Scan barcode
A review by mariahistryingtoread
Scout Is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong
5.0
I have trouble with graphic novels as I feel like a lot of them end up sacrificing character building because of the nature of the format. Graphic novels aren't that long and they don't have nearly as many words to tell a story given that, barring special cases, the majority are going to be largely visually driven. Obviously, I know that graphic novels are supposed to rely on the pictures more than the words to convey a story, but that doesn't stop me from wanting more words even if I acknowledge that it makes sense that there aren't more.
I did not have that problem with Scout Is Not A Band Kid. It was a delight from start to finish. I'm a bit biased because my middle school experience was extraordinarily similar in feel if not circumstance to Scout's. I didn't join band, I didn't lose my mom, and all of my friends were big old nerds in their own right. However, I still felt a kinship with Scout, who was stretched thin between who she once was and who she was becoming.
Losing friends is hard. Choosing to cut them loose particularly when they once were so supportive and you shared so much together is even harder; how do you reconcile simply not being compatible friends wise when you're so young? You can love someone to pieces and not be good for one another. It's scary to realize you have to actively hold yourself accountable to making good choices and maintaining your integrity.
I loved the casual inclusion of different gender identities. I liked the way Armstrong wove it in through the usage of little RPG-esque stats boxes. It was a quick way to inform the audience while preserving a kind of immersion in-story. I also liked that it related to the show Scout loved so much.
The book as a whole just made me super nostalgic. I remember being a little obsessed weirdo afraid of change. It’s funny how insignificant so much of it is now; literally nothing I thought was important matters any more. And I don’t even remember half of it.
Taking myself out of the adult perspective for a second, I think this will definitely be relatable for kids today. The themes are relevant outside of specific, individual experience. That being said, even if you don’t relate on any level - maybe you were secure in yourself and uber popular or not interested in ‘nerd’ culture - it’s still a fun, enjoyable story.
The story relies heavily on you buying into both Merrin and Scout’s point of view and I think Armstrong did a great job in creating realistic friction without demonizing either kid for having an alternate viewpoint or values. It was all the sweeter when the two finally became friends.
If you are in need of a pick-me-up this is the read for you.
I did not have that problem with Scout Is Not A Band Kid. It was a delight from start to finish. I'm a bit biased because my middle school experience was extraordinarily similar in feel if not circumstance to Scout's. I didn't join band, I didn't lose my mom, and all of my friends were big old nerds in their own right. However, I still felt a kinship with Scout, who was stretched thin between who she once was and who she was becoming.
Losing friends is hard. Choosing to cut them loose particularly when they once were so supportive and you shared so much together is even harder; how do you reconcile simply not being compatible friends wise when you're so young? You can love someone to pieces and not be good for one another. It's scary to realize you have to actively hold yourself accountable to making good choices and maintaining your integrity.
I loved the casual inclusion of different gender identities. I liked the way Armstrong wove it in through the usage of little RPG-esque stats boxes. It was a quick way to inform the audience while preserving a kind of immersion in-story. I also liked that it related to the show Scout loved so much.
The book as a whole just made me super nostalgic. I remember being a little obsessed weirdo afraid of change. It’s funny how insignificant so much of it is now; literally nothing I thought was important matters any more. And I don’t even remember half of it.
Taking myself out of the adult perspective for a second, I think this will definitely be relatable for kids today. The themes are relevant outside of specific, individual experience. That being said, even if you don’t relate on any level - maybe you were secure in yourself and uber popular or not interested in ‘nerd’ culture - it’s still a fun, enjoyable story.
The story relies heavily on you buying into both Merrin and Scout’s point of view and I think Armstrong did a great job in creating realistic friction without demonizing either kid for having an alternate viewpoint or values. It was all the sweeter when the two finally became friends.
If you are in need of a pick-me-up this is the read for you.