Tony Weaver Jr. Joins Us on Episode 2 of “Reading in the Middle”! Mental health activist and influencer Tony Weaver, Jr. has always called himself the weird kid. In his debut graphic novel Weirdo, he’s written what he calls the nerdy kid’s instruction manual for self-love and self-confidence. It is an unforgettable memoir chronicling his journey to accepting what makes him weird. Tony Weaver, Jr. is an award-winning writer and educator creating diverse stories that make young people feel seen and valued. Tony saw the impact that media stereotypes had on students in his community. He then embarked on a journey to create new media narratives. His goal was to challenge the status quo.
From rising star Tony Weaver, Jr. comes a middle-grade graphic novel memoir about an awkward preteen who loves everything geeky. This preteen struggles with mental health issues and self-doubt. It is perfect for fans of Jerry Craft’s New Kid.
Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he’s a weirdo. Tony is bullied by his peers. He struggles with the hurt of not being accepted. He tries to conform to other people’s expectations. A traumatic event shakes him to his core. He embarks on a journey of self-love. This journey must require him to become the hero of his own story.
Weirdo is a triumphant story. It is witty and comedic. It is for any kid who’s ever felt awkward. It is for those who have felt left out, or like they don’t belong. It is an adolescent survival guide that will give every reader the confidence to make it to the other side.
Accolades:
• Featured on the Top Ten list of the Fall 2024 Preview of Middle-Grade Comics &
Graphic Novels (Publishers Weekly)
• Starred reviews from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly
• Ranking number 1. It is also ranked number 2 on Amazon’s New Release List. This is for Children’s Biography Comics.
Until then, keep reading and exploring the wonderful world of middle-grade literature!
Happy reading,
Annisha