The Squad
Review posted December 14, 2024.
Graphix (Scholastic), 2024. 288 pages.
Review written December 11, 2024, from a library book.
Starred Review
I have long maintained that graphic novels are the absolutely perfect format for memoirs of middle school. You can show all the emotion in its exaggerated immediacy and let kids today know that middle school has been the way it is since long before they had to deal with it. In The Tryout, Christina Soontornvat expressed the aggravation and terror of trying out for cheerleader in front of the entire seventh grade class. The Squad covers eighth grade, and she and her two best friends decide to try out again. This time, they will also perform before a panel of adult judges, so it doesn't all rest on what the other students think.
But on top of that tense situation, Christina learns that her parents are splitting up. She tries to put on a happy face, even works on plans to get them back together, but ultimately she and her mother move out of their house to an apartment, and her mother starts working much more of the time.
The Squad portrays Christina's anger and frustration over that situation, as well as her first crush, her first kiss, frustrations with racist kids, friendship conflicts, and all the other things that go with being in middle school.
Another classic middle school graphic memoir.