New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia has returned with a middle-grade graphic novel about the struggles of a game-loving girl who gets diagnosed with dyslexia, and the loving support network that help her along in the journey.
MIXED-UP
by Kami Garcia
illustrated by Brittney Williams
Macmillan, January 2025
(via Writers House)
Stella knows fifth grade will be the best year ever. Her closest friends, Emiko and Latasha, are in her class and they all got the teacher they wanted. Then their favorite television show, Witchlins, announces a new guidebook and an online game!
But when the classwork starts piling up, Stella struggles to stay on top. Why does it take her so long to read? And how can she keep up with friends in the Witchlins game if she can’t get through the text-heavy guidebook? And when she can’t deal with the text-heavy Witchlins guidebook, she can’t keep up with her friends in the game. It takes loving teachers and her family to recognize that Stella has a learning difference, and after a dyslexia diagnosis she gets the support and tools she needs to succeed.
Bestselling author Kami Garcia was inspired to write this special book by her daughter’s dyslexia journey; her own neurodivergent experience; and the many students she taught over the years. With subtle design and formatting choices making this story accessible to all readers, MIXED-UP shows that our differences don’t need to separate us
Kami Garcia is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and international bestselling author and comic book writer, and an award-winning young adult novelist. Her best-known works include Beautiful Creatures, Unbreakable, and Teen Titans: Raven. Kami was a teacher and reading specialist for seventeen years before co-writing her first novel. Kami lives in Maryland with her family and their dogs, Spike and Oz.
Brittney Williams is a storyboard and comic book artist who draws A LOT. In 2012 she interned at Walt Disney Animation Studios as a storyboard artist. Since then, she’s worked for a variety of animation studios and publishers including DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks TV, BOOM! Studios and Marvel Comics. As a two time GLAAD award nominee, she exists to create things for kids and the queer community.