A welcome addition to graphic storytelling.
Rose wants to pursue her dream of becoming a great chef; unfortunately, money and her parents’ marriage woes are major obstacles.
Rose, whose father is White and mother is Black, takes any opportunity to try her hand at making desserts. Her impulse to serve one of her creations to an influential food critic dining at the restaurant where she waitresses results in an opportunity to join a London baking competition that could help fund her dreams of culinary school. It takes a bit of arm-twisting, but she convinces her friend Fred, a freckled, redheaded White boy whose mom owns the restaurant where they both work, to come along as her partner. The two of them are plunged into an intense battle to stay in the contest as they face underhanded competitors, challenging ingredients, and personal setbacks, all of which are designed to make compelling television viewing. As they work together to get through the tough rounds, Rose and Fred find their friendship growing into something more. This delightful graphic novel with its multiracial cast is a nice blend of romance, contemporary culture, and coming-of-age themes. Baking-obsessed Rose has an infectious personality, and the supporting cast members contribute to a lively narrative that is well supported by bright, expressive art. Recipes included throughout the text will inspire readers to experiment in the kitchen themselves.
A welcome addition to graphic storytelling. (Graphic fiction. 12-17)Pub Date: June 7, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4197-5075-5
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: April 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
An engaging read for sports fans and romance lovers alike.
Elite competition and family legacy take center stage in this ice-rink romance.
To 16-year-old ice skater Adriana Russo, daughter of Olympic gold medalist parents, the spotlight is simply part of life at Boston’s prestigious, family-owned Kellynch Rink. Her older sister, Elisa, stars in a reality TV show with their dad and is on her way to compete in the Beijing Olympics. Maria, her younger sister, is embroiled in relationship drama with her figure skating partner, Charlie Monroe. Meanwhile, Adriana and her ice dancing partner, Brayden Elliott, are preparing for the Junior World Championships in Paris. Enter Freddie O’Connell, former crush, ice dance partner, and best friend, and Adriana has a lot more on her mind than perfecting her routine. Complicating things further is her fictitious romance with Brayden that is vaulting them to social media fame. Behind the glamour, though, is the overwhelming debt created by her father’s lavish spending since the death of her mother four years earlier and the pressure Adriana feels to help keep the family afloat financially. Strained family dynamics and setbacks on the ice add to the obstacles that threaten to distract Adriana from her goals. Woven throughout the story are behind-the-scenes looks into the world of competitive skating and the all-encompassing commitment required and physical demands the athletes face daily. Adriana and most other central characters read as White; Charlie and his family are Black.
An engaging read for sports fans and romance lovers alike. (Romance. 12-17)Pub Date: Feb. 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35036-2
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A thoughtful, relationship-driven story.
A high school girl is unhappy about starting over in a new town and school, but she finds solace at the local mall.
It’s 2003, and 15-year-old, proudly out bisexual Liv Holme is struggling after her family’s move. Navigating high school is hard enough, especially since being bullied at her old school after the other girls found out about her crush on Angelina Jolie has left Liv feeling defensive. On top of that, her parents’ marriage is in trouble, and her father is gone a lot. But Liv enjoys hanging out at the mall where her mother works and where she meets some fellow goths who go to her school. Poetry lover Liv also receives attention and support from Mr. Trent, her English teacher: He goes out of his way to compliment her, gives her a copy of Lolita, and chats with her online outside of school hours. Over time, Mr. Trent’s behavior makes Liv increasingly uncomfortable, and she struggles with intense feelings she doesn’t know how to handle. Liv’s emotional struggles, vividly shown in the expressive art, will feel relatable to many readers. Leth’s clean, uncluttered illustrations expertly transport readers back to early 2000s suburbia through details such as technology, fashion, pop-culture references, and mall storefronts. Sousa’s muted color palette adds to the feeling of nostalgia. Liv and most other characters read white.
A thoughtful, relationship-driven story. (Graphic fiction. 12-17)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9781534476950
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
PERSPECTIVES
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