Peeves

Gr 4–7—Twelve-year-old "Slim" Pickings, who is living with anxiety, is starting at a new middle school after the divorce of his constantly sniping parents. His first day exceeds his worst expectations when an accident exposes him to a supposed anxiety remedy that actually brings his worries to fuzzy life. The treatment, called Personal Vexation Zoners (PVZ), causes Slim to sneeze fluffy critters that only he can see—and the critters have plenty to say. Their outbursts are occasionally funny but also painful or embarrassing, as they clamor that "he has no friends," "he stepped in gum," or "he pees in the shower!" Slim dubs them his "peeves" and discovers they are contagious. Now with his entire family and town under siege by peeves, Slim realizes the annoying creatures of Phase One of PVZ may be preferable to what comes with Phases Two and Three. There is more substance to this book that the cover may suggest. Van Waes perfectly captures the impact of divorce and mental health issues on family members. Slim nails the descriptions of his panic attacks and anxiety and is a likable character with a wicked sense of humor. His peeves are not unique to him and his worries will resonate with readers. Slim speaks for many tweens, not just those with anxiety, when he asks his parents to "spend less time trying to fix me and more time trying to understand me."