Fruitcake
(Four Eyes #3)

This graphic novel absolutely gives Heartstopper vibes for the middle school set, with young teens learning some important lessons with a little less accompanying grit as bullies swiftly get their comeuppance and families are supportive... A prescient story for current times.

Unlike the namesake holiday dessert, this is a fruitcake that will likely leave middle-grade readers satisfied and wanting more.

Funny, sad, goofy, and poignant; a winner.

"Once again, Ogle and Valeza empathically capture Rex's coming-of-age; their ending author's and artist's notes add inviting, intimate poignancy."

Gr 6-8--In the third installment of the "Four Eyes" series, Rex is navigating crushes and self-image. Eight grade starts with all of Rex's friends paired off in couples, and he often feels like a third wheel. To make matters worse, he is confused about his own feelings for new student Charlotte and former BFF Drew. As his family struggles financially, Rex begins babysitting, which brings him a bit of cash, to be spent on clothes that fit him. Although bullies abound in his school, Rex is inspired by Nina, a confident classmate who shows him that others' opinions don't really matter. With fluctuating friendships, mistakes, secrets, and often bewildering thoughts, Rex learns who he is and what he's made of. Ogle and Valeza have added an astutely poignant exploration of identity and sexuality to their successful series. The loneliness of feeling different, of experiencing attraction that is not reciprocated, permeates this beautiful story, largely based on the author's own life. There is a list of LGBTQIA+ resources at the back of the book, as well as notes from both the author and the illustrator. This book will resonate with readers navigating the challenging life stage that is middle school. VERDICT A triumphant addition to an already excellent series, highly recommended for middle school collections and libraries.--Carolina Youssif

Copyright 2026 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

As his friends start showing interest in romance, an eighth grader considers his own sexuality in this candid graphic novel memoir from previous collaborators Ogle and Valeza (Pizza Face). Struggling to understand his peers' perspective on love and feeling left out, Ogle confides in his divorced mother, who cautions, "Don't be in a rush to fall in love, Rex. It'll just bring you heartache." Despite her advice, Ogle--impressed by bold new girl Charlotte's defending a classmate from homophobic bullies--asks Charlotte to be his date for homecoming. And though Ogle enjoys spending time with her, he finds himself drawn to his athletic friend, Drew. The protagonist's confusion surrounding his differing feelings for Charlotte and Drew is compounded by Ogle's encounters with an anti-gay preacher at Abuelita's church and the realization that Drew wants to kiss Ogle--but only in secret. Figure-focused illustrations rendered in saturated earth tones dial in on 1990s nostalgia and small-town Texas vibes. Humor-laced dialogue adds levity to nuanced portrayals of one middle schooler's grappling with his sexuality alongside other sensitively considered interpretations of tweens exploring self-image and families contending with financial insecurity. Characters are depicted with various body types and skin tones. Ages 10-12. (Apr.)

Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.