While reading this I couldn’t help but think about my daughter and granddaughter, who is in 7th grade. They both deal with ADHD and anxiety. I could related to this character in a personal level. I enjoyed the graphic novel approach to this book as kids aren’t likely to pick up a book such as this, just to read it. I also appreciated that the character was female as ADHD does affect more boys than girls. It is a validation to girls that they to can experience different types of emotions and feelings of being overwhelmed with everything, whether it be a simple task or hard. The characters were likable and I also found the illustrations fun.
From the beginning page of the schedule to the end, I was engaged in her struggles.
As an aside, my granddaughter was just tested and come to find out schedules such as that, overwhelm her to the point of paralysis. She doesn’t know where to begin with work that is busy on paper.

Absolutely Everything is a charming, nostalgic graphic novel that follows Marcella as she navigates the transition into sixth grade alongside changing friendships, a move, and the overwhelming mental barrage she faces on a daily basis. Although the illustration style wasn't my favorite, I really enjoyed both the ADHD representation and the casual inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters. Even before reading the author's note, it was evident that Absolutely Everything was written by someone with ADHD. Despite being nearly thirty myself, I related to Marcella's experience and felt very seen while reading her story.

This book reminded me of the Terri Libenson graphic novels, and I think its intended younger audience will see the similarities as well. This is something I could see my juvenile patrons gravitating toward as well as something I recommend to them, especially for those who specifically seek out ADHD or neurodivergent representation in books. It's great to have another option with which to provide them.

What a complex yet accessible and relatable look at the transition into sixth grade! While the story itself isn't centered around ADHD, it drastically affects all of the ways the main character navigates the many new changes in her life. At that age, even the smallest of changes feels dramatic and overwhelming. With her studies increasing in difficulty, her friend group's priorities shifting, and new routines being forced upon her, Marcella feels like she's getting left behind whilst everyone else is growing up. I loved her arc of growing into her own person and accepting help once she finally admitted that she needed it. The art style was a bit inconsistent, but usually the expressions were on point.

i actually think this book is so adorable!! honestly it reminds me a lot of when i was growing up in elementary/middle school, LOVE the nostalgia!!! it’s so sweet and i love the representation of characters and ADHD, since it can be so different in many different people and this will help break the stigma!! LOVED THIS ADORABLE BOOK!!!

This character has an incredible narrative voice that is sure to pull kids in straight away. Almost immediately the book shares an incredible visual depiction of anxiety and overwhelm that is unbelievably relatable as someone who has struggled before. Kids having a difficult time with the transition out of elementary school or being overworked in general are sure to see themselves in this main character, and find solace in that representation.

3.75
I had the chance to read this book through my NetGallery shelf and I really enjoyed it! I imagine it would be a great read for a child trying to learn more about their own struggles or get perspective on what their peers might be facing. The art was well done and the story had a sweet ending.

Marcella just started 6th grade, and already, things are going south. The bus? Homework? A move? Friends growing apart? It's all too much! She finds that she has trouble keeping track of everything that goes on despite her best efforts, and she doesn't know why. Is something just wrong with her?

This comic is a sweet coming of age story of a girl with undiagnosed ADHD. As someone who didn't get diagnosed until adulthood, I found a lot of the content relatable. My favorite part was a quote from Marcella where, in reaction to other's thinking, she finally had a handle on things, she thought, "Sure. I'm on track. But I feel like a train is coming towards me." This line hit me like, well, a train. It described exactly how I often felt as a child.

The comic's art quality varied throughout. In the beginning, I felt like the characters were stiff with repetitive expressions that left me wondering if their face was frozen that way. People's heads felt shoved into panels where just showing the item being discussed would have been more effective. However, by the end, these problems no longer show up. The comic was loose and flowed easily from one panel to the next. The characters felt more lifelike and dynamic.

I didn’t love the illustration style. The story was fine but it felt like so many other graphic novels out there.

I really liked this graphic novel. I think it depicted the struggles of having ADHD in middle school very well and I think that Marcella is a character that many middle schoolers will relate to. I also think that telling this story in a graphic novel makes it accessible to kids who might have difficulty paying attention to a longer book.

Marcella has a nice life; a cozy apartment in a building where her friends Jen Chu, Nigel McNamara, and Jonah Williams live, two dads who love and support her, and a love of writing. As 6th grade starts, however, things are getting difficult. She can never remember to catch her bus at 6:45 a.m., often getting distracted by things in her room. She struggles to pay attention to class, and is embarrassed when her teachers call her out after they have asked her to participate several times. Her best friend Jen is starting to think that boys are cute, and caring about what she wears to school, instead of thinking about the books that she and Marcella liked to role play when they were younger. On top of everything else, her dads are moving the family to the apartment across the hallway because it is bigger and has better sunlight and a balcony. When a teacher she likes assigns a 500 word personal essay on any topic, Marcella can't think of a thing to write about, even though she has enjoyed making journal entries, and her teacher has been complementary about her writing. Jen is increasingly involved in ballet, and even though her friends and parents try to help her with the writing assignment, Marcella always gets distracted by something else, doesn't do the work, and gets even more stressed. She even misses Jen's ballet recital because she is trying to get work done on the project. Eventually, Ms. Kimani calls home and tells Marcella's dads what she is seeing in school. Marcella admits that she is struggling, and is lucky enough to get an appointment with a therapist, who helps her.
Strengths: Even though middle school classwork and homework isn't that hard, students have struggled in recent years, so Marcella's experiences in this graphic novel will resonate with many readers. It was good to see that her fathers supported her, and immediately got her into counseling when a teacher brought her struggles to their attention. It's good to see portrayals of students living in apartments, and Marcella's building sounds like a great place to be. Alexander's artwork is brightly colored and similar to other artists like Telgemeier, Galligan, and Fajardo, but is different enough to be unique. The cover is very appealing and shows the mood of the book right away.
Weaknesses: Young readers who have had to move to other states or countries will have little sympathy for Marcella's move across the hallway. It would have been informative to see Marcella prior to middle school, because her prevailing mood is so miserable.
What I really think: An author's note states that Marcella is based on characters that Alexander has drawn over a number of years, and that her story is based on his own struggles with ADHD. He didn't see stories that reflected his experience when he was growing up. Now, every other middle grade book is about a character with anxiety, so this would be a good choice for readers who enjoyed Libenson's Invisible Emmie, Scrivan's Nat Enough, or Vivat's Frazzled. Most of the characters like Marcella are female, so it would have been nice to see another book with a male character with these struggles, like Todd's Timid. Alexander's Other Boys is another look at his difficult middle school years.

This will be an automatic purchase for my library. The art style, the plot, the character development. It is perfect for my library. I am so thankful I was able to get an advanced copy of this. Thank you!

I loved this. I picked it up as another graphic novel to help my NetGalley score (thanks for the ARC), but really fell in love with this. My emotions were impacted by everything Marcella was feeling and I felt anxious and sad with her. I also ended up getting teary, even though I had an idea where this was heading. I’m so glad a book like this is coming out and hope a ton of kids pick it up.

Marcella is just your average 6th grader. Middle school means new obstacles to overcome. Between all the changes, including a new schedule to keep track of, her bestie getting new friends, and moving, this would be too much for anyone, let alone a 12-year-old. Marcella finds it difficult to balance all these scary changes, which leaves her feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Follow this kiddo’s journey through middle school. This one would be good for any new 6th graders and their parents.

#ThxNetGalley #DamianAlexander #AbsolutelyEverything

Absolutely Everything by Damian Alexander is a bright, engaging graphic novel that instantly grabs readers' attention with its attractive colors and expressive illustrations. The artwork doesn’t just add visual appeal—it also plays a big role in helping readers understand the main character, Marcella. Marcella has ADHD and often feels overwhelmed, and the way Alexander uses speech bubbles to show how she “zones out” is both creative and powerful. Readers get a firsthand look at how distracting sounds and small annoyances can make it hard for her to focus, which will resonate with many young people who have similar experiences.

This book also offers important and inclusive representation. Marcella has two dads, and their loving and supportive relationship is woven naturally into the story, providing positive LGBTQ family visibility. Through humor, heart, and honest storytelling, Absolutely Everything helps readers better understand themselves and others—whether they’re navigating ADHD, growing up with a unique family, or just trying to make sense of the world. It's a great addition to any middle school library.

Absolutely Everything is about a young girl, Marcella, who just started middle school. She finds everything much more overwhelming than before, and her struggles make her think of herself as someone not as good as others. She frequently forgets assignments, dates, even though she tries her very best to remember. She also spaces out when people talk to or around her, getting lost in her thoughts instead.

First of all, I really appreciate how this book was written. Marcella's life isn't perfect, even after she finds out she has ADHD and takes steps to manage it. I've had a few friends who have ADHD, either diagnosed or just suspected by parents, and they do act a lot like Marcella. Everything they've told me about how overwhelmed they find things, and how hard they try to keep up with all that's going on -- this book described kids dealing with ADHD perfectly.

The plot and storyline is about what you'd expect for a middle-grade graphic novel. Most of the setting takes place at Marcella's school and in her house. Marcella deals with several things at a time -- increased assignments, moving to a new apartment, friend/social troubles, and, more importantly, discovering how her brain works and how she can embrace herself fully.
I felt like the ending was phrased really well -- not as a definite, "and they lived happily ever after" kind of ending, but more of a hopeful ending. Things may not get much better, but at least Marcella knows how to handle them now. There are still as many school assignments as ever, and it hasn't exactly gotten easier to be friends, or to get used to a new apartment; but now, Marcella has the tools and mindset that are perfect for all those tasks.

Content: Clean. It's perfectly suitable for middle-grade readers. There are no curse words, explicit scenes, or violent scenes. Also, Marcella has two dads and no mom living with them, but I don't think LGBT+ plays a big part in the story other than just the fact that she has two dads instead of a mom and a dad. I don't really like reading LGBT+ stuff, but in this instance I was willing to let it slide because it wasn't a huge part of the plot.

Marcella is having trouble in 6th grade. As so often happens, her best friend has a new best friend. She has trouble concentrating in class, and all the noises, and things around her throw her off. She has trouble concentrating. And then, to completely mess her up, her two dads find a better apartment in their complex, and decide to move. They figure it is so much better that Marcella won’t mind. She’ll have a better room. More light. All the good things.

So, why then does she hate her new room, and why can’t she concentrate?

Marcella spirals more and more, but since she doesn’t know why she is feeling the way she does, she has no idea how to reach out for help.

This graphic novel had me crying, which is actually a good sign that it is hitting all the right notes.

The author said that he wrote this story because he went through the same thing, but there was no story like this, when he was feeling this way. He wrote stories based on this main character, to help him cope. In the afterward he has pictures he drew of Marcella throughout his school life.

Very moving, funny, sad, and true feeling.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 9th of September 2025.

A brilliant look at a young girl who started her year as a sixth grader. The main character leads readers on an exploration of her own inner world as she navigates classes, assignments, and friendships.