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Dear Jackie

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( 177 ratings, 56 reviews)
Brief Description
A middle schooler’s plan to fit in with her new friends by writing herself a fake love letter backfires spectacularly in this funny and all-too-relatable graphic novel, perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and the Berrybrook Middle School series. Dear Jackie follows Jackie and Milo, who... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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When middle schooler Jackie writes herself a fake love letter in an attempt take her new friends' attention off her love life, she accidentally attracts the attention of the entire school; for fans of Raina Telgemeier and the Berrybrook Middle School series.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A middle schooler’s plan to fit in with her new friends by writing herself a fake love letter backfires spectacularly in this funny and all-too-relatable graphic novel, perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and the Berrybrook Middle School series.

Dear Jackie follows Jackie and Milo, who have been best friends since they were born. Whether they’re reading comic books in their tree house hideout, playing video games, or spying on their neighbours using walkie-talkies and code names, it’s always been the two of them versus the world. But in middle school, things are changing.

Milo joins the soccer team and starts hanging out with a new crew. Jackie gets taken under the wing of Adelle, who wants to give her a total makeover and find her a crush. Suddenly, it seems like there are certain acceptable ways to be a girl or a boy, and Jackie starts to feel like everything about her is wrong.

In an effort to get Adelle and her new friends off her back, Jackie sends herself an anonymous love letter. But her plan backfires, and soon Jackie’s secret admirer is all anybody at school can talk about. Now she’s wondering: Dear Jackie, how are you going to get out of this?

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781534496576

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 October 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Illustration: f-c coated (cvr spfx: spot gloss)

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Aaron Bagley

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 558g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Jessixa Bagley is a children’s book author-illustrator with a background in fine art and comics. She has had work featured in publications such as New American Paintings, Highlights Magazine, The Stranger, and Illustoria Magazine. She’s also the author of the middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie (illustrated by Aaron Bagley) and the author-illustrator of the middle grade graphic novel series Jazzy the Witch. Jessixa is a two-time Washington State Book Award recipient; first in 2016 for her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, and again in 2024 for her graphic novel, Duel. Jessixa also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for picture book Laundry Day. Many of her books are Junior Library Guild Selections. In her work, she’s drawn to animals and emotional themes often inspired by her own experiences. Jessixa also teaches and speaks about writing and illustration. She often illustrates for other writers and artistically collaborates with her husband, Aaron Bagley. Jessixa lives in Seattle with her husband and son.

Aaron Bagley is an illustrator, painter, and comics artist. He loves to draw from observation, life experiences, and his dreams and has filled more than 225 sketchbooks with his drawings. Over the years he’s illustrated for numerous organizations including 826 Seattle as well as being featured in publications like The Virginia Quarterly ReviewThe Stranger, The Seattle Review of Books, and many more. He’s a frequent contributor to the Illustoria Magazine for both writing and illustration. Aaron also collaborates with his wife, Jessixa. Together, they’ve created picture book Vincent Comes Home and middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie. Aaron received a 2024 Washington State Book Award for illustrating Duel. He lives in Seattle with his wife and son.

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