A middle schooler struggles to handle changes in his life.As much as Lonnie loves living with his mom and sister, he misses his dad. Since his parents' divorce, Lonnie primarily spends time with Dad when he picks Lonnie up from school. Although he's embarrassed about the split, he's unable to share his feelings-even when his parents ask him how he's doing-until he can't hold everything in anymore. After getting in trouble at school, Lonnie finally reveals how much he wants life to go back to the way it was, but he still ends up in detention for getting back at a kid who mocked him for having divorced parents. Gradually Lonnie uses his time with Dad to be more open about his feelings and sexuality; he also expresses enthusiasm for comics and finds common ground with his father. When his parents mutually decide on family therapy, Lonnie is initially anxious but ultimately grows into healthier relationships and self-expression. The graphic novel format, with its clean backgrounds and bright colors, effectively conveys the variety of emotions the family members experience, and the many wordless panels propel the story forward. Time spent with various configurations of the family riding in cars together nicely captures their dynamics (particularly the father-and-son tensions); with the characters facing forward in their seats, Lindell can highlight their expressions. Lonnie and his family are Black.A successful blending of text and image that results in engaging storytelling. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

Gr 4–6 —Lindell's middle grade debut deftly navigates the relationship between a father and son during car rides. Elementary-age Lonnie's parents recently divorced, and his insecurities about it follow him as he waits to be picked up by his dad after school. Lonnie, a young artist, does not necessarily want to talk about the things on his mind, but over several rides, Lonnie and his father begin mending their relationship. Lonnie's conversations with his dad feel natural, and topics such as divorce, sexuality, family, and friends are presented in a relatable way. The story does not shy away from challenging both Lonnie's and his father's viewpoints, while also providing space for both to learn. The artwork in its simplicity welcomingly invites readers into the car. Panels with a focus on character facial expressions and perspective create the movement of rapport and natural pauses; this works in tandem with Lonnie's internal thoughts and feelings, drawn as outlines of himself in a variety of colors such as red, orange, blue, and yellow. Lonnie and his family are Black, and the book features a cast with a variety of skin tones. The humor and art style make this a perfect pick for fans of Jerry Craft's New Kid or Jonathan Todd's Timid . VERDICT With humor, sensitivity, and a clean art style, this is a recommended first purchase for all collections.—Rachel Johannigmeier