Picture Day
by Sarah Sax; illus. by the author
Middle School    Knopf    288 pp.
6/23    9780593306888    $20.99
Paper ed.  9780593306871    $13.99
Library ed.  9780593306895    $23.99
e-book ed.  9780593306901    $8.99

Tween relationships and identity development are the focus of this engaging contemporary graphic novel. It is middle-school picture day, and Viv is determined to make her mark. Motivated by the potential for online attention and inspired by an affirming social media influencer, she impulsively chops off her signature braid. The act—along with the newly styled haircut that follows—turns heads and boosts her confidence; she finds herself exploring different social connections and trying new activities. However, these new experiences and the attention they offer distract her from her loyal best friends and their long-term project to create a roller-skating routine celebrating a favorite fandom. After she pressures her friends to share their not-yet-ready routine publicly, and it does not go well, Viv is forced to reckon with the impact of her insensitive behavior. The bubbly, thickly lined illustrations showcase the characters’ styles and electronic interactions (texts, social media posts, etc.) with panache. The tensions and resolutions are portrayed through heartfelt dialogue and with pacing that feels authentic for the seventh-grade characters and the setting.­ Recommended­ for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson.

From the September/October 2023 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.