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anniereads221's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings
vidya_is_vidya's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Gun violence
malka's review
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mass/school shootings
miaaaahh's review
4.5
Amazing depictions of mental health and gorgeous drawings and character designs. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gun violence
Moderate: Violence
tinylibrarianreading's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This was a book that I just picked up from the new shelf at the public library and didn't really have any idea what it was about, other than a short line I saw on the cover flap saying "gun violence". I was blown away and this may be one of my favorite books for this year! I was also pleasantly surprised because the author is from Kansas, where I live, and the story itself has many common themes of the area and activities where I live. Overall though, this story dealt with a teen student that witnesses an act of gun violence and how he learns to handle his PTSD from it, how it forms his interests as a person and also his experiences with making new friends. Manuel realizes that taking photographs is a way for him to find an "anchor" when he is feeling anxiety and triggers about the incident he witnessed. Through his photography he meets two new friends, learns about Ag-Club and finds true friendship with those that help him through his dark times. I definitely recommend this as a must read for anyone mature enough to deal with the dark theme.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Mass/school shootings
syntaxx's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Panic attacks/disorders
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Where do I begin with this graphic novel? I loved almost everything about it. Following the story of Manuel, who has witnessed a tragedy at his school and uses photography to cope with it. He makes friends through the assignment of an art project, and they help him heal, too. From the relationships, art, writing, and just general format, there's nothing I didn't like about this book.
The way that PTSD and panic attacks are portrayed in this book are some of the best I've seen done in graphic novel format. For Manuel, all of the color disappears, and you almost feel the panic with him. His relationship with Sebastian was perhaps one of my favorite things in the book because Sebastian really wants to be there for him. There are subtle hints throughout that their friendship is more than a friendship, and if you're not paying close attention, you might miss them. When it's a first relationship like this, in a middle grade novel, I feel like this formatting works so well for the story.
The art! How have I gotten this far and not talked about the art yet? Formatted around the idea of the golden hour for photography, there are just some goregous shots in here. Absolutely gorgeous. I only know Niki Smith from The Deep and Dark Blue, but I feel like this book has built on what I loved about that book.
All in all, this fits the middle grade genre so well. It's one I will keep thinking about and will definitely keep an eye on what Niki Smith does next.
The way that PTSD and panic attacks are portrayed in this book are some of the best I've seen done in graphic novel format. For Manuel, all of the color disappears, and you almost feel the panic with him. His relationship with Sebastian was perhaps one of my favorite things in the book because Sebastian really wants to be there for him. There are subtle hints throughout that their friendship is more than a friendship, and if you're not paying close attention, you might miss them. When it's a first relationship like this, in a middle grade novel, I feel like this formatting works so well for the story.
The art! How have I gotten this far and not talked about the art yet? Formatted around the idea of the golden hour for photography, there are just some goregous shots in here. Absolutely gorgeous. I only know Niki Smith from The Deep and Dark Blue, but I feel like this book has built on what I loved about that book.
All in all, this fits the middle grade genre so well. It's one I will keep thinking about and will definitely keep an eye on what Niki Smith does next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
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