And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. SELF ESTEEM.Raina Telgemeier, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of the Eisner Award winner, SMILE, brings us her next full-color graphic novel. Readers couldn’t ask for a better role model than Callie.

In a nice touch, Callie’s family quietly takes a supporting role in the background: we see mom picking her up after rehearsal, attending the play with Callie's enthusiastic little brother, and taking pictures of Callie before her date. In this way, the author shows Callie growing into a confident, independent young woman and readers feel sure that someday, when the time is right, Callie will find her sweetheart. Her palette reflects the emotion and ends, appropriately with a rosy hue for, despite her confusion, Callie remains focused on the thing that excites her most – set design. She keeps visual interest high by varying perspective and alternating full- and half-page scenes with panels and close-ups. The action is well-paced and the characters reveal themselves as they face challenges, forge friendships, and explore their emotions.

Raina Telgemeier proves to be a fine director in this graphic novel. Head spinning? Yes! And exactly what middle-schoolers are used to! But nothing keeps infectiously-enthusiastic Callie down for long, especially when she’s got set design and her stage crew to keep her distracted. It’s not until Jesse jumps-in to fill the heroine’s role when the star drops out, that Callie begins to understand. First, her long-time crush Greg finally breaks up with Bonnie, kisses Callie, then makes up with Bonnie! Then, when Jesse, a new boy at school, asks her out, Callie can’t figure out if it’s as friends or a date. Callie’s first experiences with romance are fizzling – and confusing. If only she could add some spark to her love life. She wants it to go off with a bang – literally – and is building a cannon that really “fires” for the show. There’s plenty of drama in Callie’s life – onstage and off!Ĭallie is the set designer for her middle school play.

Book drama by raina telgemeier