FRAMED

A middle schooler’s internal struggles crescendo into hurtful outbursts in this relatable graphic novel.

Everyone has noticed a shift in Toby, but she lashes out when others try to help. After botching her art assignment and then trashing it, Toby shouts down her art teacher and receives lunchtime detention. There she meets two other students, Layla and Reed, whom she treats with the same rudeness she’s been showing to everyone else. Just before they’re all done serving their time, their art teacher storms in to accuse Toby of sneaking out of detention and destroying her classmates’ canvases. Toby’s parents will be there at day’s end for a conference to discuss consequences. Layla and Reed know Toby is innocent, and after lunch, they all start an investigation to prove she had nothing to do with the crime. While the narrative’s resolution stretches credulity, seeing Toby work together with her new friends to find the actual culprit is satisfying. Her parents handle her distress with love and reassurance, providing a potential roadmap for families dealing with similar issues (it turns out Toby’s angst is rooted in family problems). The bright, bold illustrations are reminiscent of the animated series Steven Universe; paired with the empathetic story and writing, it’s a winning combination. Toby is pale-skinned, Layla is brown-skinned, and Reed is tan-skinned; their school is diverse.

Every picture tells a story, and this one speaks adroitly to the power of sharing your feelings.