Crush

Gr 6--9--The combined talents of Tegan and Sara Quin with graphic novel artist Walden brings readers a pitch-perfect rendition of the 13-year-old twins entering the professional hustle with their band while maintaining friendships, middle school romances, and their relationships with each other. Emotional accuracy remains authentic and fully dimensional as the girls graduate from their amateur musical duo, Gunk, to winning a performance spot onstage, and get the professional management they and their parents decide is undeniably high-pressured. Family dynamics, the girls' sexual orientations, and activities that spotlight interests beyond music all get fair play with the seamless context Walden weaves through color-coded dreams, finely tuned postures, and facial expressions. While the real-life Quins attended junior high in the 1990s, setting this duology in the 21st century has allowed for the speedy communication devices the Canadian coauthors wouldn't have experienced when they were in middle school. VERDICT Even those with no previous knowledge of the band will be fully immersed in Tegan and Sara's backstory, thanks to their own narrative skills and the support of a fine visual artist who is fully onboard.--Francisca Goldsmith

What's worse: the weight of rising success or the pressure of awkward teenage attraction? In this duology closer, white twins Sara and Tegan have more to deal with than your average eighth graders. For one thing, their songwriting hobby is getting serious. The sisters enter a contest to open for a popular star when she returns to perform in her hometown of Calgary. Although they end up losing, the artist's manager wants to sign them on. Now they're dealing with all sorts of new concerns--rehearsals, social media, wardrobe choices, music collabs, and shooting videos. Meanwhile, the tricky bits of middle school friendships don't stop, like flat-out abandonment or discerning whether your crush likes you back. Throw in some sibling squabbles, and it all adds up to a lot of pressure. The characters handle everything with positive maturity, a phrase that also describes this narrative, which offers earnest, expertly executed storytelling. The characters act as the pop duo's fictionalized avatars in a contemporary setting that offers more relatability for readers. The work includes representation of queer friends who are out and older musicians who encourage agency in what can be a controlling industry. The text stresses the importance of appropriate supervision by trusted adults as well as both bodily and creative autonomy in professional spaces. Walden's expressive and animated art enhances the book's emotional impact. A heartfelt story of staying grounded while shooting for stardom. (authors' note, personality quiz, photos)(Graphic fiction. 9-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.