Friends Annie and Richie are starting their freshman year of high school. Annie’s stress level isn’t helped by her older brother, a senior, whose advice leads her to conclude, “What I do as a freshman says who I am for the rest of high school ... and that defines who I am for the rest of my life. “ Corinne Mucha’s funny but not fluffy graphic novel nails adolescent anxieties and experiences as it follows Annie and Richie through their freshman year. Individually and together, they deal with stubborn lockers, old friends who have changed, new friends and romances, spirit week, auditioning for the musical, athletic trials, and forming a band. Even with her light-hearted tone, Mucha provides enough of an edge to maintain credibility. Both newcomers to and seasoned veterans of middle and high school will find a lot to laugh about, and hope as well, in this entertaining outing. Mucha’s panel illustrations are outlined in black and colored in two shades of green. (Ages 11–14)

Annie has just started high school and she’s a mess. Her older brother told her that her freshman year will strongly affect the rest of her life, and if that’s true her future is looking grim: she’s a loser at sports, is jealous of everyone, and has totally fallen in love with her best friend’s older brother!

When she gets cast as a moaning, hunched-over old lady in the school play, she starts to forget about the rest of her life. Now she just wants to make it through freshman year. This unique take on the beginning of a new school venture will make the perfect back-to-school gift.