Definition

Schrag, Ariel. (1997). Definition. San Jose: SLG Publishing.

Reading Level: Grades 10-12

Summary:
Ariel, a 16-year-old girl, recounts some of the highlights of her Grade 10 year. Events include many No Doubt concerts, hanging out with friends, obsessing about chemistry, and working through feelings she has towards friends, both male and female.

Comments:
This book is quite strange. It has the feel of a diary, with the look of a graphic novel. Ariel Schrag created the book when she was 16 years old, so it is coming from immediate, first-hand experience. The graphics are good, and it's interesting how certain characters change their look depending on how Schrag viewed them at a particular moment. The book covers a lot of sensitive subjects, such as drugs, sex, and bisexuality. Ultimately, it is a story about friendship, and how your friends can always make you feel normal.

What I don't like about the book is that the story seems to ramble on without a purpose, then all of a sudden at the end a theme appears. It would have been more engaging if there was a hint of the theme throughout the rest of the book.

Rating: 3/5