On Sunday I shared a post about Banned Books Week and reviewed a couple of banned books. I was a couple of weeks late for Banned Books Week. Did you know that graphic novels are often banned books? Many schools don't want their kids reading them as they don't think of them as real books. Can you imagine? For some readers, the illustrations of graphic novels are what help them get into the book. Personally, I feel that if a child enjoys reading a book, it is a good thing. The more we force kids to read certain books or types of books, the less the child wants to read. I know this was definitely true for Hazel. She dreaded summer reading assignments. She hated being forced to read certain books. Even books she may have chosen on her own, when forced to read them she did not enjoy them. So I say let the kids read graphic novels and banned books. Let them read books about the topics that interest them as well as ones that relate to their lives like the book I am sharing today. It is a middle grade graphic novel all about turning twelve and the changes that come with this new age. The book is Turning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee and illustrated by Molly Brooks. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
About the Book:
Turning twelve means big changes--first bra, first time babysitting, and a first crush not everyone will approve of . . . a pitch-perfect coming-of-age graphic novel from the creators of Growing Pangs.Katie can't wait to turn twelve--pool parties! babysitting! friends! But sometimes it feels like there's so much new stuff she can barely keep up. First Job? (Yes!) Unfair dress codes? (No way!) Make up (Okay?!) Shaving? (Uh…!)
Maybe growing up isn't as much fun as she had expected. But one thing does seem right--her new friend, Grace. Could Katie have a crush on another girl? Katie knows not everyone around her will approve...which is kind of scary. She might not be ready to tell anyone yet, and that’s fine...but can Katie stay true to herself and embrace the person she's growing up to be?
From Me:
Katie is excited to turn twelve. she has a pool part with her friends and then she finds out her two besties are moving away at least temporarily. Now she is going to have to navigate this new age by herself. They are her friends at the homeschool co-op, church group, and were going to try out for Annie with her at the local theater. Her friends are talking about the boys they have crushes on and she hears other girls talking about boys and who is dating who. Then at the youth group retreat they are talking about relationships and have dress codes for the girls but not for the boys. After all it is the girls' job to not entice the boys into sin with their bodies. This has Katie questioning things. Then there are her new friends and especially Grace. Her heart seems to beat a bit faster whenever she sees or even thinks about Grace. Does this mean she is sinning and a bad person? Katie has many questions and has many new experiences near her twelfth birthday. Like many middle schoolers she is trying to figure out life with all the changes that come with the age.
This book shares many current topics that girls start thinking about. Twelve is a time for questioning and discovering. Katie is going through all of this. She questions if how she is feeling is normal. She questions the rules and discriminations she notices. She questions her religion but doesn't question if God exists but rather whether God really is against gay people. She is interested in the church down the street from the theater with the rainbow flag and wonders what it might be like to go there. Katie also has OCD and other mental health issues. She is seeing a therapist. I feel like Katie is your typical twelve-year-old girl and the reader gets to see her inner thoughts which will help many girls realize it is not just them.
This book is perfect for any tween. It gives a look at a young woman who is beginning to question the changes in life. It is really the perfect book for anyone around the age of twelve. It will bring a sense of normality to them as well as be an interesting read. I love that Katie is questioning her own beliefs and sexuality. I remember the book that made me realize I was completely straight. I was in grad school, but I announced to my friends that I was straight. They all told me something like, "Ok, but it would be fine if you weren't." This is a book that I imagine would have had me feeling the same way. It is also a book that will let kids know it is ok if they are not straight. Either way kids are going to enjoy this book, and I see it helping many kids through the awkward time that middle school can be.
