Turning Twelve

Gr 4-7–In this follow up to Growing Pangs, Ormsbee and Brooks explore adolescence and first crushes. Katie turns 12 and is worried about the onset of puberty. Her close friends from her religious homeschool co-op are leaving due to a family emergency and will not be auditioning for a theater production of Annie. While Katie does not get her dream role, she meets a new friend named Grace, for whom Katie begins to realize she has deeper feelings. Katie tries to stay true to herself as she questions things that others tell her to believe. Through Katie’s story Ormsbee and Brooks craft a graphic novel that provides a realistic and empathetic exploration of understanding one’s identity. Her struggle to ask questions and identify her feelings, especially in the religious community, will be relatable to young readers with similar journeys. Brooks’s art effectively conveys the emotions and moods of the characters, and the selection of color and framing highlight the power of Katie’s first crush. This title is recommended for collections where the first volume is in circulation and where Raina Telegemeier’s books are popular.