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A review by marylannireads
Fresh Start: A Graphic Novel by Gale Galligan
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
As the child of a diplomat, Ollie is used to moving every couple of years, and with each new International School comes a brand new set of friends. This relatively nomadic lifestyle works for Ollie because she can start with a clean slate with frequency in places where nobody remembers mistakes she has made in the past. So, when Ollie’s parents announce that the family will be buying a house in Virginia, Ollie is uncomfortable with the idea of settling in one location for longer than she ever has before. Luckily, shared interests and positive intent help Ollie find a way to plant deeper roots, and her promise to keep her feet planted encourages Ollie to overcome some of the interpersonal challenges she has faced throughout her life.
This coming of age graphic novel is centered around Ollie, a character who presents as non-binary despite being referred to with female pronouns. Throughout the story, Ollie experiences many of the same challenges as other middle school girls, including getting her period at an inopportune time and not having the most positive relationship with her mother. But through it all, Ollie’s interest in Anime, hedgehogs, and art help to propel her past the discomfort and into a place where she begins to feel both comfortable and accepted. As she embraces her Thai heritage in her new American home, Ollie encounters the difficulties of being a “third culture kid” as she adjusts to the many changes that come from residing in one stable location for an extended period of time.
Fans of graphic novels and Anime will appreciate the design and the tone of this book, especially because the illustrations mirror many Anime expressions. Word bubbles, asides, and images work together to recount the narrative in a dynamic way, and even though the font is small, it is clear enough for most readers. In addition to English, Thai language is used with some frequency throughout the book, and German words appear from time to time, as well. This language diversity enhances the depiction of Ollie and her family as a multicultural blend of humans that has lived in many locales around the world. Endearing and accessible, this is an enjoyable coming of age graphic novel that will be particularly appealing to middle grade readers.
This coming of age graphic novel is centered around Ollie, a character who presents as non-binary despite being referred to with female pronouns. Throughout the story, Ollie experiences many of the same challenges as other middle school girls, including getting her period at an inopportune time and not having the most positive relationship with her mother. But through it all, Ollie’s interest in Anime, hedgehogs, and art help to propel her past the discomfort and into a place where she begins to feel both comfortable and accepted. As she embraces her Thai heritage in her new American home, Ollie encounters the difficulties of being a “third culture kid” as she adjusts to the many changes that come from residing in one stable location for an extended period of time.
Fans of graphic novels and Anime will appreciate the design and the tone of this book, especially because the illustrations mirror many Anime expressions. Word bubbles, asides, and images work together to recount the narrative in a dynamic way, and even though the font is small, it is clear enough for most readers. In addition to English, Thai language is used with some frequency throughout the book, and German words appear from time to time, as well. This language diversity enhances the depiction of Ollie and her family as a multicultural blend of humans that has lived in many locales around the world. Endearing and accessible, this is an enjoyable coming of age graphic novel that will be particularly appealing to middle grade readers.