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“God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.”
Reinhold Niebuhr
You could quote this to your kid, if they care to listen, or you could give them Friends with Boys
This is a graphic novel that is funny with lively characters. My two teens and I agreed we’d love to hang out with this group; they are distinct and real. The plot centers on a young girl, Maggie, who is starting high school after being homeschooled her entire life. She is the last of four kids in her family to finish homeschooling and enter public school. Apparently, their mother abandoned them as soon as her “work” was done. The memory of the four kids’ mom is still around, and metaphorically portrayed in a ghost from a local graveyard that haunts Maggie throughout the book.
But it’s not a supernatural story. I recently read Anya’s Ghost, which didn’t do it for me, and I was worried this book would be a similar. However, Friends With Boys is more about finding your group: whether it’s your twin brother, a sweet punk, or the drama crowd. The ghost plays a part in Maggie’s story, but isn’t a main character.
Maggie loves her three older brothers, but comes to realize their social circle goes beyond family, and she needs her own people too. School is overwhelming, but with her hand-drawn maps, advice from older siblings, and two other school kids looking for an “awesome rebel social group,” she gets the hang of it.
Yes, homeschooling is used as a “new kid” plot device, but it’s handled in a sensitive way. Maggie and her brothers are not freaks, and don’t stand out in a crowd. They have a relaxed home life, and a cool dad that has to cut his long hair for the first time because he’s been promoted in his police work. As a homeschooling family, I resent the implication that homeschoolers are so isolated, and school is the only way Maggie can meet friends beyond her family, but at least she’s not portrayed as a complete social loser, like many other homeschool-to-school books.
We all really liked the artwork. I love when a creator can use the format of a graphic novel to it’s full extent- telling a story in a way words could not. Facial expressions are priceless in many panels. My son’s favorite is the Alien movie scene where there are several non-speaking panels with the reactions (and non-reactions) of three characters watching the movie. Hilarious.
But Hicks is talented with language as well. Beyond the natural dialogue, she has a good sense of humor even with narrating: “Seventy two minutes of zombie swordfighting musical theater later…”
The book moves along at a comfortable pace, with introspective Maggie thinking about her missing mom, school, friends, her dad, brothers, love interest, while having misadventures to get rid of that melancholy ghost following her around.
I received this book from the publisher. Junior High and up will enjoy* Friends With Boys*. I don’t know if my kids got the message I did from this sweet and funny graphic novel, but it gets a three thumbs up.
