Nat Enough

With the humor and illustrative style of a daily newspaper comic, debuting creator Scrivan’s story of middle school minefields is gentle and timeless, if short on edge. After her best friend, Lily, moves out of their neighborhood, bespectacled Natalie Mariano is convinced that middle school presents a chance for the girls to rekindle their “two peas in a pod” friendship, despite signs that Lily has other plans—signs like the one Lily posts on Natalie’s locker that reads “Natalie is a loser.” Lily’s tactics are cruel and hamfisted, but Natalie continues to pursue her, feeling confused and increasingly uncool. After stumbling through a series of humiliations (being compared to a dog, for one), Natalie embraces a more accepting friend group and her strengths as an artist and writer. The character archetypes and story arc will be familiar to anyone who has lived through adolescence, but for elementary schoolers staring down the barrel of late tweenhood, Scrivan’s colorful diagrams and playful imaginings may be just enough. Ages 8–12. [em](Apr.) [/em]