Nowhere Girl

Gr 8 Up–Middle school can be harrowing, no matter the circumstance. Eleven-year-old Magali begins to harbor suspicions that starting sixth grade at one of the premier schools in Paris won’t be the lark she thought. Magali’s high-achieving sister seems to breeze through school, so why is it getting harder and harder for Magali to get out of bed in the morning? Her anxiety grows like a living, breathing creature—each day finding another corner in Magali’s mind to occupy. Pretty soon the mere thought of attending class makes her physically ill, to the point where her desperate parents pull her out of school completely. As though her brain is trying to make it up to her, Magali’s internal world grows richer by the day, beginning with her discovery of the Beatles. Languishing in her imagination with Paul, John, George, and Ringo is time better spent than at the imposing Massillon school. Magali’s friends wonder if she’ll ever attend school in person again. Le Huche’s art is a sumptuous feast for the eyes, especially when Magali’s inner thoughts spill out onto the page, though admittedly the font is difficult to read at times. This graphic novel is a noble attempt at revealing the intricacies of an anxiety disorder and a tribute to the incomparable Fab Four through the lens of a childhood obsession.