Very Bad at Math

Gr 4-8–Life seems perfect for friendly, ambitious, and effortlessly cool eighth grader Verity “Very” Nelson: she’s student body president, with her best friend Bree at her side as vice president, and she’s acing every class—except for math. In fact, she’s failing miserably, and if she doesn’t turn things around, she risks losing her spot on student council. Her troubles multiply when she’s placed in a small, experimental math pod with Lucille, Bree’s ex-best friend who is the only one immune to Very’s charm. Determined to handle everything alone, Very keeps her struggles a secret, ashamed to admit she’s failing at something for the first time. The characters in this graphic novel are wonderfully engaging—relatable and consistently likable. Larson approaches Very’s dyscalculia diagnosis with care, avoiding over-dramatization as Very accepts her diagnosis with resilience and embraces strategies that help her better understand how her brain works. The illustrations are vibrant and dynamic, capturing the positive mood of the story. Very has pale skin and red hair while Bree and Lucille have brown and light brown skin tones, respectively, bringing welcome inclusivity to the novel. Very’s journey is not just about academic success but also about learning to rely on others and genuinely listening instead of feeling the constant need to have all the answers.