How It All Ends
by Emma Hunsinger; illus. by the author
Middle School, High School    Greenwillow    304 pp.
8/24    9780063158153    $25.99
Paper ed.  9780063158146    $15.99
e-book ed.  9780063158160    $9.99

In this quick-paced graphic novel, Tara’s runaway thoughts are great when she plays pretend with her baby brother but not so great when she feels anxious about skipping eighth grade to go directly to high school. Her slightly older and wiser sister gives her tips, but Tara still has a lot of fears and questions. What if she’s offered drugs—“Wait…what do drugs look like?” She strikes up an initially reluctant but supportive friendship with a fellow middle schooler who was moved up a grade and eventually befriends one of the only other girls in her English class, Libby (the rest of the class is prone to yelling “salami!” and taking off their shirts). As Tara continues to learn the ropes of the high-school social scene (should she pretend to think her favorite singer “sucks” because her sister’s crush thinks so?), she explores her feelings for Libby, which unfold gently, if a little awkwardly. Detailed vignette-style illustrations blend Tara’s lived experience with elaborate scenes from her mind, the difference indicated by color washes: teals for real life; bursts of gold to emphasize happy details and other strong emotions; red for her worry-filled thoughts. Funny and honest, this book is a poignant and relatable look at coming of age and the daunting transition to high school.

From the "September/October 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.