MIXED FEELINGS

In this semiautobiographical graphic novel debut by actor Amini, a mixed-race girl grapples with identity, friendship, and puberty.

It’s 1999, and middle school isn’t going according to plan for Sara: Her best friend, Monica, seems to have replaced her over the summer, and she’s greeted on the first day of sixth grade by leg hair that definitely wasn’t there the night before. Sara also struggles to navigate complex feelings around her mixed identity—her mom is Colombian and her dad is Iranian—and she doesn’t always feel like she belongs. Awkward or uncomfortable interactions often leave her questioning whether she’s Latina enough or Persian enough. Sara finds comfort in her love of television, which eventually leads her to the school drama club. As her complicated feelings around her identity and relationship with Monica intensify, Sara seeks solace in new friendships and expressing herself on stage, though she soon learns that expressing herself offstage is just as important. Sara’s brightly illustrated journey is nuanced and will resonate with readers who live at the intersection of multiple identities; the serious topics are balanced with a dose of comedy and Amin’s playful art, leaving readers eager for the next installment. Sara’s passion for television introduces pop-culture references to evoke the time period without feeling heavy-handed. Spanish and Farsi words are naturally incorporated and distinguished by different colored text.

A delightful series opener that offers an ideal mix of humor and heart.