Jorge is so cool.
Later.
Bye!
He's always super nice ...
... and I noticed that -
Is there a problem here?
- he's kinda like the school
sheriff. Him and Olivia both.
Always looking out for people ... "
Jensen is quiet and kind, loves comics and video games, and is particularly interested in the art club. It is his dream to be brave. He thinks he can be. He would like to brave the mean kids, the school classes he finds difficult, and the challenge of finding new friends. It is not his reality. In truth, he avoids classmates who insult and harass him, has big problems with math, and the only students who appear to be friendly are those who need him to run errands and provide answers to questions they have concerning research about bullying. Jensen does not acknowledge that bullying is a part of his school life. Accepting that it is amps up his anxiety.
It is heartbreaking to watch as he reacts to this new understanding. There is great opportunity here for frank discussions about what being a true friend is, and about how bullying manifests in middle school settings. Does this graphic novel reflect what is true about middle school life? I think it does. As Jensen moves from acceptance of the daily business of school to understanding that he is, in fact, being targeted by two boys has him blaming himself. With support from fellow classmates like Jorge, Penelope, Olivia, Jenny, Akilah and Felipe, he begins to see himself in a different light. Readers who like Jensen, and can relate to his reality, will be with him as he gets a little braver, more retrospective, and even accepts that he has something to offer to others because of his experiences.
The artwork is outstanding, allowing readers to feel the full power of the story.
I am off to find a copy of the first in this series about the students at Berrybrook Middle School, awkward (Little Brown, 2015). Then, I will patiently await the release of crush at the end of October.
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