Snapdragon (graphic novel)

Snapdragon is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Kat Leyh, which was published in 2020 by First Second Books. It tells the story of a teenage girl called Snapdragon, who becomes friends of the neighborhood witch, and focus on her life and relationships.

Reception[]

Kirkus Reviews gave Snapdragon a starred review saying "Leyh expertly blends fantasy and realism in her energetic debut solo middle-grade graphic novel." They considered the cast of the novel to be well written, and praised its diversity, which includes a trans woman and characters "coded as black—all, refreshingly, presenting with a realistic variety of skin tones and hair colors and textures."^[1] Matisse Mozer, who wrote for the School Library Journal, also gave the novel a starred review, noting the author "draws from her experience working on the 'Lumberjanes' series to craft a work that centers inclusion and acceptance." Commenting on the art style, Mozer says the choice for an "anime-esque panel structure and imagery" helped create a lighter atmosphere for the story, despite the complex themes Snapdragon deals with.^[2]

A starred review published by Publishers Weekly praised the "variety of ethnicities, sexualities, and gender expressions" and concluded it by saying "this intersectional, layered tale offers joyful and affirming depictions of social outsiders and comfortably complicated families."^[3] Télérama's review of the book compared its setting to The Goonies movie and the Stranger Things show, but noted Snapdragon differs from those media in its tone, as fantasy is not its main focus, and for happening in a more modest neighborhood. They also compared its art style and themes to that of The Witchy Boy, and ended by saying Leyh was able to create a "sensitive and benevolent story" about choices and second chances.^[4]

Snapdragon was on the American Library Association's 2021 Great Graphic Novels for Teens list, figuring among its top ten titles.^[5] The novel was also nominated for an Eisner Award, in the Best Publication for Kids category.^[6]

See also[]

• Check, Please!
• The Deep and Dark Blue
• Lumberjanes

References[]