Synopsis
When Jay starts eighth grade with a few pimples he doesn’t think much of it at first…except to wonder if the embarrassing acne will disappear as quickly as it arrived. But when his acne goes from bad to worse, Jay’s prescribed a powerful medication that comes with some serious side effects. Regardless, he’s convinced it’ll all be worth it if clear skin is on the horizon!
Meanwhile, school isn’t going exactly as planned. All of Jay’s friends are in different classes; he has no one to sit with at lunch; his best friend, Brace, is avoiding him; and—to top it off—Jay doesn’t understand why he doesn’t share the same feelings two of his fellow classmates, a boy named Mark and a girl named Amy, have for him.
Eighth grade can be tough, but Jay has to believe everything’s going to be a-okay…right?
From: Harper Collins
Notes on This Title
The main character of this title is an ace teen. A gay male teen is a prominent supporting character.
There are multiple sequences of bullying.
Awards
None.
Reviews
“A compelling depiction of teenage uncertainty.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)
“With compassion and sincerity, Greene’s (Scullion) graphic novel depicts the pains of middle school for Jay, an art-loving, acne-plagued eighth grader who doesn’t understand why his old friends are hanging out without him, or why he’s not developing crushes—at all.” (Source: Publishers Weekly)
Interviews
Geeks OUT!: “Interview with Cartoonist Jarad Greene“