This is exactly what you want in an early reader: funny, accessible, and genuinely engaging without being brain rot. The premise is simple—two food best friends have a popularity contest—but it works because it taps into real social dynamics that 5-8 year olds are navigating.

The graphic novel format is clutch here. Kids who might struggle with dense text can follow along with the pictures, and it feels like a 'real book' without being overwhelming. The humor is age-appropriate silly (talking food, absurd situations) and the friendship conflict resolves in a healthy way.

It's not going to win literary awards, but it doesn't need to. It's doing important work: building reading confidence, modeling friendship skills, and keeping kids entertained enough to actually finish the book. The 4.7 Amazon rating and the fact that it's spawned multiple sequels tells you everything—kids like it, and that matters.

If you've got a reluctant reader in the 5-8 range, this is a solid pick. It's low-stakes, high-fun, and might just be the book that makes them want to read the next one.