A For Effort

March 1, 2024
This sequel to A-Okay (rev. 11/21) finds Jay, who previously attended a magnet school across town, starting high school without any friends, a situation made worse by his inherent shyness and lack of confidence. Due to scheduling constraints, he's unable to register for his preferred art class. The counselor convinces him to give theater class a go: the public speaking aspect will satisfy his overbearing parents, and he will be able to indulge his creative impulses in set design. While the class pushes him out of his comfort zone, it also creates a safe space with supportive peers and a warm, if demanding, teacher. This graphic novel is told almost exclusively in dialogue with some brief internal monologue, creating an engaging pace that is further enhanced by varied panel layouts, bright colors, and generous use of white space. A relatable story about a shy, awkward kid coming out of his shell and finding his crowd, this is also a bit of a love letter to the community and camaraderie of youth theater. An author's note suggests the tale is semiautobiographical, while another interesting appendix delves into Greene's creative process for comics. Jonathan Hunt

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 24, 2024

Gr 8 Up-Not only is Jay entering high school as a freshman, he's also been assigned to take theater class, which he has no experience with. Rather than try to change it, he stays and realizes that he doesn't have to be perfect to succeed. Instantly, he meets a group of friends who are competitive high achievers who welcome him into their circle. However, their hyper-focused studying and perfectionism pose a threat to Jay's life balance as pressure builds from his parents and now his friends to gain a competitive edge. How can Jay strive but not become overstressed? Books featuring the ups and downs of characters who measure their success by their grades are less frequent but much needed. Jay's daily observations in this graphic format will stand the test of time; readers will relate to how he wants to learn and grow, but also have fun. This satisfying, standalone story is the follow-up to Greene's A-Okay, which is based on his middle school years, though not a prerequisite to fall in love with this title. VERDICT This slice-of-life graphic novel is a heartfelt, personal snapshot of an authentically human experience and will have appeal.-Alicia Abdul

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from January 15, 2024
High school freshman Jay Violet steps out of his comfort zone and onto the stage in this semiautobiographical graphic novel. Apart from his older sister, Jay doesn't know anyone at his new high school. To make matters worse, he gets stuck with theater as his elective instead of art. At first, he hopes it will be an easy A, but all his classes, including theater, require way more work than last year. Jay's parents pressure him to start preparing for college, and his new friends pressure him to compete for the highest grades. Despite how anxious Jay feels speaking in front of a crowd, the challenge of becoming better at theater draws him in more than he expects. On top of Jay's academic woes, he's also grappling with friendships and with finding the confidence to express himself. This sequel to A-Okay (2021) introduces a new conflict and a new cast of characters, apart from Jay and his family, but familiarity with the first book will provide helpful background, particularly for the continued exploration of Jay's asexuality. The art reflects racial diversity in the student body around Jay, but most of the central characters read white. The varied panel layouts and animated character movements balance the introspective nature of the conflict. A vulnerable and encouraging school drama. (process notes, author's note) (Graphic fiction. 11-14)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2024
This sequel to A-Okay (rev. 11/21) finds Jay, who previously attended a magnet school across town, starting high school without any friends, a situation made worse by his inherent shyness and lack of confidence. Due to scheduling constraints, he's unable to register for his preferred art class. The counselor convinces him to give theater class a go: the public speaking aspect will satisfy his overbearing parents, and he will be able to indulge his creative impulses in set design. While the class pushes him out of his comfort zone, it also creates a safe space with supportive peers and a warm, if demanding, teacher. This graphic novel is told almost exclusively in dialogue with some brief internal monologue, creating an engaging pace that is further enhanced by varied panel layouts, bright colors, and generous use of white space. A relatable story about a shy, awkward kid coming out of his shell and finding his crowd, this is also a bit of a love letter to the community and camaraderie of youth theater. An author's note suggests the tale is semiautobiographical, while another interesting appendix delves into Greene's creative process for comics.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)