planning2read's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Great graphic novel for the middle school crowd. Lightly touches on puberty, first crushes but mostly discusses complicated friend dynamics. Basing it on T&S meant the internal dialogue could really be a conversation. Love that. Looking forward to book 2!
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
The characters deal with minor homophobia, but they defend themselves as do those around them.theyellowbrickreader's review
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
jayreadsthings's review
fast-paced
5.0
Super cute and quick read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Bullying
honuzbubbles's review
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
pucksandpaperbacks's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
CW: Internalized homophobia, homophobia: gay used as an insult, divorced parents, bullying, anxious thoughts/comments
I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.
Go back in time to junior high with the debut graphic novel from the twin musicians, Tegan and Sara, illustrated by Tillie Walden.
If you’re looking for a new coming of age story, JUNIOR HIGH is it. In a fictionalized retelling of Tegan and Sara’s life in junior high, we follow the twins through all of their struggles: parent’s divorce, first crushes, sexuality awakenings, bullying, and trying to make friends.
I enjoyed how the story was told despite it being fictionalized to fit modern times with references to the Nintendo Switch, Billie Ellish, and Stranger Things. JUNIOR HIGH is a relatable read for anyone who survived middle school and for queer kids especially.
I’ve learned recently that I like reading books following twins. It’s such a unique perspective especially in graphic novel form. In JUNIOR HIGH, Sara’s color is red, and Tegan is blue which helps the reader tell them apart.
I knew of Tegan and Sara before reading this graphic novel, but I didn’t know much about their life. I appreciated the author’s note at the end of the book because it shares what the real-life situation was from the fictionalized version.
JUNIOR HIGH is the perfect sleepover read!
I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.
Go back in time to junior high with the debut graphic novel from the twin musicians, Tegan and Sara, illustrated by Tillie Walden.
If you’re looking for a new coming of age story, JUNIOR HIGH is it. In a fictionalized retelling of Tegan and Sara’s life in junior high, we follow the twins through all of their struggles: parent’s divorce, first crushes, sexuality awakenings, bullying, and trying to make friends.
I enjoyed how the story was told despite it being fictionalized to fit modern times with references to the Nintendo Switch, Billie Ellish, and Stranger Things. JUNIOR HIGH is a relatable read for anyone who survived middle school and for queer kids especially.
I’ve learned recently that I like reading books following twins. It’s such a unique perspective especially in graphic novel form. In JUNIOR HIGH, Sara’s color is red, and Tegan is blue which helps the reader tell them apart.
I knew of Tegan and Sara before reading this graphic novel, but I didn’t know much about their life. I appreciated the author’s note at the end of the book because it shares what the real-life situation was from the fictionalized version.
JUNIOR HIGH is the perfect sleepover read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
questingnotcoasting's review
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
Tillie Walden is one of my favourite illustrators and Tegan and Sara are one of my favourite bands so this was one of my most anticipated books of the year. Overall I really enjoyed it and I loved the art, particularly the purple colour palette. I didn't find the story quite as engaging as their memoir High School (which I really loved), but since this is aimed at younger readers that made sense. It's based on Tegan and Sara's real experiences but set in present day, instead of the 1990s, which was an interesting choice. It definitely worked but because I was already familiar with their story, I occasionally forgot and then seeing the characters with mobile phones would surprise me. I didn't know there was going to be a sequel so that's exciting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
lettuce_read's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia
meganpbell's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This “lightly fictionalized” graphic memoir follows a modern-day Tegan and Sara of indie pop fame as middle schoolers at a new school, developing different friend groups, facing mean girls, discovering the guitar, forming a band, getting their periods, acquiring crushes, coming out, and more. At 32, I’m not the target market and was occasionally bored tbh, but I think Raina Telgemeier fans will love this emotionally real exploration of 7th grade.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
Minor: Blood
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's for an advanced copy of Tegan and Sara: Junior High Ilby Tegan and Sara Quin to review! Illustrated by Tillie Walden, I knew I had to pick this one up. Tillie Walden is one of my favorite graphic novel creators. Love some queer middle grade graphic novels, too!
The art: phenomenal. Of course, we wouldn't expect anything less from Walden. I just love her art style, and this one incorporates what looks like watercolor. The layouts and the illustrations lend themselves well to this particular story, and the use of color for the different sisters helps show who is speaking.
However, the writing felt a little all over the place to me. Some of the storylines were a bit difficult to follow, and some of the pages felt a little to wordy. The themes hit on classic middle school themes, with the added context of them being twins. I was also confused as to why they decided to change the story to present day? The story might have worked better if they would have kept it set in the 90s. Kids would still dig that! The 90s are in, apparently. I think it would have helped make the writing feel less like it was all over the place.
All in all, loved this for the illustrations, just wish the writing would have been a little tighter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia
jazzyjbox's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I grew up listening to Tegan and Sara with my mom, so I was beyond excited to see this graphic novel! Semi-autobiographical in nature but modernized, the story of pre-teen Tegan and Sara is relatable for people experiencing changes like a new school, new friends, and new feelings.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
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