ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

In this semifictional memoir, eighth-grader Jay Violet faces many of the common challenges that come with being a middle-schooler. Throughout the story, which takes place over a school year, Jay struggles with bullies, self-confidence, self-esteem, skin problems, and understanding his sexuality. He copes with the disappointment that comes with losing friends and the difficulty of finding new ones. It is a familiar story, similar in scope and approach to graphic memoirs like Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham's Real Friends (2017). But A-Okay stands out thanks to Greene's focus on the affect having a serious skin problem can have on the psyche and experiences of a young person. The story is littered with details about the many challenges Jay faces because of his acne-afflicted skin, and because Jay manages to overcome this challenge with the support of family, new friends, and a knowledgeable dermatologist, young readers struggling with this issue might find some encouragement in its pages. Supported by expressive, well-drawn, and colorful illustrations, this compelling graphic novel will appeal to fans of middle-grade graphic memoirs.

Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

In this graphic novel, Jay starts his eighth-grade year just as his acne starts to worsen to the point that he needs medical treatment for it. It's bad enough that he's self-conscious about his looks, but now he has to deal with the side effects of medication, too. Moreover, Jay is navigating the minefield of middle-school friendships and crushes. His best friend, Brace, becomes more invested in his rock band, and they grow apart, while Jay forms new friendships with classmates Mark and Amy. Over the course of the school year, Jay realizes he doesn't experience strong sexual attraction the way that many of his peers do and that he identifies as asexual. Fortunately, Jay's interest in art is a steady constant, as is his supportive family. In focusing on acne, the story centers a commonplace adolescent experience we rarely see presented in children's literature in a way that perfectly contextualizes it in the daily life of its character, never giving it (or his asexuality) too much or too little weight. It's a middle-school version of a problem novel, a kind that seems ideally suited for the medium of comics. Greene's use of color, line, and composition in his comic-panel layouts enhances the humor and angst of this particular slice of adolescent life. An appended note explains the connections to the author's own background. Jonathan Hunt

Kirkus Reviews

A middle school boy deals with the trials of growing up.When a disastrous case of pimples strikes, 13-year-old Floridian Jay starts suffering from a negative body image. On top of that, his school schedule this year separates him from his good friend Brace. Driven to take action, Jay seeks medical solutions for his acne, but with no improvement, his doctor starts him on Accutane. With this harsh new medication come side effects and a restricted diet for Jay to deal with. Meanwhile, at school Jay is feeling abandoned by Brace, and he seeks out new friends in fellow teaching assistant Mark and art classmate Amy even as school bully Aaron does his best to make Jay's life terrible. Tying these plotlines together is Jay's journey to find and define himself, from coming to terms with his ace/aro identity to changing up his wardrobe. Jay's story is genuine and compelling, immersing readers in his world. The art style is uncluttered and keeps key events clear and easy to follow; purple-toned panels indicate flashbacks. Liberal amounts of comedy interspersed with drama make this an enjoyable read, while the ace/aro protagonist and depiction of a teenage boy's poor self-image keep the otherwise familiar storyline fresh. Jay and his family read as White; there is ethnic diversity in the supporting cast.A compelling depiction of teenage uncertainty. (author's note) (Fiction. 11-14)