Popcorn: Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing 2026

A heartfelt and laugh-out-loud-funny story about letting go of control and accepting help, interspersed with Rob Harrell's amazing spot art and comic panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD, as well as real tips for coping. Andrew's just trying to get through school photo day with one aim: a photo of him which his mum will like. But today of all days, the world seems out to get him. There's a bully, the science experiment gone wrong, scary news about his grandmother, and someone else's juice snot (don't ask). Andrew struggles with anxiety, and the little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter . . . Can he make it through the day without popping?