Page by Paige (edition 2011)

Sorta disappointed that I haven’t take a look at this sooner. (It’s been sitting on my shelf for a while now.) It’s a quick enough read to breeze through, and it’s fairly enjoyable.

I like that it’s a very relatable premise. Having an artistic main character write/draw/rhyme their story has been done before, but it’s always nice to someone else’s take on the concept. I like Paige in general. I like that she’s a very normal girl at heart, and aside from her art, there’s really nothing about her that makes even more special than anyone else. I like that she does worry about being too introverted and in her head so much, and I like the friendships she forges. Her drawing style is whimsical while also giving us a good idea of what’s going through her head. I think she’s in a very understandable position, being frustrated by her family’s recent move to Brooklyn and trying to fit in and make her mark without completely changing who she is. I like that the drama that does occur is more personal, and doesn’t rely on contrived friendship drama.

That said, it’s an extremely weak story. While there is drama between Paige and her parents, I never really got the sense of the conflict. Paige’s parents only show up to add to the drama, and we never get the sense that there is this distance that Paige feels. There’s some clues scattered throughout that there could be a much larger story (such as Paige’s parents sleeping in separate rooms), but it’s never really expanded on. Even Paige’s grandmother, who it is noted that she was close to, doesn’t really appear often enough to get a sense of that relationship. I wanted to see more of Paige’s friends, and how they open up to each other. There’s also a few other plot points that seemingly come out of nowhere, particularly the ‘Agents of Whimsy’ which reminded me a little too much of Cecil Castellucci’s Plain Janes.

I wouldn’t say that it’s a bad book, but I feel like it could have gone a lot deeper into its storyline and characters. It’s a very quick read, and a breezy one at that.
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A little overly-earnest about finding, and accepting, oneself. Plays a bit with panel borders and violation of the fourth wall, making it visually interesting, but the story is a little angsty even by my angst-loving standards. ( )

Reading graphic novel Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge almost feels like too much fun! It will surely remind readers of the Sunday comics, but with more serious issues and themes. Main character Paige Turner is a high school student who has moved mid-school year from Virginia to Brooklyn, New York. She feels lost and alone, but attempts to make sense of the world through art. Sketch book in hand, Paige begins to tentatively draw her life, make new friends and find a place in her new world.

Paige, like many teens, is afraid of rejection and failure. New friends Jules, Longo and Gabe quickly accept Paige into their group and these friendships help give her the confidence to share her art work with a larger audience. The “rules” that begin each chapter are helpful messages for any teen reader. It is evident that Paige begins to grow as a person when she makes a list of things she doesn’t like about herself and then embarks on finding ways to fix them. The list includes many things teens can relate to, like hating their body and not standing up for themselves.

The messages portrayed through the novel’s impressive illustrations are equally as important as the words themselves. The reader must be careful not to overlook anything. I think this book would appeal to reluctant or non-readers because of its visual appeal.

One way to use it in the classroom would be to create a “treasure hunt” of pictoral clues to engage a reluctant reader. However, the novel also has universal appeal. “The comics medium can be a powerful educational tool,” according to author Gene Yang.

Themes in this novel include friendship, love, family, coming-of-age, discovery, moving, self-esteem, rejection and parent problems. I think it would appeal to students ages 11-14. ( )

Paige and her parents have moved to New York City, where she’s the new kid at school and, despite her new urban life surrounded by more people than ever, is feeling pretty lonely. Taking inspiration from her grandmother, who was a self-taught artist, Paige buys a sketchbook and dedicates herself to following her grandmother’s rules (draw what you know, live a lot to get better material). Played out in the pages of comics worthy of framing, this piece of realistic fiction portrays Paige’s journey of self-discovery over a period from December to June. In that time, she makes new friends, falls in love, and draws it all. The art work is amazing, although at times the reader may feel just as trapped as Paige is in her own self-absorbed angst. Through it all, though, readers will root for Paige, and keep turning the pages to see what masterpieces she will create next. A good addition to a middle- or high-school classroom collection. ( )

The design in this book is great, perfectly balancing a harder modernist tendency with a more flowy Japanese anything goes framing style. These styles reflect the two inner states of the titular character Paige. Though the design is superb, the plot falls a little flat. Girl moves to the city and finds herself via help from sketchbook and first kiss. I’d rather watch Gilmore Girls. I’m sure Page by Paige will inspire rich white girls everywhere to have the self confidence to post their drawings to flickr for at least the next few years. After that, I fear all the hip cultural name drops will be a bit dated.Don’t mention Hopey Glass unless you are willing to fight about it.This book does have a really great teenage girl secret sharing scene. Ms. Gulledge - that was brilliant. ( )