This is a really great book to explain ADHD to young children, especially those who are recently diagnosed. It especially tackles executive dysfunction well.

Starting middle school is tough! Marcella is dealing with change, being overwhelmed, and not being able to concentrate. She deals with school starting too early in the morning, not being able to focus on people talking to her or school projects, friendship changes and not wanting to paint anymore even though she used to love it. The book does a great job showing her growing frustration in the illustrations even without words. After dealing with too much and breaking down, Marcella learns that she has ADHD. Finding that out helps her understand why things become too much for her to focus. I think it was realistic that it took awhile for teachers and even Marcella's dads to figure out things were not going well for her. I like that her dads figured out ways to help her to stay organized and on task. The author’s note at the end was nice and explained the character and how it related to him growing up. I think the book approaches the topics of ADHD, being overwhelmed and change in a good way. Many kids will be able to relate to this coming of age story.

Absolutely Everything follows Marcella, a girl with ADHD struggling to adapt to middle school and a small move that disrupts her daily routine. I think this does a good job of showing what ADHD can feel like in terms of not being able to get started on work, losing things, not being able to keep track of a schedule, etc. I was a rare girl in the 90s who was diagnosed with ADHD fairly early, but all I had in terms of books about the subject was Joey Pigza Swallows the Key, which didn't mirror my experiences. It's nice that kids now have more characters to whom they can relate.

Marcella's ADHD symptoms do appear to be pretty severe, and I don't know how sustainable some of the solutions offered by the book would be in real life, but they're a good first step.

Do I think Absolutely Everything is doing something particularly special to stand out among the Invisible Emmies and Smiles and Clicks of the middle grade realistic fiction graphic novel sphere? Not really. But my students eat these books up, and I can see this one being a favorite.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc!

This graphic novel does a great job of showing what it feels like for a six grade girl with unmanaged and undiagnosed ADHD. It affects every aspect of her life-- her school work, her friendships, and her home life. I'm confused though what time period it is supposed to take place in. There is much diversity in her friend group in terms of races , genders, and other disability types like autism. Her parents are two dads. However, when she is diagnosed she has never heard of ADHD. It is hard to believe that in the present day, a middle schooler would have never heard of ADHD. While the author does a good job of portraying how ADHD affects a middle schooler based on their own experiences growing up, it seems very unrealistic that the main character has never heard of ADHD.

A coming of age story about the struggles of having ADHD. Marcella struggles with deadlines, paying attention in class, and her overall class schedule. She is having a hard time balancing everything that comes with being a sixth grader. With the help of a caring teacher and her two dads, she is able to find her spark again. Marcella finally gets her diagnosis and figures out a schedule that works best for her. Overall, a relatable informative story about the struggles of ADHD.

4.5 ⭐️ from my 11 year old daughter. This is a great graphic novel about how hard it can be as a teenager with ADHD. This book explores the new diagnosis of ADHD and the character's journey while navigating friendships, family and school.

Thank you NetGalley for this Advanced Reader's Copy. This is a book we'll be reading again.

As someone with ADHD, I found Alexander's portrayal of what goes on inside your head to be very realistic. I liked the illustration of all of the "noise" and how all of your thoughts get piled up on top of each other, making things hard to manage. If I had read this book as a middle schooler, I might have been able to seek help with the forgetfulness, messiness, and overwhelm I dealt with on a daily basis.

I loved this book for someone who dosent have ADHD it was intresting to see what it would be like with ADHD. I love the freind dynamic in this book it was light and playful and totally what 6th grade was like!!

I loved this book. It felt like a window into my neurospicy brain. Loud environments that completely derail me without bugging others. The rumba cleaning as you flit from project to project without finishing something. The trouble with deadlines and appointments.
A solid middle grade graphic novel that covers middle school friendships, changes and challenges. Loved the wide spread representation, the visual way ADHD overstimulation was represented, and the growth of the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for a digital ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Marcella Dwyer-Hoffman has just started middle school. So many changes! New friends. New school. Trying to memorize her class schedule. Moving into a different apartment with her 2 dads. Losing her childhood BFF. It’s just all too overwhelming. Marcella can’t handle all the changes, all the constant chatter and noises she hears during her classes to the point where it becomes a major distraction. The distractions also enter her life at home where rather than focusing on a big school project, she feels she needs to match up her pairs of socks, clean up her room (admittedly, uncommon for children and teens), and re-read her favorite book series. But why can’t she concentrate? Why is she doing so poorly in school? Why do these changes upset her so? Why does she feel like such a disappointment to everyone? Why can’t she understand why she is always upset and sad? Absolutely everything is taking its toll on Marcella.

After having just read another graphic novel of a child who is neurodivergent, I found this one significantly more understandable as it is geared towards the elementary and middle school-aged audience. It illustrates the child’s despair and confusion when they realize they are having difficulties with school, social settings, and life in general, but have no clue why that is. A child who reads this graphic novel will gather a better understanding of their ADHD diagnosis and discover ways to cope.

Absolutely Everything by Damian Alexander is a heartfelt and resonant graphic novel that captures the inner world of a sixth grader grappling with ADHD, shifting friendships, and the pressure of growing up. Through Marcella’s candid voice and expressive illustrations, readers are immersed in the quiet chaos of feeling overwhelmed—and the strength it takes to keep going.

The story balances humor and vulnerability, making Marcella’s experience both deeply personal and widely relatable. The inclusion of a warm, supportive LGBTQ+ family adds meaningful representation that feels organic and affirming. Insightful, empathetic, and visually engaging, this is a powerful addition to any middle-grade collection.

Thank you to Damian Alexander and Lerner Publishing Group for the eARC!

At first glance, Absolutely Everything seemed like another middle-grade graphic novel about friendship shifts and growing pains. But as I kept reading, I began to feel something deeper building underneath the surface. The writing is quietly powerful—never overly dramatic, but grounded in the kind of emotional truth that slowly sneaks up on you.

What hit hardest was Marcella’s internal confusion. That sense of not knowing why things feel off, why it’s suddenly hard to focus or keep up while the rest of the world just seems to be moving on—those moments are handled with striking honesty. I could feel the tension, the overwhelm, the self-doubt creeping in.

The art is vibrant and expressive—especially during moments of emotional overwhelm—and adds texture to Marcella’s world. I absolutely loved how the author intentionally left some panels without dialogue, allowing the silence to carry the emotional weight. Those quiet moments — a look, a pause, a lingering scene — were some of the loudest in impact.

Highly recommended!

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Alexander captures how it feels to start middle school and not be able to keep up. Readers see Marcella struggle with assignments and schedules and friends. Though it's painful at times, readers will connect with her and the other characters as they navigate sixth grade. I appreciate how involved her parents were and that they sought help when one of her teachers called them. However, I also felt they were so caught up in their own lives and the move that they missed some obvious ways she was in trouble. The author treated the ADHD diagnosis in a matter of fact manner and the counselor offered coping skills and methods to figure out planning for the school day. We even see one of her friendships heal. I love the ending where she figures out what makes her happy and brings her peace. A definite must for school libraries.

A new MG graphic novel by Damian Alexander.
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Marcella has been struggling lately. Sixth grade seems to be harder for her than everyone else. She’s always late, forgets her homework, doesn’t hear her name when it’s called in class, and seems to always be distracted. Add her bestie having new friends of her own and her parents wanting to move apartments—it’s all too much for Marcella!
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I was such a huge fan of Alexander’s graphic memoir Other Boys and nominated it for the Maverick GN reading list for Texas so when I saw he had a new #book coming out, I snapped it up! I can’t wait to get this into my middle school library because I see this with so many of my incoming sixth graders and even my seventh graders who have added sports and other extra curriculars into their life. Very relatable! This title releases September 9!

CW: ADHD

3.5 ⭐️

This book perfectly encapsulates ADHD in a way people rarely understand. It does a great job of showing the confusing life of a sixth grader. It's fast-paced and genuinely a very good read. I also love the art style!

Marcella is not enjoying middle school. Why is sixth grade so different and hard? Why are her friends suddenly talking about boys and think dolls are lame? On top of that, classes are different everyday, she has a bunch of different teachers, and she can't remember what each says about homework and quizzes. Her dads are very supportive, but they are at a loss on how to help. Why does Marcella feel so left out?
Absolutely Everything is a great example of how overwhelming the world can be for people with ADHD.

A good middle grade graphic novel about a young girl dealing with trouble concentrating and organizing. Is it because it's 6th grade or is it something more? A believable, realistic story about a girl with ADHD.

Absolutely Everything was such an amazing read. The art really added to the story but it was the story that captured me the most. I loved how this story examined the struggles that middle school age students can go through at that age. I think that the struggles and anxiety that the main character goes through are so realistic and as I mentioned are only heightened by the art.

The topic of this book is one that I have not come across much in my experience ordering and reading graphic novels for the juvenile section at my library. The topic and message is covered well and I feel as though the author explained the feelings one goes through with ADHD in an excellent and succinct fashion. However the art style of the book felt very amateur and at times kind of bad. I typically try and not judge based on the art alone however the art being the way it was often took me out of the plot and was visually unappealing.
But based on the story alone this was excellent!

I had the chance to read this book through NetGallery and I really enjoyed it however once again the style is not for me and I find myself struggling to want to order this book for my patrons when we have other options.

I really enjoyed this book. Very interesting topic and I love how her family and friends help Marcella enjoy life as she goes. Interesting topic to learn about. I love how her family and friends help her enjoy life as she goes.