Very Bad at Math (A Very Graphic Novel #1) by Hope Larson
Published by Harper Alley on January 21, 2025
ISBN: 0063311283
Genres: Learning Disabilities, Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Humorous
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Verity “Very” Nelson is an overachieving 8th grader who cheerfully and enthusiastically succeeds at everything she does. Almost. She wins her bid for re-election to class president and all seems to be going well until the principal calls her in to tell Very she will have to step down from the post if she doesn’t improve her math grade. Embarrassed, Very goes out of her way to hide the fact she’s failing math and having to take special tutoring during study hall, rather than trusting her family and friends to understand and support her. When the tutoring doesn’t seem to be helping, things get worse, causing Very to stress out and mess up a fundraising order for t-shirts. Amazingly, that mistake provides an important clue her math tutor needs to finally realize Very has dyscalculia. Similarly to dyslexia, people with dyscalculia mix up numbers, rather than letters. Once her learning disorder is properly diagnosed, Very gets the help she needs and trusts those closest to her with the truth, vastly improving her life at school and at home.

This graphic novel does a beautiful job of portraying the anxieties that may surround learning disabilities and the many ways family, friends, and learning professionals can be supportive. Suggested for ages 8-12 years old.  Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library