Night and Dana

Gr 9 Up–Best friends Dana and Lily are horror aficionados who have been counting the days until they can move to New York, attend NYU together, and leave their hometown of Boca Bella, FL, behind. They have a growing video channel of pranks and fake accidents where they use special effects make-up. They go a bit too far one school day, landing them in trouble, but rather than suspending them, the principal gives them the opportunity to attend a film class at a local community college. Despite the great opportunity, the two find themselves drifting further apart. Lily begins dating classmate Wye, and Dana befriends Daphne Ocean, a woman who loudly protests about environmental concerns in their area. Dana also has a strained relationship with her mother, and is in charge of caring for her younger brother while her mother works—something her friends can’t relate to. As the story progresses, Dana realizes that there isn’t just one path to attaining her dream. The character designs stand out among other current graphic novels, with a more retro and realistic feel featuring orange, yellow, and green tones. A diverse range of skin tones are seen in both main and background characters.