Review by Booklist Review
Lia isn't happy about her family moving from Romania to Montreal, Canada, away from everything she knows and the people she loves. But the arrival of her first period distracts her from the move. At school, she enters a French immersion program with students from all around the world. Lia finds it difficult to learn French and even more challenging to make friends, but her parents continue encouraging her. With time, she slowly grasps the language and even makes a few friends--but not without misunderstandings, miscommunications, and those uncomfortable periods. This is a fun read. It cleverly illustrates Lia's level of comprehension of the French language as the novel advances. The author's illustrations give life to the characters, and bold colors balance with atmospheric undertones to set the mood in each panel. With bright and charming artwork, readers will get an inside look at an immigrant's life as they navigate unfamiliar environments.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
With a tenderness stemming from personal recollections, as discussed in an endnote, Calin crafts an empathetic tale of belonging in this graphic novel debut. Having just moved from Romania to Montreal with her family, Lia struggles to acclimate to their new home: the language barrier makes befriending her new classmates a challenge and, worst of all, she's been experiencing extremely painful menstrual cramps. Soon, however, Lia starts to hit her stride: she's making new friends, she's brought on as an artist for her school's magazine, and she's even feeling brave enough to try and capture the attention of classmate Julien. While each successful encounter nets its fair share of potential setbacks, events sometimes turn in her favor, as when lockermate Ivana--a potential rival--becomes a close friend and ally after advising Lia on how to manage recurring menstrual pains. Vibrant and accessible visually appealing art infuses a comedic and feel-good vibe that deftly juxtaposes emotional and thought-provoking plot beats surrounding immigration and period education. Softly rendered, cherubic-faced characters with varying skin tones populate this dynamic examination of a girl in transition. Ages 8--12. (June)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--9--An enchanting, adorable, immersive story of Lia's emigration from Romania to Montreal, and her first months as "the new kid," inspired by Calin's own experiences. Lia turns 13 and navigates learning French, forming friendships, dealing with crushes, and the monthly struggles of her period in a new country. Placed in an international immersion class, Lia befriends "the bilingual girls" from Sri Lanka, China, and New York. Lia loves to draw and joins the school magazine, finding artistic inspiration by the end of the story. Throughout the graphic novel, menstruation-related topics, such as Lia's first period, dealing with heavy periods, getting a period in class, having a friend check the back of your pants, PE excuse notes from her mom, and mind-numbing cramps, are rendered with nuance and authenticity. Calin's many artistic strengths are evident in her illustrations of embarrassment, mortification, irritation, and surprise in mangalike panels featuring characters with large, sparkly eyes, blushing cheeks, and freak-out lines. Various languages are portrayed in color-coded speech bubbles, and readers will enjoy Lia and her friends' evolution in understanding and speaking French and English at school and together. Lia's changing use of Romanian with her family is also notable. Calin masterfully weaves variation throughout the panels to show full experiences with incredible details in scenery, facial expressions, and color that flow easily. The book is engrossing and spectacular, and Calin perfectly portrays the awe, excitement, awkwardness, and confusion of middle school. Back matter includes a note to readers, glossaries of translations, and acknowledgements. VERDICT A must-purchase for any and all tweens and teens who are ravenous for lighthearted, absorbing, and authentic coming-of-age, realistic graphic fiction.--Jamie Winchell
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Review by Horn Book Review
Inspired by the author's own immigrant experience, this contemporary-set graphic novel centers Lia, a middle schooler whose family relocates from Romania to Canada. Enrolled in a "welcome class" to learn French with other non-native speakers, Lia struggles to adjust to her new life in Montreal. She grapples with homesickness, difficulties in connecting with classmates, and excruciating menstrual cramps. Her love for art offers a reprieve, and as Lia perseveres, she finds joy through reading her favorite fantasy series, listening to a beloved musical artist, and joining the school's magazine committee as an illustrator. Lia finds a supportive friend group as she turns thirteen and winter break approaches. She faces stressors -- including school, a crush, and a misunderstanding-fueled fight with a friend -- with growing self-confidence. Creative panel work adds depth to the eye-catching visual narrative, which features trendy fashions and uses tropes reminiscent of manga. Exaggerated, humorous forms depict Lia's big feelings. Vibrantly colored emanata enhance characters' reactions, and technological elements (text messages, video calls, and memes) are seamlessly integrated into the slice-of-life story. The art also clearly indicates languages spoken, as well as dialogue the protagonist does not comprehend. The middle-school friendship drama rings true, with flawed, endearing characters; some unresolved plot points hint at a sequel. Elisa GallSeptember/October 2024 p.70 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The angst and agonies of early adolescence are magnified when you're the new girl. Twelve-year-old Lia Iordache experiences the excruciating pain of heavy cramps as she gets her first period at the airport shortly before the flight that will take her family on their emigration journey from Romania to Canada. They settle in Montreal, but Lia doesn't speak French, and it's hard to see how she'll make friends at her new school. But as a member of the school's immersion program for French language learners, Lia quickly learns that first impressions aren't everything. Before long, she and her classmates find the rocky rhythms of tweens everywhere who are navigating schoolwork, extracurriculars, friendships, crushes, rivalries, and changing bodies. While Lia certainly feels the stigma of being the new girl, this work is a gentle exploration of what could be a devastating time. The adults in Lia's life are generally kind and supportive, and her diverse classmates from around the world ultimately make the experience of integrating into a new environment positively delightful. If only all middle school students had such a class! Calin's illustrations flow effectively and provide humor; her text bubbles also creatively visualize, through color coding for different languages and scribbles to represent French words Lia can't understand, the process of acquiring a new language. A few loose narrative threads and a relatively abrupt ending hint at future installments. Fans of Raina Telgemeier, Victoria Jamieson, and Svetlana Chmakova will rejoice. Funny, awkward, and exuberant. (glossary) (Graphic fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
