Freestyle

Gr 5 Up--Galligan, already a cartooning sensation thanks to their emotionally nuanced, endlessly entertaining work on Ann M. Martin's "Baby-Sitters Club" graphic adaptations, brings that same gleeful energy to their first original graphic novel. A commitment to representing the joys and ultra-specific struggles of adolescence shines through in this story about break-dancing, bad grades, and yo-yo masters. The main story is that of Cory, a so-so student who's part of a high-achieving dance team. When it becomes clear that his grades are tanking, his dance dreams are put on hold, and he's paired up with Sunna, a quiet, overlooked classmate, for tutoring. Initially resistant, he discovers that she has her own avocation--the yo-yo--and begins to take an interest in her passion too. As the story moves through family expectations, middle-school social negotiations, and questions of doing your best versus doing what you love, Galligan's manga-influenced visual language for characters' emotions and a brightly colored urban universe mean each moment resonates without dragging the story down. It doesn't hurt that in dancing and yo-yo, someone is always on the move. Galligan's diverse cast includes Cory, coded as Filipino, and Sunna, who wears a hijab, and depicts a mixed-gender friend group free from romantic entanglements, which is a breath of fresh air. VERDICT A visually kinetic, emotionally complex story of finding a sense of self while navigating relationships and expectations. Fun and full of heart.--Emilia Packard

The cartooning instincts on display are superb, always making room for setting, emotion, movement, and color for great visual variety... This inviting, heartfelt story will get readers into the groove of self-expression and lasting friendships. 

Fans of Galligan's Baby-sitters Club comics will find similar themes of friendship and community in this engaging story, beautifully colored in candy hues by Czap. 

Galligan's timing — both comedic and emotional — is impeccable, and dynamic paneling paired with vibrant technicolor hues artfully complement the flow and energy of the Eight Bitz's routines and Sunna's yo-yo prowess... A thoughtfully rendered portrayal of friendship, growth, and joyful self-expression.

Galligan's crisp, bouncy, cartoonlike style captures the story's constant motion, making for a fast-paced visual experience with yo-yo strings or b-boying limbs constantly busting out of panels.

Praise for Freestyle:

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated New Kids' Release

Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year

Recipient of four starred reviews