Look on the Bright Side
Look on the Bright Side
Select a format:
Perma-Bound Edition ©2023--
Publisher's Hardcover ©2023--
Paperback ©2023--
To purchase this item, you must first login or register for a new account.
Roaring Brook Press
Annotation: Your favorite best friends from the groundbreaking GO WITH THE FLOW are back in a brand new graphic novel to face the challenges of secret crushes, big feelings, and growing up...together. Perfect for fans of Maria Scrivan's NAT ENOUGH series!
 
Reviews: 4
Catalog Number: #384225
Format: Perma-Bound Edition
Special Formats: Graphic Novel Graphic Novel
Copyright Date: 2023
Edition Date: 2023 Release Date: 10/10/23
Pages: 325 pages
ISBN: Publisher: 1-250-83410-4 Perma-Bound: 0-8000-6201-9
ISBN 13: Publisher: 978-1-250-83410-2 Perma-Bound: 978-0-8000-6201-9
Dewey: Fic
Dimensions: 22 cm
Language: English
Reviews:
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Wed Sep 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Four friends grapple with everyday challenges.For Hazelton High juniors Sasha, Christine, Abby, and Brit, the new school year brings new trials. Sasha struggles to balance her love life and academic aspirations. Scholastically minded Brit finds herself in a love triangle between a good-hearted grump and a handsome playboy. Abby feels anxiety about her once-popular blog and putting a label on her sexual orientation when confusing new feelings emerge. Christine fears coming out to Abby (although she is out to Brit and Sasha), on whom she's harbored a long and tortuous crush that she worries will destroy their friendship. The girls navigate timely and important issues like establishing and communicating boundaries, defining one's sexual orientation, righting miscommunications, and (staying in the vein of its predecessor, 2020's Go With the Flow) menstrual equity. Williams and Schneemann's warm and engaging graphic novel is a welcome return to this world, with vibrant art; short, episodic chapters; fast pacing; and the right blend of tension and sweetness. The group's dynamics and communication skills as they work through their issues are commendable, modeling openness and honesty and leaving aside cattiness and drama. The main cast is diverse and inclusive, showing a range of skin tones, body sizes, and sexual orientations.A warm hug of a tale. (authors' note) (Graphic fiction. 11-16)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 5 Up— The sequel to the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Go with the Flow begins where the previous volume left off. A series of wordless panels show pad and tampon dispensers being placed throughout the women's bathrooms at school, thanks to the efforts of Abby, Christine, Brit, and Sasha. Abby hopes to make these necessities available at a wider level, working with the principal and the school's Unicorn Club so they can also be installed in the men's rooms. Brit is home recovering from her endometriosis surgery, and once back at school, has two very different classmates interested in being her boyfriend. Sasha is learning to balance schoolwork and having a boyfriend, and Christine struggles with telling Abby that she likes her more than a friend. The art is colorful, bright, and eye-catching; characters reflect a variety of racial and body diversity. As with the first book, this is an engaging, realistic, positive, and inclusive slice-of-life story about navigating high school, friendship, and crushes. Pair with Cathy G. Johnson's The Breakaways and the "Lumberjanes" series. VERDICT A standout graphic novel that should be in every library.— Marissa Lieberman

ALA Booklist (Wed Dec 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Schneemann and Williams reunite Sasha, Brit, Christine, and Abby in this endearing sequel to the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Go with the Flow (2020). After sparking a period revolution at Hazelton High, the four friends face new challenges: endometriosis, junior year, overwhelming crushes, and more. With Brit caught between two polar-opposite boys and Christine's feelings for Abby bubbling up, will their friendship help them endure eleventh grade? Veering from the monochromatic crimson of Go with the Flow, this sequel bursts with movement, featuring bold outlines and colored-­pencil shading. Williams' art style adds a gritty, realistic touch to the characters. The story follows a familiar trope, in which four friends navigate distinct life lessons, coming together to support one another's growth. The authors leverage this familiarity, including references to the 2005 film adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice," to create a relatable and charming bond between readers and the characters. This Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants esque story will have readers laughing and cheering for Sasha, Brit, Christine, and Abby.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Four friends grapple with everyday challenges.For Hazelton High juniors Sasha, Christine, Abby, and Brit, the new school year brings new trials. Sasha struggles to balance her love life and academic aspirations. Scholastically minded Brit finds herself in a love triangle between a good-hearted grump and a handsome playboy. Abby feels anxiety about her once-popular blog and putting a label on her sexual orientation when confusing new feelings emerge. Christine fears coming out to Abby (although she is out to Brit and Sasha), on whom she's harbored a long and tortuous crush that she worries will destroy their friendship. The girls navigate timely and important issues like establishing and communicating boundaries, defining one's sexual orientation, righting miscommunications, and (staying in the vein of its predecessor, 2020's Go With the Flow) menstrual equity. Williams and Schneemann's warm and engaging graphic novel is a welcome return to this world, with vibrant art; short, episodic chapters; fast pacing; and the right blend of tension and sweetness. The group's dynamics and communication skills as they work through their issues are commendable, modeling openness and honesty and leaving aside cattiness and drama. The main cast is diverse and inclusive, showing a range of skin tones, body sizes, and sexual orientations.A warm hug of a tale. (authors' note) (Graphic fiction. 11-16)

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Wed Sep 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)
ALA Booklist (Wed Dec 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)
Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)
Reading Level: 6.0
Interest Level: 5-9

The creators of Eisner-nominated Go With the Flow Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann are back with a funny and heartwarming story following four best friends Brit, Abby, Christine, and Sasha in the graphic novel, Look on the Bright Side . Perfect for fans of Maria Scrivan's NAT ENOUGH series! With feelings running high and hearts on the line, will their friendship get them through a year at Hazelton High? Old friends. New Loves. The future is looking bright. A new year of school is starting, and Brit finds herself struggling with feelings for a seemingly rude boy from class who might have a soft side. Meanwhile, Christine can't deny that she likes her best friend Abby...as more than just a friend. The only question is, does Abby have feelings for Christine, too? And will their feelings for each other mess things up in their friend group? Misunderstandings, betrayal, and jealousy are bound to get in the way. But hey! Look on the bright side: They're in this together. Always. Heartful, romantic, and sizzling with the excitement of navigating first love, Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann's brilliant follow up to Go With the Flow is a bright spot you will not want to miss.


*Prices subject to change without notice and listed in US dollars.
Perma-Bound bindings are unconditionally guaranteed (excludes textbook rebinding).
Paperbacks are not guaranteed.
Please Note: All Digital Material Sales Final.