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adriennelarocque's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
booklover160's review
3.0
This one hit home for me. I struggle with my depression a lot but I don't think of it in a physical way as Mona does. But I resonated with her feelings a lot. I do wish they discussed medication as a form of treatment more than they did. Supplements are mentioned but didn't seem to help and while we see Mona take some sort of pills towards the end, it's skimmed over.
Overall, a beautiful graphic novel that really tackles depression head-on with some helpful ways of coping, but there's nothing wrong with taking actual medication as well.
Overall, a beautiful graphic novel that really tackles depression head-on with some helpful ways of coping, but there's nothing wrong with taking actual medication as well.
mariahistryingtoread's review
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.
jwinchell's review
4.0
I think this is the first book I’ve read for younger (YA/tween) readers that I’ve shelved “self-improvement.” Its so much about mental health and taking care of yourself. It’s about the swirl and whirl of emotions that can come over you when you’re struggling with anxiety and depression and self-image. I love the way Gulledge draws Mona’s pain and doubts and inner strife- it comes out of her body and into the world. Her thoughts explode around her in her journal that is helping her process her “Matter” (her depression). I loved the self-care plan she made for herself at the end of the book and the blank one she made for readers. There’s also a book list and a music play list. A definite must for kids who are artsy and also for those who have feelings. A good choice for self-reflection for any reader, really.
ogreart's review
5.0
This is a strong and compelling graphic novel. It takes on the serious problem of teen depression and alienation in an ultimately uplifting way. I have listed it as realistic fiction even thought has some fantastical elements. I saw these mainly as visual metaphors, a way of externalizing for the readers what the character was feeling.
This book has my hearty recommendation.
This book has my hearty recommendation.
dgrstory's review
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thenextgenlibrarian's review
5.0
“As long as I don’t forget to look beyond myself/And remember that I’m part of something much, much bigger/Then maybe I won’t forget again how beautiful it all is…and how beautiful we are.”
⭐️
Mona Starr is going through a tough time. Her best friend moved to Hawaii, leaving her alone. Mona begins to struggle more than ever and decides to see a therapist. There she discusses her Matter: this is what Mona calls her depression and the personified form it takes over her body, heart, mind and life. But through therapy, art, a new friend and unrelated medical procedure she’s able to better understand her Matter and control it. Then she is able to turn her fears into strengths.
⭐️
Wow. The sheer brilliance and beauty of this YA graphic novel knocked the wind out of me tonight. The way the author drew her characters was unlike any style I’ve ever seen in graphic novels. The use of black and white images with pops of yellow was also incredibly unique and powerful. Gulledge was able to hit the nail on the head when it comes to describing what anxiety feels like, as well as other mental health issues that Mona deals with in the book This story does pull a lot from the author’s life, which I also really enjoyed. When you start to tear up on page three, you know it’s going to be an amazing read and that it was.
CW: depression, anxiety, discussion of suicide
⭐️
Mona Starr is going through a tough time. Her best friend moved to Hawaii, leaving her alone. Mona begins to struggle more than ever and decides to see a therapist. There she discusses her Matter: this is what Mona calls her depression and the personified form it takes over her body, heart, mind and life. But through therapy, art, a new friend and unrelated medical procedure she’s able to better understand her Matter and control it. Then she is able to turn her fears into strengths.
⭐️
Wow. The sheer brilliance and beauty of this YA graphic novel knocked the wind out of me tonight. The way the author drew her characters was unlike any style I’ve ever seen in graphic novels. The use of black and white images with pops of yellow was also incredibly unique and powerful. Gulledge was able to hit the nail on the head when it comes to describing what anxiety feels like, as well as other mental health issues that Mona deals with in the book This story does pull a lot from the author’s life, which I also really enjoyed. When you start to tear up on page three, you know it’s going to be an amazing read and that it was.
CW: depression, anxiety, discussion of suicide
rbreade's review
Gulledge writes and draws expertly about what depression is like for a teenage girl--the sheer number of inventive ways she finds to subjectively render the experience of battling depression is astonishing, all in black and white with strategic splashes of yellow to show small moments of progress and triumph.