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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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