Another graphic novel about growing pains in middle school: struggling to fit in, baffled at friends’ sudden interest in boys, cool clothes and jewelry, and having an uncommon interest. In this case, it’s Dungeons and Dragons, which Sunny plays with three guy friends. Her best school friend frowns on this because she thinks they’re too old to play make-believe games, especially with boys. Everything else in Sonny’s life, seems blah (or maybe that’s just how I felt about the illustration style- sorry!- ) but in D&D she finds a challenge and a thrill. And yeah, the game is ever complicated. I’ve been overhearing my twelve-year-old play this game for months now, and never heard some of the things mentioned in this story! (But I asked my kid, and they knew exactly what those things were, so it’s just unfamiliar to me). A lot of Sunny’s efforts to look cool (or “groovy” as is constantly said in this seventies-flashback graphic novel) come crashing down when it makes her shun her D&D friends. Which she quickly regrets, and rejoins them for a hallway game after fleeing an awkward school dance! I loved that scene. So much familiar here with the seventies vibe- being ecstatic over cassette tape players that could record. Hot rollers for curling your hair. Jello with things suspended inside. Fake wood paneling in the basement rooms. So much to relate to and grin at in this book (including roller skating!) even though I did feel bad for the main character lots of times. I’m glad she realized who her real friends were in the end.
Note: I’ve read so many graphic novels now that feature D&D (or Settlers of Catan) games, but they never name it- you just instantly know what they’re playing from recognizing the board and pieces and terms. I always thought not mentioning the name was a copyright thing, but this book had no problem stating that clearly, so guess I was wrong!
Borrowed from the public library.