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Many graphic novels for children and young adults that I’ve been reading as a judge for the 2024 Cybils Awards are about new beginnings at new schools. One of my favourite books in this category, HOW IT ALL ENDS by Emma Hunsinger (ages 12+), is a brilliantly executed, belly-achingly hilarious and cleverly illustrated tale of 13-year-old Tara’s premature jump from middle school to high school. Skipping grade nine doesn’t seem that big a deal to the wildly imaginative and high-performing teen … until the first day of school arrives. Tara is swept into a heaving crowd of chaotic high school bodies and even more chaotic behaviours, armed only with a school map hastily drawn by her best friend and older sister, Isla, and accompanied by her bearded ex-middle school classmate, Jessup, who clings to Tara like she’s an inflatable life buoy. Will our beloved Baby Genius survive the exhibitionist males in her English class? Will she lose herself in the labyrinthian hallways of high school? Will she find friends and fit in? You’ll have to read the book to find out HOW IT ALL ENDS (you won’t regret it, promise!).
For past reviews of other books, check out my other website, Stories That Stay With Us.
November 24, 2024
How It All Ends (Graphic Novel)
If I can create a mirror for even one child in the world, I will have accomplished something meaningful
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