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librerika's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Was surprised by how great this was. Not just another celebrity book looking to capitalize on existing fans, this actually seems to be aimed at a younger generation that maybe hasn't heard of the musicians. Would definitely hand to upper middle grade lower ya readers who enjoy realistic school fiction in graphic novels format, especially those who are interested in songwriting or music or are looking for queer representation
emy102's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mellowbry's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
A very endearing, wonderfully illustrated coming-of-age story about girlhood, crushes, life changes, the effects of growing up, and sibling banter, arguments and connection.
ellytheskelly's review
3.0
This was an ARC from Netgalley.
I liked the themes of sisterhood and navigating life as a young adult, but for some reason it didn’t really fully click with me. I really liked the “twinspace” where they were color coded and had discussions (and sometimes arguments) between each other. It wasn’t for me, but I think that others would definitely like it a lot!
I liked the themes of sisterhood and navigating life as a young adult, but for some reason it didn’t really fully click with me. I really liked the “twinspace” where they were color coded and had discussions (and sometimes arguments) between each other. It wasn’t for me, but I think that others would definitely like it a lot!
wanderingfeminist's review
3.0
I LOVE Tillie Walden and think her illustrations fit this book so well and were my favorite part.
Overall it was a cute graphic novel but what took me out as someone who knows Tegan & Sara the band was the choice to “fictionalize” the story and move it to 2023 while still framing it as a memoir graphic novel rather than a fully fictional one. Having the main characters have the same names as the authors makes it seem very much like a memoir and recounting of their life albeit for a younger audience.
Maybe the changes they made would work for younger readers and help them connect with the book by featuring popular things today (like Nintendo Switch, Billie Eilish, etc.) but for me it just really took me out of the story as a whole and confused me on whether this was totally fictional or based on true events until reading the author’s note at the end.
Overall it was a cute graphic novel but what took me out as someone who knows Tegan & Sara the band was the choice to “fictionalize” the story and move it to 2023 while still framing it as a memoir graphic novel rather than a fully fictional one. Having the main characters have the same names as the authors makes it seem very much like a memoir and recounting of their life albeit for a younger audience.
Maybe the changes they made would work for younger readers and help them connect with the book by featuring popular things today (like Nintendo Switch, Billie Eilish, etc.) but for me it just really took me out of the story as a whole and confused me on whether this was totally fictional or based on true events until reading the author’s note at the end.
hoperaleigh's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bibliobrandie's review
5.0
Loved this fictionalized graphic novel of Tegan and Sara's early adolescence. It's a great story and really illustrates how awkward and important middle school can be. I am a huge fan of their music and loved High School so was so excited to have something for middle school. Bonus: illustrated by Tillie Walden.
hubris_and_hamartia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
maiiiphobic's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
So so cuteeee, I just found out this is based on real musicians I GUESS I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STAN
thepetitepunk's review
3.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hmm. This was enjoyable, although nothing to write home about. The illustrations were good, but the story itself was exactly what you'd expect from a graphic novel called Junior High--certainly not a bad thing, but I was hoping for something a bit more unique. I also thought the intention of the graphic novel, or even just the genre, was very confusing. I read it because it was marketed as a memoir, which makes sense because Tegan and Sara are the main characters, but it's a fictionalized memoir. That took me awhile to figure out; I kept getting confused why Tegan and Sara were referencing things that would probably not exist during the junior high years, until I realized that it was supposed to take place today. I think this was a strange (and quite frankly poor) decision. I suppose this is a middle grade graphic novel and that will be more relatable to them, but why not just create a fiction story not labeled as a memoir? Why market Tegan and Sara as just authors rather than singers then? And if someone is reading this because they like Tegan and Sara, wouldn't they want to know about their actual live? I don't know. It was a very confusing decision that will maybe make this graphic novel more appealing to a younger audience, but leaves questions about the genre/marketing. Overall this was readable, although not unique, but I'd be wary to call it a memoir and wouldn't really recommend it as one if that's what you're looking for.
✧ ✧ ✧
≪reading 31 books for 31 days of january≫
╰┈➤ 1. funny feelings by tarah dewitt
╰┈➤ 2. winterborne home for vengeance and valor by ally carter
╰┈➤ 3. garvey’s choice by nikki grimes
╰┈➤ 4. ghost music by an yu
╰┈➤ 5. decoding boys by cara natterson
╰┈➤ 6. the sunbearer trials by aiden thomas
╰┈➤ 7. the house in the pines by ana reyes
╰┈➤ 8. the lost apothecary by sarah penner
╰┈➤ 9. we are all so good at smiling by amber mcbride
╰┈➤ 10. ms ice sandwich by mieko kawakami
╰┈➤ 11. love & other disasters by anita kelly
╰┈➤ 12. red, white, and whole by rajani larocca
╰┈➤ 13. stay true by hua hsu
╰┈➤ 14. the inheritance games by jennifer lynn barnes
╰┈➤ 15. the boy on the wooden box by leon leyson
╰┈➤ 16. tegan and sara: junior high by tegan quin and sara quin
Hmm. This was enjoyable, although nothing to write home about. The illustrations were good, but the story itself was exactly what you'd expect from a graphic novel called Junior High--certainly not a bad thing, but I was hoping for something a bit more unique. I also thought the intention of the graphic novel, or even just the genre, was very confusing. I read it because it was marketed as a memoir, which makes sense because Tegan and Sara are the main characters, but it's a fictionalized memoir. That took me awhile to figure out; I kept getting confused why Tegan and Sara were referencing things that would probably not exist during the junior high years, until I realized that it was supposed to take place today. I think this was a strange (and quite frankly poor) decision. I suppose this is a middle grade graphic novel and that will be more relatable to them, but why not just create a fiction story not labeled as a memoir? Why market Tegan and Sara as just authors rather than singers then? And if someone is reading this because they like Tegan and Sara, wouldn't they want to know about their actual live? I don't know. It was a very confusing decision that will maybe make this graphic novel more appealing to a younger audience, but leaves questions about the genre/marketing. Overall this was readable, although not unique, but I'd be wary to call it a memoir and wouldn't really recommend it as one if that's what you're looking for.
✧ ✧ ✧
≪reading 31 books for 31 days of january≫
╰┈➤ 1. funny feelings by tarah dewitt
╰┈➤ 2. winterborne home for vengeance and valor by ally carter
╰┈➤ 3. garvey’s choice by nikki grimes
╰┈➤ 4. ghost music by an yu
╰┈➤ 5. decoding boys by cara natterson
╰┈➤ 6. the sunbearer trials by aiden thomas
╰┈➤ 7. the house in the pines by ana reyes
╰┈➤ 8. the lost apothecary by sarah penner
╰┈➤ 9. we are all so good at smiling by amber mcbride
╰┈➤ 10. ms ice sandwich by mieko kawakami
╰┈➤ 11. love & other disasters by anita kelly
╰┈➤ 12. red, white, and whole by rajani larocca
╰┈➤ 13. stay true by hua hsu
╰┈➤ 14. the inheritance games by jennifer lynn barnes
╰┈➤ 15. the boy on the wooden box by leon leyson
╰┈➤ 16. tegan and sara: junior high by tegan quin and sara quin