All Summer Long

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Andersen - Westbrook High School, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 8, 2018

Review

This graphic novel about changing friendships written and illustrated by Eisner Award-winning author, Hope Larson, will connect with any reader who ever felt the pains of middle school. Bina and Austin have been best friends since they were born. Each summer they keep track of their fun in a "summer fun index", but now that middle school has ended things are beginning to change. Austin leaves for a soccer camp that he did not even tell Bina about. Bina has always loved music and is interested in starting a band, so with Austin gone she begins to focus on developing her own interests. The art is simple black, white, and orange panels that focus on the faces of the characters and their emotions which only helps the reader to explore the confusion that Bina feels as she experiences the upheaval between middle school and high school. This is a strong selection for libraries serving middle school and high school students. Recommended for fans of Raina Telgemeier.

Overall Book Score: excellent