Gr 4–9— Garvey wants to connect with his father, but feels as though his dad can't accept him for who he is; Dad wants Garvey to be an athlete like his sister, Angela. But Garvey, who is Black, loves astronomy and chess; he escapes into science fiction to make himself feel better. Garvey's dad and sister criticize his eating habits, adding to insecurities he feels as a result of bullying at school related to his weight. His best friend Joe, who is also Black, is caring and supportive; a new friend, Manny, who has albinism, helps Garvey learn to ignore bullying and "crank up the inside volume." Joe encourages Garvey to try out for chorus; singing boosts his confidence and gives him a way to connect with his dad, who used to be in a band. Some of Grimes's original tanka poems have been adjusted, but the novel in verse adapts beautifully to the graphic novel format, and Taylor's art emphasizes the imaginative, poignant, painful, and joyful aspects in turn. Starry night sky illustrations, with characters outlined in white, are striking. Taylor often shows Garvey regarding himself in a mirror, and readers can see how Garvey's feelings about his appearance change throughout. VERDICT This format will attract new readers to a poetic, powerful story of growth. Highly recommended.— Jenny Arch

Grimes' acclaimed novel in verse sees new life in comics format.Garvey, an imaginative young Black boy, loves reading SF and stargazing, but his father would rather he play sports. Feeling unheard, he copes by overeating and is mocked for his weight at school. But through new friendships and a passion for music, Garvey forges a path to self-confidence and finds a way to connect with his father. Grimes' tanka poems, kept mostly intact with minor edits and some changes to their order, pair nicely with Taylor's straightforward illustrations, bringing to life Garvey's story of newfound self-possession. The energetic illustrations playfully depict his rocky journey toward a truer version of himself, providing levity at times but never shortchanging the most poignant moments. The poem "Stars" offers a breezy portrayal of Garvey's extraterrestrial fantasies: "Stars on my ceiling / Wink at me when the full moon / comes for a visit." In "Shadow," the magnitude of his feelings about body image and his emotional eating becomes clear, with Garvey looming above his comparatively tiny family: "Whenever I stand near that's / how it feels. They're all so small." These charming, reflective poems are an ideal match for Taylor's endearing first graphic novel endeavor.An adaptation that expands the world of a captivating, much-loved character. (note on tanka) (Graphic fiction. 9-12)