inessasbooks's review against another edition
5.0
The cutest and sweetest graphic novel (was smiling pretty much the whole time!) great for all ages.
audreyliz964's review against another edition
4.0
I don't read too many graphic novels, but this was a really cute, relatable story with a positive message. And the art is fun and colorful. I'll probably be checking out the other two by this author!
sam_antics's review against another edition
5.0
Okay that was so stinking cute! I really enjoyed this story.
lispylibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
http://lispylibrarian.weebly.com/lispy-librarian-vlog-blog/awkward-by-svetlana-chmakova
Super cute! I really liked this middle grades graphic novel. Peppi (Penelope) starts a new school and starts off on the wrong foot by accidentally pushing another "nerd" when she is being teased. She joins art club and makes friends. As the school club fair comes up, the principal makes the art and science club have a competition for who can do the most for the school to get a table. During the competition, both clubs end up being unfair to each other and the principal ends both clubs. Peppi has to get the art club and the science club to work together so that they can have their clubs again. She learns a very important friendship lesson while learning how to find her own voice.
Super cute! I really liked this middle grades graphic novel. Peppi (Penelope) starts a new school and starts off on the wrong foot by accidentally pushing another "nerd" when she is being teased. She joins art club and makes friends. As the school club fair comes up, the principal makes the art and science club have a competition for who can do the most for the school to get a table. During the competition, both clubs end up being unfair to each other and the principal ends both clubs. Peppi has to get the art club and the science club to work together so that they can have their clubs again. She learns a very important friendship lesson while learning how to find her own voice.
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable tale of middle school problems. I liked the story of becoming friends and geocaching. I think the art club comics were a little drawn out and the book could have been shorter. But a strong middle school graphic novel.
ryumadi's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
halschrieve's review against another edition
5.0
I remember reading and really enjoying the Dramacon and Nightschool series when I was in middle school, and while it took me a while to get around to reading Awkward and Brave, I am so glad I did. Chmakova has evolved so much as a writer and created a middle school story that is winningly wholesome and which simultaneously builds something deeply earnest and realistic within the stylistic parameters of a kids’ manga. She takes on the topics of bullying, insecurity and rivalry in school settings, and while she keeps everything G-rated and winsome for parents (all the central characters are deeply earnest about school clubs and are shown having productive, creative passions—nobody is too cool to get excited about an engaging science or art project), she shows an array of personalities and personal issues that ring true even for very young children. Some are shy and some have inexplicable focused interests, some are control freaks and some are intensely charismatic. Some are jerks, just like real life kids can be. Her characters are racially diverse and have rich, plausible home lives (Jaime’s mother uses a wheelchair and is a painter and his dad helps him hide geocaches and work on science projects). The cool science teacher, Ms. T, heads up the science club that Peppi’s art club is competing with, but Ms. T is shown as caring about and championing the interests of all her students, encouraging Peppi to combine her interests in art with science and draw, for example, a diagram of mermaid anatomy.
Kids are also shown taking responsibility for the emotional impact their actions have on one another and behaving in increasingly considerate ways to one another throughout the book as they realize the consequences of treating each other badly. In an era where little children’s media talks much about social and moral responsibility (I remember with unease an episode of the recent chibified Teen Titans show where one character’s pet bit other characters and then destroyed their pets and was never reprimanded by the narrative for this) I think this is vital.
While some kids’ books about friendship can be both sugary sweet and mind-achingly dumb (I am thinking of manga like Beauty Pop or Kitchen Princess, as well as some more recent American comics) this one manages to be both engaging and fresh. It also may encourage kids to be kind to each other and to pursue their interests actively, regardless of what people think.
Kids are also shown taking responsibility for the emotional impact their actions have on one another and behaving in increasingly considerate ways to one another throughout the book as they realize the consequences of treating each other badly. In an era where little children’s media talks much about social and moral responsibility (I remember with unease an episode of the recent chibified Teen Titans show where one character’s pet bit other characters and then destroyed their pets and was never reprimanded by the narrative for this) I think this is vital.
While some kids’ books about friendship can be both sugary sweet and mind-achingly dumb (I am thinking of manga like Beauty Pop or Kitchen Princess, as well as some more recent American comics) this one manages to be both engaging and fresh. It also may encourage kids to be kind to each other and to pursue their interests actively, regardless of what people think.
justgraceanne's review against another edition
4.0
Romeo and Juliet for 6th graders!
Well, without the romance. And if the Montagues and Capulets were the science and art club of a public middle school. Super cute, I loved the illustration style and the way it promotes the idea of science as art and the relationship between the two!
Well, without the romance. And if the Montagues and Capulets were the science and art club of a public middle school. Super cute, I loved the illustration style and the way it promotes the idea of science as art and the relationship between the two!