School Library Journal Review
Gr 5--8--Twelve-year-old Charlie Harper has gotten used to constantly moving and starting over thanks to her Air Force father's many deployments. But now that her father has retired, Charlie's family is finally settling down. Convinced that she only gets one chance to make a good first impression, Charlie is determined to make her first day at Hill Valley Middle School a perfect one. She has researched the latest fashions, is trying new hairstyles, and has made the switch from glasses to contacts. After meeting a group of friends following an unfortunate run-in with the janitor's water bucket, Charlie realizes it's not easy trying to uphold her new persona as she goes out of her way to hide all the parts of herself she deems uncool. Text boxes and speech bubbles run long and the flow of dialogue sometimes feels stilted, but the almost overwhelming uncertainty and desire to fit in that Charlie experiences ring painfully true. The pastel rainbow palette, sparse backgrounds, and confidence of Charlie's friend group provide a refreshing counterbalance to her anxiety, modeling a type of genuine self-confidence not often depicted in this age group. Mr. Harper's confession to Charlie about his own struggles as a young person offers additional reassurance that this too shall pass. The main characters are Black and Latinx, background characters appear to be racially and ethnically diverse, and a wheelchair user makes an appearance. VERDICT A sincere and relatable depiction of trying too hard to fit in and almost losing yourself in the process. Recommended.--Alea Perez
Publisher's Weekly Review
After moving to the town where her Air Force servicemember father grew up, 12-year-old artist Charlie Harper starts attending Hill Valley Middle School three weeks into the semester. Her first day turns out to be an embarrassing mess, during which she's accidentally doused in water and she loses her contacts. Her day is saved, however, when Nola--a cheerful student with an affinity for styling hair--offers to fix up Charlie's saturated 'do in the bathroom. Soon after, Nola is showing Charlie the fastest ways to get to class, and at lunchtime a nervous Charlie asks to sit at her table. Thrifty and outspoken fashionista Ella and anime enthusiast Cara welcome Charlie into their circle. But believing she must curb her interests to fit into the already established friend group, Charlie pretends to be someone she's not and quickly loses touch with herself. A playful pastel palette adds energetic verve to this bouncy narrative of being and accepting one's true self. With empathy, charm, and a seemingly endless supply of good cheer, Miller (Michelle's Garden) crafts a stirring tale that encourages kindness and honesty in pursuit of friendship. Characters are portrayed with varying skin tones. Ages 8--12. (Oct.)
Horn Book Review
In this endearing and relatable graphic novel, Charlie has moved all around the world with her family. Now that her dad is retired from the Air Force, they are finally settling down in her parents' hometown. While starting from scratch -- again -- Charlie is determined to reinvent herself to ensure she makes friends. From new clothes to contact lenses to a new hairdo, she is ready to make an impression. Though her first day of middle school takes an unfortunate turn, ruining her perfect hair and outfit, a classmate comes to her rescue, and Charlie is able to salvage the day, even making some new "Curlfriends." As she navigates her new home and school life, she also struggles to reconnect with her father, who has often been away due to military duties. The vibrant art is warm and inviting, with engaging details that pop on every page. Charlie's tween angst will feel familiar as she attempts to bury her individuality in order to fit in with her peers, ultimately learning that real friends will accept her for her uniqueness. Charlie's journey to belonging also includes learning how to deal with conflict when her new friends discover things she's been hiding. A welcome graphic novel with Black girl representation for middle-graders and middle-schoolers. Monique HarrisSeptember/October 2023 p.77 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A Black girl struggles to make friends and adjust to her new town. Twelve-year-old Charlie Harper is used to moving around, thanks to her father's having been in the Air Force. However, this time will be different: They're settling in her father's hometown, where he's surrounded by old friends. Charlie hopes to make a splash with contact lenses instead of glasses, trendy outfits to replace her old uncool clothes, and "tamed hair" in place of her Afro. But the first day of school goes awry when she's accidentally drenched in water. In the bathroom, Charlie meets Nola, another Black girl. Nola, whose mom has a hair salon, quickly braids Charlie's hair and helps her get to class on time, leaving Charlie feeling hopeful. At lunch she meets Nola's rambunctious friends--Black and brown curly-haired girls who call themselves the Curlfriends. But in her pursuit of being liked, Charlie's not being herself. Eventually, she realizes that it's exhausting pretending to be something you're not, but is it too late? Miller skillfully tackles middle school growing pains, complicated parental relationships, and the importance of a strong community in this brisk, humorous graphic novel. Soft but dynamic lines and a bright color palette add depth to the illustrations and complement Charlie's charming journey to self-acceptance. Readers are sure to find the Curlfriends endearing as they encourage Charlie to be her true self. A delightful coming-of-age story. (Graphic fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
It's officially the first day of middle school--for Charlie, at least. The rest of her class started three weeks ago. Growing up with a dad in the air force, Charlie has had a lot of practice being the new girl. But this time is different: Charlie's dad is home for good, her mom has a full-time job, and the family has moved permanently to her parents' hometown. This time, armed with new clothes, new contacts, and one final chance to reinvent herself, Charlie is determined to finally fit in. Miller's adorable comic perfectly captures the anxiety of experiencing all of the new beginnings and awkwardness that come with being 13. Her warm, playful, and inviting art style offers a cozy background for Charlie to learn how to let her three new friends see her just as she is, quirks and all. Fans of the Baby Sitters' Club comics or Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham's Real Friends series will appreciate this series opener featuring four Black girls navigating the trials and tribulations of friendship, middle school, and everything in between.
