Heart Takes the Stage (Heart of the City #1)

Using vibrant and emotive full-color illustrations, cartoonist Steenz (Archival Quality) delivers a hilarious modern update to Mark Tatulli’s 1990s newspaper strip Heart of the City. This collection of comics follows charismatic white Heart Lamarr, who thrives in the spotlight. With the help of her friends, stalwart and kind Kat and nerdy ghost-hunter Dean (both white), Heart develops a middle school survival guide, an endeavor that spans the collection. Though Steenz juggles many story lines, such as Heart convincing her mother to let her get her ears pierced and striking with teachers demanding new school supplies, Heart’s audition for her Philadelphia middle school’s musical takes center stage and introduces new friend Charlotte, an effervescent Black tech enthusiast. The compact stories each pack a punch, showcasing sincere character moments—such as Charlotte asserting that some of Dean’s frustrations are his problem, not hers—and emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and advocacy. Steenz’s deadpan humor (“I’ll destroy the livelihoods of everyone involved, one by one,” Heart says, if she doesn’t land the leading role) artfully paints a madcap adventure through middle school’s highs and lows. Ages 8–14. (May)