''Awkward'' is a children's

graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...

written by

Svetlana Chmakova Svetlana Chmakova (russian: Светлана Шмакова) (b. October 7, 1979) is a Russian-Canadian comic book artist. She is best known for '' Dramacon'', an original English-language (OEL) manga spanning three volumes and published in Nor ...

. The book tells the story of Penelope "Peppi" Torres, a new student at Berrybrook Middle School, whose first encounter with a boy from the science club leads to much awkwardness between them, and their sparring clubs.

Themes

Awkward's main theme is that of friendship, directly addressing the mocking boys and girls get for being friends, and the hardships of navigating friend group drama. It also touches on growing up, and not putting yourself in a box. The fourth book in the series, ''

Diary A diary is a written or audiovisual record with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. Diaries have traditionally been handwritten but are now also often digital. A personal ...

'', features additional stories with the characters from ''Awkward''.

Reception and awards

''Awkward'' has received largely positive reviews by book critics. Amanda M. Vail of

The Mary Sue Daniel Abrams (born May 20, 1966) is an American media entrepreneur, television host, legal commentator, and author. He is currently the host of the prime-time show ''Dan Abrams Live'' on NewsNation, ''On Patrol: Live'' on Reelz and ''The Dan Ab ...

said "it needs to be on the shelves of every school and public library." ''Awkward'' was named as one of the ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with ...

'' Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2015. It was also named by

YALSA The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), established in 1957, is a division of the American Library Association. YALSA is a national association of librarians, library workers and advocates whose mission is to expand the capacity of l ...

on their list of the 2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. ''Awkward'' won the 2nd Annual

Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics is given to a comic book aimed at younger readers that fulfills the criteria of quality, timelessness, originality, diversity, and inclusion. It is named in honour of Dwayne McDuffie, a creator known for ...

, Dragon Award for Kids Comics at the 2016 Shuster Awards, and was nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens.

Publication information

* Author:

* Originally published: July 15, 2015 * Publisher:

Yen Press Yen Press, LLC is an American manga and graphic novel publisher co-owned by Kadokawa Corporation and Hachette Book Group. It published '' Yen Plus'', a monthly comic anthology, between 2008 and 2013. In addition to translated material, Yen Press ...

, an imprint of Hachette Book Group * Lettering: JuYoun Lee * Coloring Assistants: Ru Xu, Melissa McCommon

References

{{reflist American graphic novels 2015 graphic novels Berrybrook American young adult novels Yen Press titles School-themed comics