Nowhere Girl
Age 12+
Graphic Novels
A coming-of-age story that explores adolescence, failure...and the Beatles.
This is the story of a girl growing up in the 1990s – a middle-schooler who finds herself lost in the gulf between childhood and adolescence, developing paralyzing fears of failure, school, other people, and her own changing body. Along the way, she becomes obsessed with the Beatles… which might be just what she needs to find her way back to being okay. Yeah yeah yeah!
Creators
Magali Le Huche was born in Paris in 1979. She spent five years at the school of decorative arts in Strasbourg, three of which she spent specializing in illustration. She left the school in 2004 and came back to Paris with her first two children's books tucked under her arm: Les Sirènes de Belpêchao (Didier, 2005) and Bertille Bonnepoire (Sarbacane, 2006). Ever since then, she's been working regularly as an author and illustrator for the press and children's publishing.
Reviews
This is a lovely memoir graphic novel about growing up and fear and escapism… It’s a quick read and very personable and lovely. Perfect for middle grade readers to teens… If you’re a fan of graphic novels, mental health representation, Parisian books, and music — this one is for you! I’d definitely like to read more from this author.
Paper Fury
It’s a highly relatable story for early adolescents (11 to 13 years old), with an optimistic message that emotional difficulties can be tackled with a passionate interest (in this case, music) and also humour, perseverance, support of family, self-awareness and by facing fears.
Reading Time
This graphic memoir explores the challenges of leaving childhood behind in the 1990’s and the overwhelming changes that can be experienced at puberty. The largely monochrome daily life scenes are contrasted by the energetic vibrant colours when Magali escapes into her magical imaginary world of the Beatles, including famous album covers and the whimsical lyrics of songs like Yellow Submarine… the story is engaging and might give those suffering from similar anxieties affirmation that some coping mechanisms can be comforting and there is a path forward with help.
Read Plus
A coming-of-age story that explores adolescence, failure … and the Beatles. This is the story of a girl growing up in the 1990s – a middle-schooler who finds herself lost in the gulf between childhood and adolescence, developing paralyzing fears of failure, school, other people, and her own changing body. Along the way, she becomes obsessed with the Beatles … which might be just what she needs to find her way back to being okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah!
Readings
