Marika McCoola

From Eisner-Award nominated writer Marika McCoola and debut artist Aatmaja Pandya, an emotional coming-of-age graphic novel for fans of Bloom and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me. Right before Jade is about to leave for a summer art intensive, her best friend, Phoebe, attempts suicide. How is Jade supposed to focus on herself right now? But at the Art Farm, Jade has artistic opportunities she’s been waiting for her whole life. And as she gets to know her classmates, she begins to fall for whimsical, upbeat, comfortable-in-her-own-skin Mary. Jade pours herself into making ceramic monsters that vent her stress and insecurities, but when she puts her creatures in the kiln, something unreal happens: they come to life. And they’re taking a stand: if Jade won’t confront her problems, her problems are going to confront her, including the scariest of them all—if Jade grows, prospers, and even falls in love this summer, is she leaving Phoebe behind?

Slip

Wes Michaud

The art was beautiful the queer rep great the magical elements and the way it explored grief and letting go of worries and things you love was amazing

kait

this was a sad story and i was hoping for a little bit more from it. i think it would have made much more of an impact if i was reading this at a younger age but still alright.

I love the message its trying to convey, however the delivery feels too rushed and all over the places, some elements kinda blant and stiff too. But in general, it is a nice book.

Latitude Tamarind

I actually got this book through a blog tour, which I’ve never done before and I was very excited to participate in! So this post gets specific thanks to Algonquin Books’ publicist for finding me and inviting me — obviously I am Pleased As Punch about it.

This is a queer graphic novel in three colors: black and white and red, which really works for this art style and this setting and characters. I really enjoyed the art in this book, and it really helps bring the characters to life here. It’s a book about the magic of summer, the emotional turmoil over friends and changing and growing up, and also about being a ceramicist. I don’t think I’ve ever read about a ceramicist before, although as a child I was obsessed with a book about a glass-blower (Alien in a Bottle by Kathy Mackel), which was my only context for some of these Ceramics Terms. I really liked this one! If you enjoyed Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up with Me, or even, say, Ophelia After All, I think you’ll like this one two. Four and a half stars; rounded up for NetGalley. (and Goodreads).

Elizabeth Hagenlocher

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for an ARC of Slip in exchange for an honest review. 

Slip follows the story of a high school girl named Jade. After an event that pulls her away from her best friend, she's reluctant to go to the Art Farm, a one month program to help young artists build their portfolio. Yet, she doesn't have much of a choice, and is left to grapple with what's happened while she's away. Jade struggles to make her art and develop it in a meaningful way while processing these new and overwhelming emotions. 

Jade, at the center of the story, is learning how to function without her best friend, and doesn't know how she can support that friend during a difficult time in her life. She also feels as though she's leagues behind the other artists she's in the program with, and has to combat these feelings of inadequacy (seemingly) alone.

This is such a gripping story about the complicated nature of relationships (of all types). Especially when you feel as though there are a million other parts of your life vying for attention. The book also touches on how to wrangle complex topics into your artistic work, without letting those emotions consume you or destroy you. 

Beautifully written, impactful illustrations. Just awesome, all around <3 A must read for any young artist or creative. 

Vaguely spoiler-y content warning:
This book does deal with themes of suicide, and I think it can potentially be a tough read for those who experience suicidal thoughts. On the other hand, we are seeing the story through the eyes of someone who feels helpless to be there for their friend who has attempted this. I've personally been there, and I think that this can be a helpful book for someone who is processing those emotions.

Slip

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