For the child who struggles with big emotions or navigating social rivalries, this graphic novel explores the challenges of expressing strong opinions.
A parent might reach for this book when their child has recently been diagnosed with ADHD or is struggling with focus, impulsivity, and feeling different from their peers. This graphic memoir follows the author, Tyler, as he navigates elementary and middle school after his diagnosis in the early 90s. The book honestly portrays his challenges with school, friendships, and the trial-and-error process of finding the right medication and coping strategies. For ages 9-12, "Button Pusher" is a validating and often humorous story that normalizes the experience of having a neurodivergent brain. It's a perfect conversation starter that helps kids feel seen and understood, while also building empathy in others.
The book's primary topic is neurodiversity (ADHD). The approach is direct and autobiographical. It discusses medical diagnosis and the use of prescription medication (Ritalin) in a straightforward, secular, and destigmatizing way, including showing negative side effects. The resolution is realistic and hopeful: ADHD is not “cured,” but Tyler learns to understand himself and develop strategies for success, ending on a note of self-acceptance.
Ideal Reader
A 9 to 12-year-old who has ADHD or another learning difference and feels misunderstood. It is especially powerful for a child who has just been diagnosed and is starting to process what that means for their identity. It’s also an excellent read for siblings and friends to build empathy.
Parent Prep
Parents should read the author's note at the end, as it provides excellent context. Be prepared to discuss medication. The book is frank about the side effects Tyler experienced (loss of appetite, feeling emotionally flat) and the process of finding the right dose. The book can be read cold, but a follow-up conversation will be very beneficial. The parent just received a diagnosis for their child and wants a way to open a conversation about it. Or, the parent heard their child say something like, “Why am I like this?” or “My brain won’t slow down.”
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will connect with the relatable school scenarios, the visual metaphors for how an ADHD brain feels, and the friendship struggles. An older reader (11-12) will grasp the more nuanced themes of identity, self-advocacy, and the complex feelings surrounding taking medication to function in a neurotypical world.
What Makes It Special
As a graphic memoir, it uses the visual medium to brilliantly convey the internal, often chaotic, experience of ADHD. Unlike clinical guides or more issue-driven fiction, its personal, historical (90s setting), and humorous perspective makes the topic incredibly accessible and humanizing.
Read plot summary
This graphic memoir follows author Tyler Page’s childhood in the early 1990s after he is diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Tyler struggles with focus in school, controlling his impulses, and navigating social dynamics. The narrative details his and his family’s journey through the process of diagnosis, therapy, and finding the right dosage of Ritalin, all while Tyler tries to manage friendships and his passion for drawing.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Tyler uses drawings like the 'focus dial' to show how his brain feels. If you were to draw a picture of your brain at school, what would it look like?
2
When Tyler starts taking medication, his friends say he's 'no fun' and he worries about not being himself. Have you ever felt like you had to change to fit in? How did that feel?
3
Tyler's parents and doctor try many different things to help him. What is one thing a grown-up did in the book that you think was helpful, and one thing that wasn't?
4
The title 'Button Pusher' refers to video games but also to how Tyler sometimes annoys people. Why do you think he sometimes pushed people's buttons, and what did he learn about it?
