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mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
4.0
*I'm reading all the 2022 FL Teen Reads. This is Book #10 out of 15 read. If you want to see a complete list altogether in one place in order of best to worst check out my tag florida-teen-reads-2022 to see the star ratings*
The Dark Matter of Mona Starr details the progression and impact of depression.
Mona has struggled with depression most of her life, but she’s largely managed to cope until recently. Her childhood best friend, Nash, moving out of state has triggered a spiral unlike anything she’s ever had before.
Over the course of the graphic novel, she learns how to navigate her ‘matter’ - her name for her depression - and weather the worst of its effects as best she can. She comes to find that while her struggles are more aggravated, everybody has something that ails them and that reaching out is how we fight back.
It reads a lot like a guide on depression for teens rather than a story most of the time; like those girls manuals put out by American Girl. The Care and Keeping of You, A Smart Girls’ Guide to Body Image, Is This Normal? Etc but it’s about depression instead of puberty or self-esteem. It uses Mona to explore in a fun yet educational way. The plot is loose and secondary to getting out the necessary information.
It could get a little corny at times, but I think the message supersedes the cheesiness. Plus I think we need more cheesiness in the world anyways. I’ll take an earnest attempt at putting something positive out in the world over a grimdark ‘realistic’ depiction literally any day of the week.
I could see this being very helpful to a kid first starting out on their mental health journey. This is the top pick on the list so far. Considering how long it took to get a genuinely good read on the list I expect it to stay there.
The Dark Matter of Mona Starr details the progression and impact of depression.
Mona has struggled with depression most of her life, but she’s largely managed to cope until recently. Her childhood best friend, Nash, moving out of state has triggered a spiral unlike anything she’s ever had before.
Over the course of the graphic novel, she learns how to navigate her ‘matter’ - her name for her depression - and weather the worst of its effects as best she can. She comes to find that while her struggles are more aggravated, everybody has something that ails them and that reaching out is how we fight back.
It reads a lot like a guide on depression for teens rather than a story most of the time; like those girls manuals put out by American Girl. The Care and Keeping of You, A Smart Girls’ Guide to Body Image, Is This Normal? Etc but it’s about depression instead of puberty or self-esteem. It uses Mona to explore in a fun yet educational way. The plot is loose and secondary to getting out the necessary information.
It could get a little corny at times, but I think the message supersedes the cheesiness. Plus I think we need more cheesiness in the world anyways. I’ll take an earnest attempt at putting something positive out in the world over a grimdark ‘realistic’ depiction literally any day of the week.
I could see this being very helpful to a kid first starting out on their mental health journey. This is the top pick on the list so far. Considering how long it took to get a genuinely good read on the list I expect it to stay there.
indeedithappens's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
A graphic novel about a high school girl who starts being swallowed by the "dark matter" of her depression after her best friend moves to Hawaii. Mona is sad when Nash moves away and feels alone at school. She feels surrounded by her dark matter telling her that she isn't good enough and that no one likes her. Slowly, she starts making connections with other students and learning to push away her dark matter.
This was a heartfelt novel that definitely attempts to offer some guidance on working through your own darkness. There is even a Self-Care Plan worksheet at the end of the book.
What to listen to while reading...
The book includes a listing of songs on Mona's Soundtrack at the end. Here are a few...
Dark Matter by Andrew Bird
Break Down by Florence & the Machine
While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles
Invincible by Muse
This was a heartfelt novel that definitely attempts to offer some guidance on working through your own darkness. There is even a Self-Care Plan worksheet at the end of the book.
What to listen to while reading...
The book includes a listing of songs on Mona's Soundtrack at the end. Here are a few...
Dark Matter by Andrew Bird
Break Down by Florence & the Machine
While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles
Invincible by Muse
allibug26's review against another edition
5.0
This book is comforting in so many ways. It feels incredibly relatable; it feels good to see some of these feelings drawn out the way they are. Sometimes that was also really hard though; since it’s a graphic novel, it’s easy to feel like you’re there, and so sometimes it made me feel like I was back in those dark places. Overall though, it’s a story that lets me know I’m not weird for feeling like this and that there are things I can do to help myself through it.
danileighta's review against another edition
5.0
This book is excellent! Mona names her depression/doubt/self-hatred the "Matter". This is her journey toward understanding it better and finding her light. The art is BEAUTIFUL and I love the author's self care plan at the end.
Highly recommended for all, but especially YA readers <3
Highly recommended for all, but especially YA readers <3
minslibrary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
thriftylibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Although the visual representation and discussion of depression was well intentioned, the execution and logical implications were concerning.
Self care is necessary and should be practiced, but it is no substitute for actual medical diagnosis and treatment.
Self care is necessary and should be practiced, but it is no substitute for actual medical diagnosis and treatment.
laflormorada's review against another edition
3.0
Mona Starr is a bit of a loner. When her best (and only) friend moves away, life gets even more difficult. The "dark matter" is always there feeding her negative thoughts and even making her sick. When her counselor encourages her to study this "matter", she starts a visual journal, illustrating her thoughts and feelings in pictures and words. This logical approach begins to make sense to her, but is it actually enough to make her feel better?
This book is part story, part mental health guide. At times for me it got to be a little too much of a self-help manual. Mona's character seemed to speak at times with the voice of an adult who had conquered their mental health issues rather than a teen who was struggling. However I do think this book has worth as a way to help teens and adults better understand what it feels like to deal with anxiety and depression. The illustrations are phenomenal and creatively illustrate what this "dark matter" would look like and how it would manifest. The author also gives the reader some great strategies for dealing with mental health issues and includes a self care checklist in the back.