How It All Ends

In this exploration of maturity levels, close friendships, and first loves, Hunsinger uses color and illustration to portray the disquieted adolescent mind as Tara learns about herself through the coming-of-age challenge of high school.

A slice of life that's as imaginative as its protagonist.

Thirteen-year-old Tara Gimmel believes that she can do anything. But when she's enrolled in a "special academic program to challenge high-performing students" and promoted straight to high school, Tara is faced with a new, terrifying reality she doesn't feel prepared for. She quickly learns that high school is nothing like the teen dramas she's watched. Worse, when she encounters her older sister and best friend Isla at school, Isla adopts a persona Tara doesn't recognize. Then Tara is partnered with classmate Libby for a Greek mythology project, and quickly develops a crush. Her constant internal monologue, which is depicted in rich red hues, is only interrupted by conversations she's having IRL, a mechanism that often results in hilarious--and embarrassing--scenarios. Using borderless panels teeming with cartoon illustrations rendered in ink with a limited color palette to quickly alternate between Tara's real life and her internal thoughts, Hunsinger (My Parents Won't Stop Talking) explores what it's like to be an especially inexperienced fish out of water in this vibrant, comedic character sketch. Character skin tones match the white of the page, with blue hues connoting varying shades. Ages 8-up. (Aug.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-9--Tara wasn't supposed to be in ninth grade. She had one more glorious year of middle school left, where life was simple. When she finds out that her academic performance landed her in high school a year early, she fears that she is too much of a "baby" to survive. Tara may be book smart, but she doesn't feel mature enough for the PE, dress code, and overall freedom given to high school students. She still enjoys playing make-believe with her little brother and feels more comfortable in her imaginary world than in the real one. That is, until she meets Libby. Is she a best friend? Is she something more? Suddenly high school doesn't seem so bad. This story perfectly captures the sweetness of a first crush during the confusing and overwhelming early teenage years. Tara grapples with her identity and learns to walk the fine line between trying to impress others and being true to herself. Readers will not only identify with Tara but also with her cool, alternative older sister Isla and her nerdy-turned-heartthrob best friend Jessup. The art depicting Tara's real world is drawn in cool blues, while her imaginary world is depicted in bright reds. Yellow appears in both, visually connecting the two. VERDICT Those familiar with Hunsinger's moving New Yorker comic story "How to Draw a Horse" will be thrilled with this beautiful, heartfelt, longer work. A must-have for any library serving middle and high school students.--Amy Ribakove

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Funny and honest, this book is a poignant and relatable look at coming of age and the daunting transition to high school.