Review
------
"Tamaki and Valero-O'Connell's tender-hearted narrative sings
with real, honest emotion that will resonate with anyone trying
to figure out love." --The New York Times
"The visual storytelling is precise and thoughtful, and it's
evident that the artist has spent a lot of time designing spaces
that feel lived in and characters who immediately exhibit
specific personalities... Tamaki excels when she's writing
stories about young women discovering their strength in times of
crisis, and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me falls right in
her creative sweet spot." --the A.V. Club
"Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me is the perfect next read
for fans of Love, Simon and To All The Boys I've Loved Before,
books about young love and struggling to figure out what it
means... It's exactly the sort of book that a lot of teens need
to read to feel a little less alone, and a good gateway graphic
novel for fans of Netflix's new glut of romances or a
stepping-stone for readers ready to graduate from graphic novels
like The Baby-Sitters Club adaptations to more complicated,
nuanced stories." --Paste
"Pithy dialogue is neatly trimmed to speech-bubble size, and the
manga-esque styling suits characters to a T, from doe-eyed,
love-smitten Freddy to lean, angular Laura...as a cautionary tale
or as an invitation to a pity party, this packs catharsis into
every frame." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,
starred review
"Touching gently but powerfully on topics of bullying,
phobia, and toxic relationships, this superb graphic novel
has its finger on the pulse of teenage concerns." --Booklist,
starred review
"This exploration of toxic relationships and social dynamics at
the cusp of adulthood is, like its cast, sharp and
dazzling."--Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"Tamaki explores the nuances of both romantic and platonic
relationships with raw tenderness and honesty. Valero-O'Connell's
art is realistic and expressive, bringing the characters to life
through dynamic grayscale illustrations featuring highlights of
millennial pink...a triumphant queer coming-of-age story that
will make your heart ache and soar." --Kirkus, starred review
"Relatable, heart-wrenching, and often funny... Black-and-white
panel illustrations with pink accents provide additional
characterization and feature a cast diverse in race, gender
identity, and body type." --Horn Book, starred review
"Tamaki and Valero-O'Connell do bring to life an artful narrative
of relationships--old, new, harmful, and healing--and what
happens when you learn to navigate them." --School Library
Journal
"A stunning visual of spirited young love and relatable
characters... Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me will appeal to
a variety of readers with its air of real-life romance blended
with the search for identity and friendship." --VOYA
About the Author
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Mariko Tamaki writes comic books for BOOM! Studios, Marvel
and DC Comics. She is the co-creator of the New York Times
bestseller, This One Summer with Jillian Tamaki, which received
Eisner and Governor General awards, as well as Caldecott and
Printz Honors. Mariko lives in Oakland. Rosemary Valero-O'Connell
has done work for DC Comics, BOOM! Studios, CAPY games, and Mondo
Tees among others, and her work has been recognized by the
Society of Illustrators NY, and shown in galleries both locally
and internationally.