Dan Santat

A solid graphic novel that comes out looking really nice but plays it too safe.

Nobody is an extreme bully yet The bullying is supposed to be long-term. Everybody who's mean to him he's still friends with and they become better people via no character growth at all just little moments. He's awkward and disliked yet has several friends and is well liked by everyone.

His friends are well meaning but also the most calloused mean jerks I've ever seen be friends.

Everything is so safe it's cute but it's nothing more than safe. There's no risk the reward is there but he barely does anything to accomplish it. I felt like at no point was anyone inconvenienced or incumbered. There's no point reading this that I felt anyone was at risk of a consequence or long-term damages.

There's nice tidbits about the time period and how people could smoke on planes among other things but outside of that the book is not that interesting.

I still gave it a high rating because it's basically an autobiography graphic novel and since it's based off of real events with little adjustments I decided I couldn't really fault it, if real life is boring sometimes, so be it.

Not exactly a thrilling read but safe for all ages.

4 stars.… (mer)