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The Year I Stopped Drawing: An Illustrated Novel-In-Verse

by Grant Snider

Art, identity, and a difficult school year

Critically Recognized
Regular price $18.12 USD
Regular price $30.21 USD Sale price $18.12 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    Praise from librarian and author John Schu

    John Schu praises the book’s writing, design, illustrations, and poetry, and says it captivated him.

AlbakiReads Editorial

Art, identity, and a difficult school year

Adam has long been known for drawing, but family conflict, bullying, and the arrival of another artist at school unsettle his place in the world. Told as an illustrated novel-in-verse, the story links his changing circumstances with a central question of identity: what remains when a defining passion begins to fade? Its middle-grade setting brings that uncertainty into the pressures of seventh grade, while art and perfectionism frame Adam’s struggle to make sense of change.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Middle-grade readers interested in stories about school, family tensions, or bullying.
  • Readers who enjoy illustrated fiction in verse.
  • Young artists or readers thinking about creativity, perfectionism, and identity.

Themes

Art and creativityPerfectionismIdentityFamily conflict and bullyingChange during adolescence

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

From nationally bestselling author and artist Grant Snider comes a powerful and inventive middle-grade illustrated novel-in-verse about overcoming perfectionism, discovering the power of art, and surviving seventh grade

"A beautifully written, designed, and illustrated story! Grant Snider's poetry sings and captivated my heart on every page! I couldn't put it down! Buy it. Read it. Share it!" --John Schu, librarian and New York Times bestselling author of Louder Than Hunger

Adam has always been the kid who could draw. But this year, everything feels off.

His parents are fighting. A bully is picking on him. There's a new artist in school. His life is changing . . . faster than he can keep up.

As Adam's world turns upside down, he can feel his love of drawing slipping away. But who is Adam without art?

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Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
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Olivia

Smooth.