Squad (2021)

Synopsis

When Becca transfers to a high school in an elite San Francisco suburb, she’s worried she’s not going to fit in. To her surprise, she’s immediately adopted by the most popular girls in school. At first glance, Marley, Arianna, and Mandy are perfect. But at a party under a full moon, Becca learns that they also have a big secret.

Becca’s new friends are werewolves. Their prey? Slimy boys who take advantage of unsuspecting girls. Eager to be accepted, Becca allows her friends to turn her into a werewolf, and finally, for the first time in her life, she feels like she truly belongs.

But then things get complicated. As their pack begins to buckle under the pressure, their moral high ground gets muddier and muddier—and Becca realizes that she might have feelings for one of her new best friends.

From: Harper Alley

Notes on This Title

The main character of this title is a gay, Asian teenage girl. A bisexual or pansexual teenage girl is a major supporting character.

This title contains depictions of violent death, blood, viscera, sexual assault, and mentions of disordered eating.

Awards

2022 Locus Award for Illustrated and Art Book - Finalist

Reviews

“Female friendship sits front and center in this supernatural vigilante story, even when plans unravel. Readers who want thrilling carnage, sharp dialogue, and sapphic romance mixed into their teen dramas will devour this transformative tale.” (Source: Booklist)

“An exciting look at girl power gone wrong.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)

“Literalizing pack mentality, Tokuda-Hall (The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea) smoothly explores the complexities of so-called sisterhood. Sterle’s (Long Lost, for adults) long, lean characters don neo-1980s and ’90s fashions in art that dovetails with the economical storytelling to create an intersectional examination of high school social dynamics that doesn’t shortchange readers on adventure.” (Source: Publishers Weekly)

Interviews

San Francisco Chronicle: “Maggie Tokuda-Hall takes on rape culture in new graphic novel ‘Squad’”

Leave a Comment