School Library Journal Review
Gr 4 Up--Viv has an idea that will make her seventh grade picture day different from all the ones that came before it. Instead of looking the same as she does in every other school picture (after her mother braids her hair), Viv decides to cut off that braid while her friends help her live stream the event. Suddenly Viv is a sensation, not only for her bold new haircut but also because other students want her to help draw attention to their own causes. But as Viv is drawn toward the idea of being popular, she starts drifting further away from the people who know her and care about her the most. This story about reinvention and self-acceptance will be easy and accessible for kids who are already in middle school, and those who will be soon. It's a book that teaches gentle but important lessons about life, priorities, and relationships, and it will definitely appeal to fans of realistic graphic novels like Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm's "Sunny" series. The artwork is sweet, colorful, and filled with energy, reminiscent of the art in Kayla Miller's "Click" series. VERDICT For kids who enjoy realistic graphic novels about school, friendship, and discovering your true self.--Andrea Lipinski
Publisher's Weekly Review
Seventh grader Viv has always dreaded the yearly school picture day. No matter how much she advocates for a chance to shake up her style, each photo ends up with Viv wearing a Mom-approved outfit and sporting her customary braid. But Viv is tired of the routine and, wanting to make a splash, decides to do something drastic: armed with a pair of scissors and reference photos of her favorite online influencer, Viv snips off her boring 'do. The bold move catapults her to the top of the Brinkley Middle School food chain; suddenly, her classmates are seeking Viv's advice on how to live their truth. But in her enthusiasm to be her school's top influencer, Viv ignores her friends, clashes with her mom, and starts losing sight of who she was to begin with. In this compassionate graphic novel, a solo debut, Sax (the Escape This Book! series) employs bright and inviting hues, uncomplicated paneling, and an expressive, visually diverse cast to diligently detail one tween's single-minded pursuit of clout and desire to stand out no matter the cost. Heartfelt interactions surrounding popularity and identity provide ample fodder for introspective discussion. Ages 8--12. Agent: Molly O'Neill, Root Literary. (June)
Horn Book Review
Tween relationships and identity development are the focus of this engaging contemporary graphic novel. It is middle-school picture day, and Viv is determined to make her mark. Motivated by the potential for online attention and inspired by an affirming social media influencer, she impulsively chops off her signature braid. The act -- along with the newly styled haircut that follows -- turns heads and boosts her confidence; she finds herself exploring different social connections and trying new activities. However, these new experiences and the attention they offer distract her from her loyal best friends and their long-term project to create a roller-skating routine celebrating a favorite fandom. After she pressures her friends to share their not-yet-ready routine publicly, and it does not go well, Viv is forced to reckon with the impact of her insensitive behavior. The bubbly, thickly lined illustrations showcase the characters' styles and electronic interactions (texts, social media posts, etc.) with panache. The tensions and resolutions are portrayed through heartfelt dialogue and with pacing that feels authentic for the seventh-grade characters and the setting. Recommended for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson. Elisa GallSeptember/October 2023 p.82 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A seventh grader's attempts to live her truth backfire when she fails to listen to her friends. Olivia Vivian Sullivan, now going by Viv to differentiate herself from all the other Olivias in her grade, is horrified when her mother sends her to school on picture day wearing a hand-knit floral cardigan with her hair in the same old boring braid. A follower of cutting-edge internet influencer Quinn Sparks, who's Black and androgynous, Viv, unlike best friends Milo (a brown-skinned boy) and Al (a redheaded White girl), longs to attract attention. Racially ambiguous Viv, who has light brown skin and purple hair, initiates this plan for self-expression by hacking off her braid in the school bathroom. When that doesn't garner the response she hoped for she escalates matters, creating big scenes. She helps another girl arrange an elaborate, public Halloween-dance invitation for her cheerleader crush with great success. But when she strong-arms Milo and Al into another all-school spectacle, it backfires, humiliating her friends. An impressively strong debut, this work authentically touches on family relationships, individuality, the pros and cons of online fame, and the value of genuine apologies. Supporting characters are multidimensional, and Viv, Milo, and Al are skillfully given full family backgrounds in just a few scenes. The drawings vary from several panels to full pages, with and without borders, conveying drama and emotion. Bold, brash, and honest. (Graphic fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Another year, another picture day where Viv feels like she's just blending in with the rest. Her idol, social-media influencer Quinn Sparks, always says if you're true to yourself, the world will notice. Just before she gets her picture taken, Viv is inspired to gain control of her own truth. She grabs a pair of scissors, sets her phone to record, and cuts off her signature braid. With her new haircut, Viv feels empowered enough to show her real self to the world, and she smiles proudly for her picture. After the video of her cutting her hair circulates, other students begin to come to Viv for help expressing their true selves. The more she helps others, however, the more she drifts away from her friends. Will Viv be able to balance her newfound popularity and her old friendships before it's too late? This heartwarming story of self-expression and being unapologetically yourself will appeal to fans of Raina Telgemeier and Svetlana Chmakova's Berrybrook Middle School series.
