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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
A high school drama for the modern age, Girlmode packs a lot into a few pages. Phoebe's journey to understand girlhood and navigate the world of dating was relatable, funny, frustrating, and timely. The art style was so fun and pretty, it reminded me of Betty and Veronica comics while the dialogue and unpacking of the contradictions of womanhood felt like Greta Gerwig's famous Barbie monologue. I enjoyed the extended discussions on femininity and gender roles between the characters, in the English class discussion of Jane Eyre, and the theater department's production of Little Shop of Horrors. I appreciated MacKenzie's arc as Phoebe's friend, who acts as Phoebe's mentor but makes her own mistakes and learns from them in order to be a better friend. I also liked seeing Phoebe learn to surf and stand up for herself from a queer elder. There were a couple of offensive terms thrown around casually by the teens in the story that were never addressed, but perhaps that's authentic to high schoolers today. I would've liked to see a bit more resolution in the end, but it felt like the author kept it open ended to reflect Phoebe's work in progress.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Phoebe's just moved to LA after recently beginning her transition, and all she wants is to blend in — but it turns out, when you're a trans girl, pretty much everyone has ideas about who you are and what you should be. As Phoebe plays catch-up, trying to figure out boys, clothes, and friendship, a bigger question hangs overhead... what kind of a girl is Phoebe, underneath all the assumptions other people have? At turns clever and brutal, Girlmode is a coming-of-age graphic novel with a lot of bite, and the kind of book I wish I could gift to my 15-year-old self.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Ahhh I loved this book so much.
I wish there had been more consequences forBen’s actions but I understand that would’ve made the story much more complicated and drawn out so I know why it wasn’t included
I loved this book so much. When I have a kid this will be required reading for them upon entering teenage years.
I wish there had been more consequences for
I loved this book so much. When I have a kid this will be required reading for them upon entering teenage years.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
A really interesting breakdown of patriarchal expectations! Even though the story primarily focuses on Phoebe’s journey as a trans girl, I liked the way cis Mackenzie served as a foil and ended up with her own self-reflection plot, too. Really drove home how all girls are fighting the same battle.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Transphobia
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual harassment
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the art style and the main message of this graphic novel. I think it offers an interesting perspective on the intersection of trans identity and the performance of “femininity” from all women, cis and trans alike. The ending bumped it back up to a four. The relationships in this are poor by design, but Phoebe’s friendship with Mackenzie is very well done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Abandonment
medium-paced
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes