Girlmode

Gr 8 Up–Phoebe’s entry into her new high school and her new public identity as an out transgender girl bring with them social and ­romantic bumps. Along with her ­divorced and s­upportive father, Phoebe makes the move to California so she can take on high school on her own terms—and her dad would like Phoebe’s absent movie star mom to at least take some interest in their child, even if it’s unlikely. While Phoebe ­begins the school year worried about ­being accepted by her peers as a recently transitioned girl, what she winds up having to battle is her classmates and would-be friends ­wanting to turn her into the girl they each want her to be. This spot-on story adeptly c­aptures the struggle of finding one’s own identity while constantly being told by others what that identity should look and act like, whether one is cis or transgender. Visaggio’s ­characters ring true to life with a wide range of personalities: boys with open and secret agendas, girls with ­values Phoebe has yet to embrace, and ever-evolving Phoebe herself. Ganucheau’s artwork brings the world to life, particularly with Phoebe, who practically walks off the brightly ­colored panels with authenticity.