Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

Flint hates middle school. All he wants to do is draw the comic book adventures of his superhero, Squint. Flint once liked school and was popular, but that changed when he developed an eye disease that made him lose most of his sight and all his friends. Unfortunately, everyone calls him Squint because he constantly squints behind his thick glasses. Luckily, Flint found purpose in creating his comic book. One day at lunch, a girl named McKell sits by Flint and asks him to complete some random challenges with her. Intrigued, Flint helps McKell even though his eye sight is getting steadily worse. However, through accomplishing these challenges with McKell, Flint learns to find his inner superhero and face down the villain of his self-doubt.

There are two unique ways Morris and Brown have set their story apart. First is that throughout the book Flint shares his life’s lessons by listing humorous yet insightful rules for surviving middle school, understanding relationships, and crafting comic books. Finally, chapters jump from Flint’s real-life challenges to the conflicts the superhero, Squint, faces. At the beginning of the book, Flint retreats from his own trials. Instead he tackles them by turning them into super villains and having Squint fight out a resolution. When McKell enters Flint’s life, Squint’s comic book story changes by including a sidekick, Diamond. Diamond watches Squint’s back and gives him a clearer perspective to the people he once viewed as villains. As Flint grows in confidence and strength, so does Squint. Any fans of comic books and contemporary fiction will enjoy this heartfelt and insightful middle-grade read.

Check out the authors' Blog Tour going on for their book!

Mustaches for Maddie by Char Morris and Shelly Brown

Maddie is confident in her ready humor and explosive imagination. However, Maddie isn’t so confident in her friendship with Cassie, the most popular girl in her class. Some of Maddie’s insecurities stem from her arm not laying straight. As this problem worsens, Maddie’s mother takes her to the doctor. Several tests later, Maddie is told she has a brain tumor and it must be removed immediately. Maddie is frightened by the operation, but her family and countless friends comfort her, except for Cassie. Cassie believes Maddie is making up the tumor to get attention. After Maddie’s risky procedure and recovery, she returns to school but excludes Cassie from her friends. However, Maddie sees signs that Cassie is going through several difficult situations and no one has been there to help.

Mustaches for Maddie is based on the true story of the authors’ daughter Maddie. Even though Maddie is diagnosed with a tumor, she knows she is more than her physical ailments. She has her ready wit, caring attitude, colossal imagination, and her stash of mustaches which brightens everyone around her, except for Cassie. Cassie doesn’t like getting attention taken away from herself. This, sadly, turns Cassie into a bully. But like Maddie looking past her illness to see her true self, Maddie looks past Cassie’s bullying to see the real pain behind Cassie’s negative choices. Once Maddie does this and helps others to do the same, healing and hope can freely flow between the two girls. A hilarious yet touching read will inspire others to face their challenges and bullies with a hot-pink mustache.