Awkward

An incredibly sweet and delightful middle grade graphic novel about friendship and belonging. I could say so many good things about it, with very few criticisms, but I don't have time right now.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves skillfully written middle grade contemporary, whether or not you enjoy graphic novels. It can be enjoyed by anyone from middle school-age to teens to adults, and I highly enjoyed it as a young adult because I love quality MG. It was my first graphic novel, and I read it for my best friend--but I discovered that I LOVE the graphic novel format when it's realistic, quality, and in a genre I already like. I definitely plan to read the sequels and seek out more graphic novels in the future, both middle grade show more like this one, and other genres I enjoy.

Content:

I must note, however, that I would not give this book to an actual middle-schooler unless they've already been exposed to some things at public school. (That includes my little sister.) Below are some things to be aware of if you're eyeing this book for a child in your life.

There's quite a bit of malicious bullying and name calling, but it's resolved at the end when the main characters stand up for each other. Before that, though, it's miserable for them, even though their mindset and their story is very positive and healthy. The main boy and girl have a sweet platonic friendship, but the bullies tease them horribly for being friends, and make mean jokes about their relationship. The boy is already bullied for being quiet and nerdy, and he's an outcast at school.

An even bigger content note: The young female protagonist becomes friends with another girl who seems to be confident, happy, and the life of their school club. But she finds out when she goes to the girl's house that the girl's parents have a horrible relationship, and the parents separate at the end of the book. The dad talks trash about the girl's mom and actually calls her a lazy b***h (with all but the first letter bleeped out--but STILL, it made my eyes widen). Again, not an issue for a public schooler who will know kids from this sort of home--for them, this will be a great introduction, but not for a more sheltered reader. This friend's dad also pushes her to perform and win in contests against other kids, and the friend is afraid of her dad and afraid of what he'll think if she fails to meet his expectations.

However, the main boy and girl have wonderful relationships with their parents, and their parents have strong and loving marriages--it's very obvious even from their body language in the art, even without words. It's sooo sweet, and that was one of my favorite parts of the book. show less

I read this a few years ago and liked it but did not do a review at that time. So, I took the time to read it again and it was still good but I'm not sure if I enjoyed it as much as the first time through it - but still a good selection for middle school readers and those who like graphic novels.

Peppi is the new girl in school and in the first few minutes of arriving at the new school -- she trips and falls and drops all of her books and papers which results in her being targeted by the school bullies. A boy her same age stops to help her and in in the midst of so much embarrassment, Peppi shoves him and runs away. She is then consumed by guilt of what she has done and agonizes over the event for a very long time until she finally makes show more amends finding that she has made a new friend, Jaimie.

No two families are the same and we get a close look at three of them in this story. One of the families is very dysfunctional to the point the child refers to her parents as "parental units" and the father doesn't talk about the mother kindly and in the end the mother and daughter packs up and leaves the situation leaving our main character Peppi sad and confused.

Even the two main teachers (art and science) seem to be a little dysfunctional leaving one to wonder who is looking out for these kids and who is teaching them how to grow up and be functional adults...and why you are wondering -- the kids seem to find the solutions for themselves.

I still enjoyed the book and will be interested in reading the next titles in the series and see what happens. show less

Usually this book is passed from student to student and checked out. However, the last student put it into my book bin to be checked back in and I snagged it. I will tell you from the beginning I am not a big graphics fan. Every student who has read this has told me I need to read it. I agree with them, it was great.

This could have been taken right out of my classroom. I am always hearing students talking about what course is best. We have those students who will argue until they are blue, that art is the best subject. Then we have those students who love the sciences, or math, or English.

The characters face the very things students new to our school or new to middle school face. They worry about bullying, making friends, family show more problems, will their teachers like them or will they like their teachers. This is what made this book ring true. The author took a lot of time to flesh out her characters. These are some of the most diverse characters I have seen in a book. I loved this book and understand why all the students kept recommending it to me. show less

Penelope is the new kid in school, trying to keep out of the way of the mean kids, when she's immediately picked on as being the "nerder girlfriend" of Jaime. She reacts by being mean in turn to Jaime, a decision she quickly regrets, but she can't seem to pull herself together to apologize to him. Playing to her strengths, Penelope joins the art club in making a comic strip for the school's newspaper. It turns out that the art club's archenemy is the science club, of which Jaime is a member ... talk about awkward for Penelope. Will Penelope make up with Jaime? And will the art club and the science club ever get along?

This book is a light and quick read. It could probably be read in a single sitting, but the author helpfully includes show more chapters for readers who need to take a break. The story, with its emphasis on friendship and working in cooperation, is a good one for middle schoolers. However, the details are a little light; for instance, we never learn why Penelope just moved in to town. On the one hand, that keeps this book short and breezy; on the other hand, the characters and story just don't feel a hundred percent well-rounded or completely realistic.

My big grippe with this book is that the illustration style is much more like a Japanese manga than an American graphic novel. There's not wrong with that in and of itself, but the cover doesn't give that impression. Personally, it's not a style I like; the over-the-top exaggerated faces give the book a level of silliness that I don't care for, especially when some darker topics do come up (e.g., Penelope's friend who, along with her mother, flee from their house overnight when her father becomes too threatening). On the plus side, through the illustrations we see a wide cast of characters with all kinds of diversity (religious, ethnic, ability/disability, etc.). I particularly loved the science teacher; however, on the flip side, the art teacher's inability to do even basic tasks was over the top and frustrating to see. (He was the only character who seemed like a sitcom stereotype.)

All in all, a solid read for kids in upper elementary school and junior high. show less

First-rate graphic novel that deals with the perils of middle school, the desire to fit in and the moral dilemma between choosing to do the right thing versus the popular thing. The artwork is expressive and bright with great little details. The author has even placed a bunch of raccoon faces throughout the story for readers to find. Loved the humor, the sincerity, and the message.

children's/middlegrade graphic fiction (school days). I read Brave first and liked that one better, but not sure if that's because I thought it was stronger, or because it resonated more with me. Awkward is still really good though, and I liked the message of owning up to your actions and making things right. All of these characters are very real and readers are bound to recognize themselves and their classmates throughout the books, and I love the letters and sketches Chmakova includes for her readers in the end. I hope that kids will be inspired create their own versions or even fanfic (borrowing the characters that Chmakova has so thoughtfully and lovingly created) to express their own experiences.

Funny school story about the hijinks when the Art Club and the Science Club throw down to earn a school club table. Competition, arguing, empathy, mistakes, embarrassing moments and incredible spirit -- it's got them all. Nice diverse cast of characters as well.