The book tells the story of Penelope "Peppi" Torres, a new student at Berrybrook Middle School, whose first encounter with a boy from the science club leads to much awkwardness between them, and their sparring clubs.

The fourth book in the series, Diary, features additional stories with the characters from Awkward.

Amanda M. Vail of The Mary Sue said "it needs to be on the shelves of every school and public library.

"[2] Awkward was named as one of the School Library Journal's Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2015.

[3] It was also named by YALSA on their list of the 2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.