Making Friends, Volume 1

May 14, 2018
Dany’s first shock comes while drawing idly in a sketchbook that she’s inherited: her drawing of Prince Neptune, a favorite anime character, springs to life from the page. Apparently, the sketchbook can make anything that she draws real. Adrift in middle school, insecure Dany is thrilled to realize that she can create a cool best friend who won’t scorn her, but she forgets to give her creation, Madison, a credible backstory. Injecting fantasy into an angsty school-life story allows Gudsnuk (creator of the Henchgirl series) a wealth of plot twists. Dany learns the ropes of middle school with help from a loyal, funny friend, Tom, while grappling with the implications of Madison’s free will and her own new abilities. Gudsnuk’s sturdy cartooning gets added spice from Prince Neptune’s anime world as well as elfin mini-characters who make snarky asides: “adios, muchacho,” one says to the defeated Prince after he fails to take over the world during a school pep rally. Gudsnuk’s powers of imagination will make her plenty of friends, too. Ages 8–12.

May 15, 2018
Making friends is tough in a new school; could a magical notebook be the answer?Seventh grade is not beginning well for Dany; her two besties are not in any of her classes, and not only is she having a tough time making new friends, she is also being bullied. One day, Dany inherits an unusual sketchbook from her recently deceased great-aunt. While sketching her favorite evil prince from the beloved anime Solar Sisters, she discovers that anything she draws in the notebook becomes real. Dany then creates for herself the perfect best friend: Madison Fontaine, a trendy new girl from New York City who is knowledgeable about trends, sassy, and fun. However, Dany soon learns that even if you tailor-make your own BFF, how you treat them still matters. This charming graphic novel features full-color, manga-inspired illustrations and a breezy plot that blends wish fulfillment and fantasy with an approachable and contemporary storyline. With a broad brush, Gudsnuk hits many of the angst-y issues of middle school, including popularity, bullying, family relationships, body image, and fandom, creating appeal for a large swath of readers. Main character Dany is white and seemingly comfortably middle-class, as is her creation, Madison. Secondary characters offer a bit more inclusivity, portraying different races, ethnicities, and orientations.A nifty pastiche of middle school matters. (Graphic fantasy. 7-12)

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Starred review from July 1, 2018

Gr 4-7-While her family bickers over who gets what from their late matriarch's belongings, 12-year-old Dany comes into possession of her grandmother's sketchbook. Dany draws the portrait of a prince from her favorite anime series into the notebook, and, to her surprise, the character's head comes off the page and starts giving life advice. Dany decides to draw herself a best friend, whom she names Madison, to help mitigate the horrors of middle school. Unfortunately, not only does Madison resent Dany for her seemingly frivolous existence but the prince's cruel advice might not be what Dany is looking for. This brief volume accomplishes a hefty amount of storytelling as Dany uses magic to avoid uncomfortable situations but must contend with unintended consequences. She struggles with loneliness at school, bullies, and her dysfunctional family while simultaneously working out her relationship with Madison, all rendered in a visual style taken right out of a Cartoon Network show. The supernatural elements blend seamlessly with the everyday situations. Toward the end, the title references "magical girl" media (a manga and anime genre), making it a likely hit with reluctant readers and fans of these works. VERDICT Making Friends is the Scott Pilgrim for the tweenage set, perfect for any younger readers' graphic novel collection.-Matisse Mozer, Los Angeles Public Library

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