I got this softcover from Barnes and Noble after reading this Book Threat review. It's a low-key graphic novel about a 13-year-old girl who's coping with puberty, fears of racial and/or sexuality prejudice - and a loss of faith in God; when she winds up at a week-long summer camp among all-white Christian youth, things don't look like fun! The story progresses gently, with lots of those awkward scenes when trying to work out how to fit in - or how to avoid - a new group of people, and, eventually, with tentative friendships, the realization that your own first impressions may be as off-base as others' are about you, and a hope that life might begin to make a bit more sense.

I really liked the way spunky Sydney helped teach Charlie how to push back at casually-racist/sexist/phobic remarks - nobody here seems intentionally hateful but a few things do slip out - and how the two begin to bond while juggling the difficulties of the hike and the wonders they see around them.

While there's a lot of silent introspection and self-doubt, there's also some humor, as when Sydney and Charlie discuss how to disrupt the celebration honoring the women who founded the camp/retreat, we get:

"Girls, we are gathered here today as FEMINISTS to worship our slave-owning pioneer anc- AAAAAAH! PTERODACTYLS!!"

Makes sense in context!

The story ends without a clear resolution. Charlie and Sydney have revealed things about themselves and learned things about each other, and have become friends - and have made connections with some of the other girls as well. And some of the adult counselors have learned a little about sensitivity - though the leader of the group appears to be riding for a fall if our spunky duo has anything to do with it. But the book ends before we reach the site of the sacred-space ritual, so I just have to wonder...

I left this book on a curb along Main Street, amid the preparations for this afternoon's Pride Festival - lots of rainbow flags, people in fabulous outfits, looks like great fun. Hope someone enjoys the book!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]