Run Home

Organized as diary entries starting on Sept. 1, 2002, this moving graphic novel memoir by Bermudez (Big Apple Diaries) follows the creator as she struggles to navigate ninth grade at a New York City all-girls school. Thirteen-year-old Alyssa is lonely: none of her friends from middle or elementary school attend Mary Louis Academy. Adding insult to injury, her divorced parents agree that she must try out for an athletic team, as if “being completely uncoordinated at sports would help my social situation.” Settling on cross-country, Alyssa soon realizes that running is much more difficult than she expected. Still, the friendships she cultivates on the team make the effort worthwhile. Despite finally feeling comfortable at school, though, her home life becomes more complicated when her father remarries. Jewel-toned illustrations depict Alyssa’s comedic high school antics, interspersed throughout her annotated journal entries. It’s a heartfelt and touching exploration of identity, loss, friendship, and family that offers hopeful messaging about turning to loved ones for support, developing positive coping mechanisms, and being open to any and every opportunity for personal growth. An author’s note and playlist conclude. Alyssa’s mother is white and her father is Puerto Rican. Ages 10–14. Agent: Claire Morance, Painted Words. (Jan.)