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OLDER FICTION
Greene, Jarad

A for Effort

224 pp. | HarperCollins/HarperAlley | March, 2024 | Trade ISBN 9780063032880 $24.99 | Paper ISBN 9780063032873 $15.99 | Ebook ISBN 9780063032897 $10.99
(2) YA This sequel to A-Okay (rev. 11/21) finds Jay, who previously attended a magnet school across town, starting high school without any friends, a situation made worse by his inherent shyness and lack of confidence. Due to scheduling constraints, he's unable to register for his preferred art class. The counselor convinces him to give theater class a go: the public speaking aspect will satisfy his overbearing parents, and he will be able to indulge his creative impulses in set design. While the class pushes him out of his comfort zone, it also creates a safe space with supportive peers and a warm, if demanding, teacher. This graphic novel is told almost exclusively in dialogue with some brief internal monologue, creating an engaging pace that is further enhanced by varied panel layouts, bright colors, and generous use of white space. A relatable story about a shy, awkward kid coming out of his shell and finding his crowd, this is also a bit of a love letter to the community and camaraderie of youth theater. An author's note suggests the tale is semiautobiographical, while another interesting appendix delves into Greene's creative process for comics.
Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

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