Squished

Gr 3-6–Avery Lee is the second oldest in a Korean American family of seven kids. She loves her siblings but feels overwhelmed by them, like when her teenage brother seems extra grumpy or when her sister keeps her up at night. When Theo gets his own room, a disappointed Avery presents a plan to her parents for why she needs her own space. Even when the plan doesn’t fly and toddler Max gets added to her room, Avery pivots to earning money to build her own bedroom in the basement. Between adventures in dog walking and lemonade selling, her goals are upended when Theo lets it slip that they might be moving to Oregon. Avery’s emotions about the potential move impact her family life, her friendships, and her art. Through the story, Avery tries to create a piece for the art fair and uses her art to center herself in the ruckus of the Lee family. While the story is focused on Avery’s relationship with her brothers and sisters, there are also plenty of relatable friendship dynamics, as when her friend Dani makes a new close friend over the summer. Avery’s plights are amusing and approachable, with art from Nutter that is gentle and light-filled. The chaos and love of the house is captured adroitly in the panels.