Will & Whit

Will (short for Wilhelmina) is afraid of the dark -- understandable, since at night she tends to envision the car accident that killed her parents. "In the dark, there's no avoiding or hiding. It's just you and your thoughts." As the one-year anniversary of the accident approaches, in the summer before her senior year, Will keeps the dark and her grief at bay by creating one-of-a-kind lamps from knickknacks salvaged from her aunt's antique shop and spending time with her (similarly artsy) friends. She's forced to face her fear, however, when storm Whitney blows through town, knocking the power out for several days. Happily, a carnival put on by another group of teens offers Will new friends, a creative challenge (can she "sculpt with darkness" as well as light?), and an opportunity to honor her parents in her art. Although the text of this graphic novel is sometimes clumsy, the illustration and design shine. The shape and pacing of panels expertly capture the narrative's tone; occasionally the panels disappear altogether, giving the images a dreamy feel. Eloquent pointillist shadows reveal Will's emotions -- especially her fears and insecurities -- and her expansive imagination. Throughout, Gulledge (Page by Paige, rev. 7/11) and her protagonist ponder what happens when we face the darkness inside ourselves. Back matter includes a "soundtrack" playlist and an "inspiration board." katie bircher