(2) 4-6 In this third installment of the graphic novel series (Picture Day, rev. 9/23; Tryouts, rev. 7/24), wallflower Milo Castillo steps into the spotlight. Unlike the rest of his family and his dear abuela Dalia (who has recently moved in with them), Milo hates dancing; he believes he is cursed after a series of dance-related disasters. To help Milo prepare for his school's winter formal, Dalia takes him to a weekly Tejano social dance night, where he begins to relax and enjoy himself. But even though Dalia isn't allowed to drive her beloved convertible without Milo's parents present, she takes her car to the dance nights and asks Milo not to tell. A frightening accident reveals the stressful secret and forces Milo to assert himself and confront the discomfort of being stuck between his parents and his grandmother. The story blends a heartfelt, realistic look at intergenerational bonds and middle-school life with some slapstick humor, as Milo's best friends, Viv (who is managing a crush) and Al (who yearns for snow through a dry winter), offer comic relief and genuine support. The graphic-novel format is effectively utilized, with bold, energetic line work; rich, jewel-toned colors; and well-paced visual spreads. Broader themes of identity development and self-trust are ever-present without being too heavy-handed. By the time the school's Snowball Soiree arrives, Milo's confidence has grown, and he is ready to move proudly to his own beat.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(1) 4-6 Brinkley Yearbooks series. This addition to the Brinkley Yearbooks graphic novel series (Picture Day, rev. 9/23) stands on its own. Alexandra Olsen -- or Al -- loves baseball. Her middle school's team has won nine back-to-back championships, and they are shooting for a "full decade of baseball dominance." With encouragement from the new coach, Al tries out and makes the cut; she becomes the only girl on the team. When the school's attention-obsessed athletic director calls in a news crew to report on the gender-inclusive baseball season, Al's teammates end up resenting her for hogging the spotlight despite her best efforts to share it. Meanwhile, the school's girls' basketball team is crushing it on the court, but their record-setting season is all but ignored. As Al tries to rebuild teamwork and trust on and off the field, her best friends are also branching out, joining the art club and resurrecting a retired school mascot (a goose called "The Brinkley Beak"). These friends are part of Al's stellar support system, which buoys her spirits as she reclaims and reframes her story. With bold black outlines, striking color work, and dynamic layouts, the art adds further depth to the well-paced plot, memorable characters, and well-realized setting. In one impressively delineated scene, characters converse clearly while playing a chaotic game of dodgeball. Rollicking and tender, this comic knocks it out of the park.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(2) 4-6 Tween relationships and identity development are the focus of this engaging contemporary graphic novel. It is middle-school picture day, and Viv is determined to make her mark. Motivated by the potential for online attention and inspired by an affirming social media influencer, she impulsively chops off her signature braid. The act--along with the newly styled haircut that follows--turns heads and boosts her confidence; she finds herself exploring different social connections and trying new activities. However, these new experiences and the attention they offer distract her from her loyal best friends and their long-term project to create a roller-skating routine celebrating a favorite fandom. After she pressures her friends to share their not-yet-ready routine publicly, and it does not go well, Viv is forced to reckon with the impact of her insensitive behavior. The bubbly, thickly lined illustrations showcase the characters' styles and electronic interactions (texts, social media posts, etc.) with panache. The tensions and resolutions are portrayed through heartfelt dialogue and with pacing that feels authentic for the seventh-grade characters and the setting. Recommended for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson.

Reviewer: Elisa Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023