...!)

Maybe growing up isn't as much fun as she had expected. But one thing does seem right--her new friend, Grace. Could Katie have a crush on another girl? Katie knows not everyone around her will approve...which is kind of scary. She might not be ready to tell anyone yet, and that's fine...but can Katie stay true to herself and embrace the person she's growing up to be?

Review Quotes

★ "A heartfelt and endearing snapshot of adolescence." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Katie is just the sort of lively, inquisitive friend that a 12-year-old might yearn for. With its exhilarating combination of prose and illustrations, Turning Twelve will make readers clamor for more of Katie's adventures." --BookPage, starred review

"Ormsbee and Brooks craft a graphic novel that provides a realistic and empathetic exploration of understanding one's identity. This exploration on crushes and growing up is a must for the realistic graphic novel genre." --School Library Journal

"A respectful portrayal of an adolescent girl learning to think independently." --The Horn Book

About the Author

Kathryn (K.E.) Ormsbee is the author of several acclaimed books for kids, including Candidly Cline (A 2023 ALA Rainbow Book List Book). She was born and raised in Kentucky and now lives in Austin, Texas with her wife and their dog. .

Molly Brooks is the author and illustrator of the acclaimed Sanity & Tallulah graphic novel series, as well as the illustrator of Flying Machines and many other short comics. Molly grew up in Tennessee and now lives in Brooklyn with her wife and cats.