Upper classmen seem to have it all together. They’re dating, driving, and working. Their future is bright, and all the awkwardness from middle school is a distant horrible memory. That’s true of a few, but not all. Many students continue to feel out of place or awkward even after graduation which is why “Awkward” by Svetlana Chmakavo is still relevant in high school.

The story gracefully captures the struggles of middle school students, whether it’s teasing, making new friends, developing strong self-esteem, communicating effectively, establishing their own identity, and learning to take responsibility for one’s actions. The graphic novel  jumps into the life of Penelope ‘Peppi’ Torres, a new student at Berrybrook Middle School. On Peppi’s first day, she has an embarrassing encounter with Jaime, which leads to a series of awkward moments and misunderstandings. Her journey to make amends with Jaime and her growth throughout the story are both touching and relatable.

Not only is the story touching and relatable but the art style is alluring. The art brings the story to life. The cartoonish, bouncy, comic book art style makes the reader feel like they can relate to the characters. Plus, the over exaggerated expressions of the characters add to the allure of the book and resonate with teenagers and their dramatic way of thinking and feeling, because at this stage of their lives everything feels like the end all be all.

If you’re looking for beautiful visuals, aching angst, along with a large dose of humor, this graphic novel fits the bill. It’s an easy way to de-stress from all that ‘literature’ from English class. Chmakavo’s alluring and engaging artwork, brings the characters and their emotions to life,  making this a great book for  readers who have felt out of place or awkward.