Hope Larson

Such a well-crafted story, initially, Very portrays herself as perfect, soon enough though you see that in part her efforts to excel at everything is a way to distract from the one thing that’s really challenging for her, she’s actually relatably flawed, and someone you’ll find easy to cheer on through her misteps and her triumphs.

While maybe the parents could have played a slightly larger role in this one (I say that as an adult reader, kid readers might understandably prefer Very show more navigating much of this on her own), I otherwise have no complaints about the secondary characters, it was refreshing to see some people in politics be likeable since there aren’t many examples of that in the world right now, and I thought the friendships felt really authentic for that age group, a little bit of drama as well as rewardingly supportive, loved those girls.

I think this is the first book I’ve read where someone’s struggling with math and it isn’t just portrayed as all they have to do is study or concentrate harder, “apply themselves” to turn things around, here an actual diagnosis is recquired. Not only was it heartening to see the arc of Very’s situation play out, I love when I read a book and think as entertaining as this is, it also could do some genuine good for a real life kid who sees themself in Very and realizes no, they’re not actually dumb, they just need to learn/be taught in a way that works for them. There are probably also some parents and educators who could stand to be enlightened a bit by Very’s story, too. show less

Bina and Darcy are friends and bandmates, but Darcy thinks they need a drummer. They recruit Enzo, but they're an uncomfortable trio, especially once Darcy and Enzo start dating - and then kick Bina out of the band. To make matters worse, Bina's boy-next-door best friend Austin LIKE-likes her, and Bina isn't sure how she feels about him.

Quotes

"I'm not saying 'Don't be upset.' Be upset! But be productively upset." (Charlie to Bina, 81)

"It sounds like procrastination, but it's more show more like...INSPOcrastination. You can't force inspiration, but you can stack the deck in its favor." (Bina's mom, 89)

[Thought bubbles] How did this happen? Did I miss something? Does he really like me? Or is he just sad because Rosemary dumped him? If we date, and we break up, will he stop being my friend? Do I want to date him? I don't know! What's wrong with me? How can I not know that?! (110)

[Thought bubble] This sucks. If my songs aren't personal enough, they aren't good enough. If they're too personal, someone gets hurt. (129)

"You can let your origin story be a thing that happened to you. Or you can make yourself happen to the world, on your own terms. I know it's scary to walk away from something you really want, but you have to ask yourself, 'Is the timing right?'" (Bina's mom, 137)

"I hate that all this good stuff keeps coming to me....and I'm not ready for any of it." (170) show less

This book is a labor of intense love, or I miss my guess. It shows. The adaptation is true in spirit, and the art (for me) complements the feel of the original book without distracting from it for its own sake. Meg's internal asides are given front stage when they're important to the philosophical journey, and don't take up more than a frame two. That's a fine rope to tread. My only complaint is that the medium of the graphic novel naturally carries a somewhat faster pace than straight show more prose, so the whole book seemed to go by a little too quickly. Or I suppose that could be because I read it so avidly. I'll have to reread, I guess. show less

Chiggers by Hope Larson is fun and charming. Larson’s art captures the look and atmosphere of summer camp, and her writing infuses the graphic novel with authentic mood and realistic conversations. Chiggers follows Abby’s efforts to make friends, flirt with boys, and understand Shasta, an odd but vulnerable girl who claims to have been struck by lightning. At times Larson inserts fantasy elements into the art and plot that leave the reader wondering how much, if any of it, is simply a show more bird’s-eye-view of character Abby’s imagination. Overall, Chiggers is a fast but enjoyable read, and artist/writer Larson brings out the awkward and hurtful micro-episodes in a young adolescent’s summer vacation. Also recommend R. Telgemeier’s Smile (2010). show less