The Year I Stopped Drawing

From nationally bestselling author and artist Grant Snider comes a moving and inventive middle-grade illustrated novel in verse about overcoming perfectionism and discovering who you are

Adam has always been the kid who could draw. Art is how he expresses himself and finds confidence and control. But this year, everything feels off. His parents are fighting, a bully is picking on him, and there’s a new better artist in school. As Adam’s world turns upside down, he can feel his love of drawing slipping away. But who is Adam without art? On one particularly bad day, Adam ends up in the guidance counselor’s office with an assignment: try something new, even if you’re bad at it. Maybe especially if you’re bad at it. 

At first, Adam doesn’t see much point in squeaking through band rehearsal or slogging through track. But slowly, like a Picasso painting, Adam gains a new perspective: maybe everyone is more complicated than they originally seem—including himself. And maybe being the best is not as important as just being Adam.

From nationally bestselling author and artist Grant Snider comes a powerful and inventive middle-grade illustrated novel-in-verse about overcoming perfectionism, discovering the power of art, and surviving seventh grade.