Is there any grade-school struggle more defining than the desire to fit in? In her first full-length graphic novel, award-winning comics artist Prince tells the story of her lifelong battle with gender stereotypes through the lens of her tomboy childhood, marked by a preference for male role models, slouchy oversize clothes, and some serious bullying. As a kid, Prince chafed at femininity iven the chance, I'd much rather wield a sword than wear a tiara" t her offbeat choices made it hard for her to find friends or a boyfriend. She starts to believe that her disinterest in being girly is what makes her unlikable, and soon she feels embarrassed by being a girl altogether. Luckily, she eventually finds a group of people who appreciate her differences and don't expect her to act a particular way just because she is a girl. Prince's tongue-in-cheek black-and-white line drawings, in a charming style reminiscent of Jeffrey Brown's autobiographical comics, pack a punch in this empowering memoir that should have ample appeal for any kid who feels like an outsider.

In an often funny, sometimes painful, and sharply observed graphic-novel memoir, self-described tomboy Prince views her formative years through the lens of gender--or rather, society's rigid rules for gender conformity. Prince's honest voice and self-deprecating humor help make young Liz a sympathetic and relatable character. The simply rendered black-and-white panel drawings have an unpretentious quality, in keeping with the narrative tone.

Prince, with strong family support, defies society's gender standards and becomes the female that she wants to be. From the age of two, she rejects dresses and their girly aura. She experiences bullying, name calling, friendship betrayals, and anxiety over puberty and dating and challenges her school's gender-based dress code. At seventeen, she finds a home in a punk/geek/nerd/alternative community, where she can examine society's definitions with distance and objectivity and be comfortable being a girl outside of society's narrow definitions.Stark line drawings complement the text as Prince dissects society's alienating perspectives. Her opening chapter explains her attachment to the tomboy lifestyle and an identity that she still holds with pride. She describes herself as "strong-willed" but should add "strong-minded" as she delineates her personal distinctions and differences. Her painful journey will resonate with more than gender-issue teens. The group with whom she finds comfort and true friendship encompasses a broad range of talent and individuality. The balanced adult perspective Prince achieves in her memoir will hold the most appeal for older high school students, college students, and adults who have faced similar challenges, especially given some of the language used and the situations explored. It is a strong addition to any library collection, and teachers who deal with gender issues and bullying will find great material for discussion and illustration.Lucy Schall.