Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube TikTok
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Advertise
    • Mentorship
    • Editing Services
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Made You Up, by Francesca Zappia | Book Review

    Guest PostsBy Guest Posts3 Mins Read Books with Girl Characters Chapter Books Health Teens: Young Adults
    Made You Up
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review | December 10, 2015

    Made You UpMade You Up

    Written by Francesca Zappia

    Age Range: 15+

    Hardcover: 448 pages

    Publisher: Greenwillow Books (May 19, 2015)

    ISBN-13: 978-0062290106

    What to expect: Mental Illness

    Made You Up is Francesca Zappia’s debut novel and features a new kind of heroine that readers are sure to find interesting. This quirky tale features a teenage girl, Alex, who is trying to figure out her place in the world and longs to discover if she is more than just “crazy.” Despite her diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, she is determined to prove that she can handle living a “normal” life.

    Alex takes readers on a paranoid schizophrenic adventure as she tries to fit in at her new school, East Shoal High School. She knows fitting in won’t be easy with lobster-red hair and her reliance on taking pictures to determine what’s real and what’s not.

    “I didn’t have the luxury of taking reality for granted. And I wouldn’t say I hated people who did, because that’s just about everyone. I didn’t hate them. They didn’t live in my world. But that never stopped me from wishing I lived in theirs.”

    Alex’s fresh start is her last chance to prove to her mother that she can act like a normal teenager or it’s a one-way trip to the asylum. Then she meets Miles, mysterious and borderline-dangerous, who introduces her to a new kind of normal that makes her question everything. To make matters worse, Mr. McCoy, the school’s principal, has a weird obsession with the scoreboard in the gym and has been acting very strange. Together, Miles and Alex, along with their crew of misfits must work to solve the mystery of the scoreboard before someone ends up hurt, or dead.

    Zappia’s carefully crafted tale will keep readers guessing what’s real and what’s not throughout the entire story and leave readers shocked with a surprising twist in the end. Readers will embrace Alex and cheer her on in her struggles and relate to the feeling that everyone is imperfect. You too will find yourself enjoying the world of paranoid schizophrenia more than you’d like to admit. Teens ages 15 and up would enjoy this story most.

    Add this book to your collection: Made You Up

    Available Here: 

    Text, logoBuy on Amazon

    About the Author

    Francesca Zappia lives in central Indiana and majors in computer science at the University of Indianapolis. She spends most of her time writing, drawing her characters, and reading. Made You Up is her debut novel.

    Made You Up, by Francesca Zappia, was reviewed by Michelle Morse. Hadley. Follow along with our articles tagged with Mental Health and Young Adult Fiction to discover more great books for teens.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Finding Audrey, by Sophie Kinsella | Book Review
    2. Karen Fortunati, Author of The Weight of Zero | Speed Interview
    3. Under Rose-Tainted Skies, by Louise Gornall | Book Review
    4. Alyssa Sheinmel on Writing the Stone Girl

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Books About Schizophrenia Francesca Zappia Mental Health Young Adult Fiction
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleNap-a-Roo, by Kristy Kurjan
    Next Article Fables of Fairy Good Heart: A Parent’s Love Lasts Forever
    Guest Posts
    • Website

    The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by a guest author.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • An Interview with Liz Kessler, Author of the ‘Emily Windsnap’ Series
    • Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai | Dedicated Review
    • Inspirational Soccer Book for Kids Compilation: 2 Books In 1: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, and Alex Morgan biographies for kids – Plus 101 Affirmations and Mental Training For Young Players | Dedicated Review
    • Animals Feeling Like Us, by R. M. Smith | Book Review
    • I Am Not Sophie, by Robyn Hodess | Book Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Professional Resources

    Book Marketing Campaigns

    Writing Coaches and Editing Services

    Mentorship

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Policies
    • Advertise
    • TCBR Buzzworthy Mentions
    • About TCBR
    © 2025 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.