The Cartoonists Club

Highly imaginative and cleverly conceived.

Eager to make her own comics, middle schooler Makayla, a budding writer, joins forces with bespectacled artist Howard to establish the Cartoonists Club. They’re joined by nonbinary versatile creator Art and shy, talented Lynda, who’s working on a comic about her late father. As library media specialist Ms. Fatima helps them prepare to attend a local comics convention with their creations, each faces personal hurdles, such as Howard’s father’s assertion that comics are a waste of time and Lynda’s hesitance to share her work. Ms. Fatima guides them in creating mini comics, emphasizing that there are no rules, advice that proves invaluable both for the club’s comics-making and social navigating. This adroitly rendered graphic novel by Telgemeier (Smile) and McCloud (Understanding Comics) doubles as a manual for aspiring comics makers. Creative prompts, tips, instructions, and definitions feature throughout, delivered in a cheeky tone that seamlessly integrates heartfelt narrative with approachable how-to guides. An afterword provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creators’ energizing and informative collaboration. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones; Ms. Fatima wears a hijab.

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