by Emily Howse
Reviews
"Howse provides a believable look at many common teenage problems, treating issues such as self-esteem, body image, divorce, and personal relationships. At times funny as well as heart-wrenching, Zitface conveys a wonderful message that people are not always what they seem and offers a story that readers can connect with and from which they can draw hope." "Flaw? Nope, I don't have any. It's simple yet very entertaining. (ZITFACE) also sends us a great deal of moral lessons that will truly help you to survive growing up. Dealing (with) problems, learning from mistakes and giving forgiveness and a lot more. I admire and salute Emily Howse's Zitface!” Marrion, www.palmbooksjournal.blogspot.com "Zitface is a fantastic read for young girls entering puberty and experiencing the dreaded acne. Howse did a fabulous job adding bullying into this entertaining, fast-paced read. This is a great book for tweens and teens alike, as it lightly touches on tough topics that our youth deal with regularly." "This book teaches a valuable lesson for all girls going through changes in their life and who are struggling to find out what is truly important. The fun, cute and comedic cover perfectly shows the readers what a treat they are in for. I extremely recommend this book."
School Library Journal
"Severe acne can be painful and embarrassing to any teen, but the situation is especially calamitous for 13-year-old TV-commercial actress Olivia Hughes. She's just sealed the deal on a national advertising campaign to be the next Wacky Water Girl, and J.W., the hottest eighth-grader, has finally noticed her. Her agent is pushy, her workaholic dad has relocated after her parents' divorce, her regretful mother tries to relive missed opportunities through Olivia's acting and Olivia has regular tiffs with her once-best friends....J.W.'s freshman cousin, Theo, who has rheumatoid arthritis, helps her find perspective and self-acceptance."
Kirkus Book Reviews
"...Howse takes a look at several big issues for teens: the desire to look perfect, the fear of rejection by your friends and others if you don’t, getting acne, having a first boyfriend, and dealing with recently divorced parents. It’s a lot to tackle in a novel, but Howse does a nice job of taking the reader into Olivia’s world. In the end, she has to decide what’s really important to her, and let go of what’s not. Mother-daughter book clubs with girls aged 11 to 14 should find lots to talk about."
"Zitface 
Jennifer, www.authorexposure.com
"Acne isn't the only issue covered in the novel; it's joined by puberty, first dates, middle school gossip, divorce, parent-child relationships, and a bit of bullying....this book is perfect for middle school girls who are dealing with many of the issues being covered. To you parents still watching what your daughters read, did I also mention that this is a completely clean read?"
Susanna, www.susie-bookworm.blogspot.com
"I really like how the plot always adds some sort of twist, just when you think it's ending perfectly, to shake up the story. This is an amazing debut for Middle Grade and Young Adult readers by Emily Howse....Her writing is quick, enthralling, and will have you giggling at hilarious dialogues and wincing at painful acne treatments."
Rabiah, www.iliveforreading.blogspot.com
"Zitface is just a book every teen girl who loves to read a fun book instantly will love! I adored this book, it was just cute and fantastic and so funny! It is a fast paced and quick read with fun main characters…this book is just a great debut!"
Marjolein Balm, www.marjoleinbookblog.blogspot.com
"Zitface is (a) fresh, fun and easy read.…a book that I would definitely pick up for my teenage daughter (if I ever have one)."
Savannah, www.bookswithbite.com
"In this sweet tween debut, Emily Howse tackles some tough issues with poise and humor...readers looking for something cute, contemporary, and girlie should definitely give ZITFACE a read."
E. Kristin Anderson, www.ekristinanderson.com
"Zitface is a fantastic read for teens and those who feel young at heart. Filled with realistic characters, emotions and situations, Zitface is a highly entertaining read. It's short, sweet and really fun."
Kai, www.amaterasureads.blogspot.com
Jennifer, www.booknoise411.blogspot.com
Maya, www.yabookscentral.com
"ZITFACE is a fresh, empathic and wonderful realistic read....I genuinely appreciate how Olivia developed throughout the story. From being a girl who let herself be controlled she learned how to break-free, be confident and follow her own lead. I'm giving Zitface a solid 4 of 5 stars for its believable story and characters. I recommend this to everyone!"
Mia, www.girlaboutbooks.blogspot.com
"I liked that it was written so you could really understand Olivia and her emotions, and you could feel sympathetic with her."
Cat, www.books4hearts.blogspot.com
"As someone who has been called zitface (more than once!), I really enjoyed Emily Howse's debut novel. It's a realistic portrayal of how acne can affect one's self-esteem, even with the most down-to-earth people. A sympathetic read with a happy ending!"
Lauren, Mrs. Nelson's Toy & Bookshop, www.mrs.nelsons.com
"This is a realistic perspective into how it feels to be a teenager with acne....this novel should be placed in the hands of all youth both with acne and without....throughout this novel we witness Olivia fall and find her way back onto her feet. Definitely give this a read."
Jess, www.sheknownasjess.blogspot.com
"The novel is engrossing, well done, and has a great girl character...."
Big Apple Agency
"Zitface is a very relatable book because during the teen years, acne will constantly make you break out, at least, for some of us. I like the determination she (Olivia) has to continue to be in commercials...you can see how serious and committed she is."
Ivy, www.ivyreads.blogspot.com
"(Zitface) tracks Olivia's roller coaster ride as she and her mother try to find a way to conquer the skin eruptions and Olivia sorts out her sense of self, decides who her real friends are and finally figures out exactly which guy is her true white knight. The story reads like a day in middle school with ever-changing relationships, angst and the always present search for identity..."
Barb, www.abookandahug.com
"...I thought it was a very quick read and a good lesson! Would recommend to any girl to teach them that looks don't matter but it's what's on the inside that counts."
Patch 1, www.shelfari.com
"I really liked how this book showed the shallowness of the media and our society. Also like the fact that the main character isn't snobby despite the fact that she's been in commercials. A good, wholesome book."
Kim Childress, Children's Book Reviewer
"Love the main character in this one--life is pretty sucky for her right now but she realizes there are people who have it much worse, so she doesn't come across as whiny. Younger YA novel that's a good choice for middle school girls...."
Lynne Kelly, Children's Author
"ZITFACE is a young girl's realization that certain things in life are more important than others. She has to decide just what she wants from life. This is a very intriguing book with fabulous characters. I liked how the girl in the book seemed so normal even though she did commercials. There was no room in ZITFACE for disappointment!"
Hannah, 17