Gnat vs. Spyder (Gamer Girls #1)

White and Jewish 13-year-old Natalie Schwartz, an avid gamer and Alienlord fan, dreams of becoming a successful online streamer. But fear of rejection from her IRL friends, who don’t play video games, leads her to hide her alter ego, GNAT112: “You know how superheroes have a secret identity? Well, that’s how I think of my gaming,” Natalie says. Even worse, a bad experience with internet trolls during an initial stream stalls her online gaming goals. When she meets her new neighbor and classmate, East Asian–cued Lucy Wong, a proud gamer, the two immediately click. Still, Natalie maintains her secret identity, unsure of how to share her passion with the world while struggling with feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Alongside her desire to own her passions, Natalie copes with her supportive big sister’s impending move. In an optimistic series opener, Towers (Geek Girls Don’t Cry) explores themes of social pressure and the importance of embracing one’s interests via a protagonist who confronts her fears with an upbeat attitude, and whose love of gaming is both infectious and empowering. Cartoony illustrations by Jauregui, rendered in crisp b&w line, feature throughout. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)