pickI think this installment captures a really authentic piece not just of adolescence, but of being in a relationship - trying to figure out your own identity, goals, and dreams (independently of your family or romantic partner). I liked that all the characters supported and expressed the importance of having friends you can open up to!
pickA wonderful mostly wordless MGGN about a girl who leaves Cuba without her parents under the Peter/Pedro Pan operation. Her life in Cuba is in color; her life in NYC is in grayscale. I love how the color shows up in books, foods, and flowers, bringing her back to life. This book brought me almost to tears, just thinking what it must be like to send a child away for years, not knowing if/when you‘d see her again, for her safety.
pickOkay, I LOVED that. While the Fables series continues to pull characters from fairy tales, this arc felt very much like a truly original story, and a wonderful journey for the previously overlooked protagonist. It wove seamlessly into the continuing story of the series but really took the time to tell its particular entry in a style that felt like vintage tales of knights and adventure. A new favourite in the series' collected editions.
panThis is a worthy topic, but unfortunately a poor execution. The stories are piecemeal and disjointed. There is far too much telling and not enough showing - the graphic format was badly underutilised. The excessively small print in portions provided further friction to the reading process.
Read They Called Us Enemy (Takei) instead.
pick#ReadAway2024
Finished this for my #QUABC 40-Book Challenge prompt: “A National Book Award winner.” It was the 2023 Winner for Young People & it was delightful. I think everyone can relate to the trauma/drama of middle school & Sanat captures it in all its glory in his illustrations & text. Set mainly on a life-changing school trip to Europe, I enjoyed reading it while listening to the Spotify “mix tape” playlist he includes the QR code for.💙
pickFun, light read about the girls who run a record store, and a vigilante fight club on the side. Issues #1-4.
Heavy 90s vibes, very Josie and the Pussycats meets Empire Records, as run by the Scooby Gang.
pickOmg what a great volume and a very Anya-centric one as the opening story started with her getting her puppy as a reward from the last volume.
And what a puppy. He's larger than her, fluffy, and a protective cinnamon roll and I love him.
This good boy protected Anya throughout the entire volume, risking himself from all the dangers that kept coming and without spoiling too much got into himself adopted by the Forgers 🥰
pickBeautiful artwork. The story wasn‘t super impactful but it was cozy. About friendships, apprenticing, and maintaining tradition. Perhaps loved the explanation of tea dragons and care at the end even more than the story!
