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This is a sweet story about finding yourself, developing your talent, and healing your hurt. The art is well-done, too.
dark
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
What a fucking lovely book. Deals so flawlessly with things such as depression, eating disorders, social awkwardness, friendship issues, etc. These characters felt so real and human, and the plot was a slow view into their day to day. The moments showing Winnifred’s depression were so realistic. This felt so accurate to the teenage experience, especially growing up with friend groups just as complicated as yourself. This book gave off a little bit of a “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” vibe, in the best possible way!!
This graphic novel was okay. It dealt with a lot of normal teenage issues, including feeling comfortable with oneself, friend group dynamics, and finding inspiration for the things you're passionate about.
Overall, this novel didn't do it for me. It was fine and it discussed important topics, but I think for the right audience this book would land better.
Overall, this novel didn't do it for me. It was fine and it discussed important topics, but I think for the right audience this book would land better.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's the first day of Sophomore year Winifred is struggling to re-define herself after her two best friends transfer to a private school and she has to figure out who she is in high school on her own. But she isn't alone for long in art class she meets two offbeat students, Oscar and April. They seem different than the rest of the teens in her small New England town; they're creative, a little rebellious and seem comfortable in their own skin. But as the school year goes on it's clear that all three teenagers are struggling with themselves and their friendship.
I enjoyed reading the book but it's a heavy one- I wish that the content warning at the beginning of the book was larger. Though the book does focus on Winifred finding her place and who she is (along with her mental health struggles)- her friends are as well and it's not fully recognized for what it is until the very end of the book. It's well written and I'm sure teens will see themselves in it. One to recommend with a content warning.
I enjoyed reading the book but it's a heavy one- I wish that the content warning at the beginning of the book was larger. Though the book does focus on Winifred finding her place and who she is (along with her mental health struggles)- her friends are as well and it's not fully recognized for what it is until the very end of the book. It's well written and I'm sure teens will see themselves in it. One to recommend with a content warning.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really loved this look into high school as a larger person, dealing with fitting in, sexuality, and finding your passion and people. While this was set in 2002/2003, a lot of the experiences still felt similar to my own experiences about 5-10 years later. Win/Fred/Winifred deals with a lot of mental health battles that turn into physical and eating battles, dealing with changing friendships and friend groups, and her internalised feelings.
This one definitely tugged on my heart strings a lot, and I’d highly recommend it.
This one definitely tugged on my heart strings a lot, and I’d highly recommend it.
Graphic: Biphobia, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts
I included fatphobia as a graphic content tag but it’s definitely internalised fatphobia, rather than external fatphobia if that makes a difference for you as a reader
FIREEEE!!! idk i really like the art style and how it showed that teenagers can be flawed and wrong even when they think their not!
Really touching and sweet! I love how the zines interwove with the story itself, and I love how the story ends sort of loosely. It feels like a mesh between a memoir and a fictional story, and it’s quite refreshing!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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