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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Oh my heart. The way this spoke to the anxious 14 year old me who hated her body and struggled connecting with people… this book helped heal some very old wounds.
American writer and illustrator Sarah Winifred Searle has produced a gorgeous YA graphic novel in The Greatest Thing (2023). It is Winifred’s first day of her sophomore year (the equivalent of Year 10 in Australia) and she is nervous. Her two best friends have moved to a private school and Winifred is feeling particularly lost and uneasy. She eventually finds some new friends in Oscar and April who have the same interests as her, including art. The three spend time shopping, have sleep overs and decide to create a zine together as a part of Winifred’s art project. Despite all the good things in her life, Winifred finds she is still struggling and her inability to face her deepest secrets threatens to undo everything she loves.
This is vulnerable and honest storytelling, representing an episode in life that many adolescents will connect with. The themes of love, friendship, mental health, self-expression, and self-acceptance are nicely interwoven, and the artwork from Searle is beautiful and affecting.
This is vulnerable and honest storytelling, representing an episode in life that many adolescents will connect with. The themes of love, friendship, mental health, self-expression, and self-acceptance are nicely interwoven, and the artwork from Searle is beautiful and affecting.
It felt… unfinished I guess? It was a generic somewhat autobiographical graphical novel.
Fans of Raina Telgemeier’s Drama and Shannon Hale’s Real Friends will love The Greatest Thing.
✨
It’s the first day of sophomore year and Win is struggling because her best friends transferred to a private school. In art class she meets Oscar and April and strikes up a real friendship with them. However, each is hiding and struggling with personal demons, but Win’s comic series is what keeps her going. This is a YA graphic novel about friendship, honesty and loving yourself.
✨
I read Sincerely, Harriet last year and remember really liking the artwork, but not the story as much. I believe Searle took this GN to the next level because she was writing about her own experiences in high school. I thought it was compelling, honest and will be such a comfort to so many teens who read it, as many are dealing with the same issues as well.
CW: eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harm
4.25 ⭐️ because it was slow at some points
✨
It’s the first day of sophomore year and Win is struggling because her best friends transferred to a private school. In art class she meets Oscar and April and strikes up a real friendship with them. However, each is hiding and struggling with personal demons, but Win’s comic series is what keeps her going. This is a YA graphic novel about friendship, honesty and loving yourself.
✨
I read Sincerely, Harriet last year and remember really liking the artwork, but not the story as much. I believe Searle took this GN to the next level because she was writing about her own experiences in high school. I thought it was compelling, honest and will be such a comfort to so many teens who read it, as many are dealing with the same issues as well.
CW: eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harm
4.25 ⭐️ because it was slow at some points
emotional
funny
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story was so meaningful and I really related to back to my high school days and it made me emotional reading it! But it was so good and I love how everything flows from one to another and her growth throughout this short book! Very sweet and inspiring story of just simply going through it and dealing
Reading 2023
Book 43: The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle
Reviewed for high school readers grades 10 and older, this YA graphic novel follows Winifred through sophomore year. Her two best friends have transferred schools and Winifred finds herself alone. I enjoyed this book, the characters, and the art. My rating 4.25⭐️.
Book 43: The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle
Reviewed for high school readers grades 10 and older, this YA graphic novel follows Winifred through sophomore year. Her two best friends have transferred schools and Winifred finds herself alone. I enjoyed this book, the characters, and the art. My rating 4.25⭐️.
This was a very good, if not sad and meaningful, graphic novel. It discussed many tough topics that I think would be good for a teen to read. I think it was also set in, like, the 1980s??? It didn't explicitly say that, but still.
One thing that this book discussed that I really did enjoy was friendship breakups and understanding that sometimes friends are suffering and don't say the right thing at the right time. Happy Reading!!
One thing that this book discussed that I really did enjoy was friendship breakups and understanding that sometimes friends are suffering and don't say the right thing at the right time. Happy Reading!!
Content Warning: depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders
This is a powerful graphic novel about mental health, friendship, and identity. I loved how Win and her friends expressed themselves through their zine.
This is a powerful graphic novel about mental health, friendship, and identity. I loved how Win and her friends expressed themselves through their zine.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder