Picture Day (The Brinkley Yearbooks #1)

Seventh grader Viv has always dreaded the yearly school picture day. No matter how much she advocates for a chance to shake up her style, each photo ends up with Viv wearing a Mom-approved outfit and sporting her customary braid. But Viv is tired of the routine and, wanting to make a splash, decides to do something drastic: armed with a pair of scissors and reference photos of her favorite online influencer, Viv snips off her boring ’do. The bold move catapults her to the top of the Brinkley Middle School food chain; suddenly, her classmates are seeking Viv’s advice on how to live their truth. But in her enthusiasm to be her school’s top influencer, Viv ignores her friends, clashes with her mom, and starts losing sight of who she was to begin with. In this compassionate graphic novel, a solo debut, Sax (the Escape This Book! series) employs bright and inviting hues, uncomplicated paneling, and an expressive, visually diverse cast to diligently detail one tween’s single-minded pursuit of clout and desire to stand out no matter the cost. Heartfelt interactions surrounding popularity and identity provide ample fodder for introspective discussion. Ages 8–12. Agent: Molly O’Neill, Root Literary. (June)