The new graphic novel written by Magdalene Visaggio with art from Paulina Ganucheau, tells the story of Phoebe Zito, a recently transitioned girl as she tries to figure out who she is—while trying to manage who everyone else wants her to be. I don’t want to bury the lead, so let’s get this out of the way; the book is amazing. I did not get to experience life as a teenage girl, let alone one growing up in the current time. Still, Visaggio’s writing makes Pheobe’s experience at once deeply personal and also able to be understood by anyone who has had to figure out who they want to be. The art by Ganucheau is a perfect fit for the story being told. It is beautiful and never undercuts the serious message being portrayed by the writing.
Phoebe has recently moved to a new town with her Dad after transitioning. Her mother has issues with her choices, but all she wants is to keep her head down and get through the day. Almost from the moment she walks into her new school, she is being pulled in multiple directions with both the geeks and socialites (apologies, not sure what the current hip titles of the cliques would be today) wanting to claim her as one of their own. Neither side is seen as being wholly right or wrong, and her relationship with both sides is complex. We follow Pheobe as she navigates both sides and eventually starts to figure out the things and people who matter to her. I have rarely read a book that made me wince, cry, and want to shout with joy all in the same 200-odd pages.
All in all one of favorite graphic novels of the year and I think you should pick this one up as quick as you can.
Paper Phoenix ink 