Breakout Author Christina Wyman Interview | Middle Grade Book Release 2026

From Reading in The Middle by Annisha Jeffries

March 11, 2026 · 51 min · Season 3 · Episode 10

About this episode

Annisha Jeffries interviews bestselling author Christina Wyman about her new middle-grade novel, Breakout, exploring themes of confidence and adolescence.

Today on  Reading in the Middle , I’m joined by USA Today–bestselling author Christina Wyman to celebrate the release of her latest middle-grade novel, *Breakout*. In this touching and funny story, we meet Ellis Starr — an eighth grader who loves studying active volcanoes but dislikes that her acne looks like one. As Ellis handles breakouts, changing friendships, complex family issues, and a big school project, she starts to question what it really means to feel confident in her own skin. During our chat, Christina discusses:   • Why she focused on acne in a middle-grade novel   • How humor and vulnerability work hand in hand on the page   • Crafting nuanced parent-child relationships   • The emotional reality of middle school   • How  *Breakout*  connects to her previous books, Jawbreaker and Slouch This episode is perfect for teachers, librarians, caregivers, and anyone who remembers the feelings of being thirteen, erupting inside and out. ✨  Breakout  is available now wherever books are sold. 🌐 Learn more about Christina and her works at:  christinawymanbooks.com If you love middle-grade stories that explore the full…

People in this episode

Host: Annisha Jeffries

Guest: Christina Wyman

Topics covered

middle-grade novels
author interview
confidence
adolescence
family relationships

Keywords

middle-grade
Christina Wyman
Breakout
confidence
adolescence
family issues
humor
acne

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Breakout, Jawbreaker, Slouch

Places: USA