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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley from First Second for an honest review.
WOW! This was such a powerful story of friendship, heartache, and coming-of-age. My heart goes out to Win as she comes to terms with how fleeting high school can be, and how important it is to push yourself to put yourself out there, because hey, what have you really got to lose? This touched on self-harm, body image, eating disorders, and depression, but was not too dark. The meta-zines throughout the text were an excellent addition. Excellent queer representation as well. Set in the early 2000s, it is a perfect throwback read for Millennials, though the themes will strike a cord with teens today. My only complaint is that I want more!
WOW! This was such a powerful story of friendship, heartache, and coming-of-age. My heart goes out to Win as she comes to terms with how fleeting high school can be, and how important it is to push yourself to put yourself out there, because hey, what have you really got to lose? This touched on self-harm, body image, eating disorders, and depression, but was not too dark. The meta-zines throughout the text were an excellent addition. Excellent queer representation as well. Set in the early 2000s, it is a perfect throwback read for Millennials, though the themes will strike a cord with teens today. My only complaint is that I want more!
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
A heartfelt narrative with a cast of characters with a strong sense of self. One that represents well the varied experiences in school. The zine sections were gorgeous and fit well into the ongoing narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
Winifred is about to start Year 10 at school, but her two best friends have transferred to a different school and now she is all alone.
Winifred has never been comfortable in her own skin and struggles with her mental health, so the idea of being on her own at school is terrifying for her.
Luckily she meets Oscar and April in art class. They are different too but seem much more comfortable in being just who they are.
As Winifred, Oscar and April become closer they decide to work together on a zine - which becomes a way Winifred to finally start to express how she is really feeling inside.
This graphic novel will resonate with so many people who don't feel happy in their own skin and suffer from self-doubt and depression but don't know how to ask for help.
As the author notes at the end of the book, this is a work of fiction but based on real events from their own high school experiences, which I think what makes Winifred's story feel so real and relatable.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for the review copy of this book.
Winifred has never been comfortable in her own skin and struggles with her mental health, so the idea of being on her own at school is terrifying for her.
Luckily she meets Oscar and April in art class. They are different too but seem much more comfortable in being just who they are.
As Winifred, Oscar and April become closer they decide to work together on a zine - which becomes a way Winifred to finally start to express how she is really feeling inside.
This graphic novel will resonate with so many people who don't feel happy in their own skin and suffer from self-doubt and depression but don't know how to ask for help.
As the author notes at the end of the book, this is a work of fiction but based on real events from their own high school experiences, which I think what makes Winifred's story feel so real and relatable.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for the review copy of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness
this was such a cute graphic novel
i adore win and her friends
i adore win and her friends
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Biphobia
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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 was a very touching and realistic portrayal of mentally ill and queer teens.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This felt very middle school, and I think it'll have some value with that audience, but the art felt sort of flat to me and a lot of the plot points felt forced and/or rushed.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes