BE THAT WAY

A ’90s teenager pours her heart out in style.

Sixteen-year-old Christine, living in Asheville, North Carolina, begins her year of diary entries with a New Year’s resolution: “BE SHINY! (And get a new boyfriend.)” Her best friend, Landry, has better luck with boys, and their relationship is turbulent, eventually culminating in an intense physical fight. Despite her friendship woes, Christine stays focused, continuing to write for her school newspaper and later getting a summer job at the local video store. Her experimentation with dating wealthy neighbor Whit is tumultuous, and good friend and fellow student journalist Paul is an additional, complicated love interest. Each beat of this drama is compulsively readable and intense; Christine’s interior life is full of rage, hyperbole, sarcasm, and vulnerability—especially as she also is mourning her father’s death. The best parts of the diary entries are Christine’s incredible drawings, which are generously interspersed throughout. Ranging from simple pen-and-ink-style sketches to intricate full-page spreads featuring gorgeous detail, diverse techniques, and searing emotion, even the more quotidian details are brought to life. Fans of Larson’s graphic novels will appreciate the short, intermittent full-color comic panels that are especially reminiscent of her trademark style. Some misogynistic name-calling and cruel descriptions of other people that aren't unpacked may make it difficult for readers to always root for Christine. All characters read white.

An emotional and art-filled slice of teenage life.