In this semiautobiographical graphic novel from award-winning cartoonist Colleen Frakes, Norah must navigate not just her foiled dreams of blond hair but also the tangled mess her family has become.
Norah is the good kid. Good at pleasing her parents and being a good sister. Good at school. Good at, well, almost everything.
So when Mom’s work brings her to a new town leaving Norah and Dad behind, no one thinks twice. After all, Norah’s a mature sixth grader who can take care of herself…right? But things spiral out of control after a botched home dye job goes wrong and being the good kid quickly gets a little…hairy.
Before long, one small tangle becomes a knot of epic proportions, and Norah soon realizes that the only way to untangle the mess she’s made is to find her voice and ask for help.
Perfect for fans of Just Pretend and Crunch, Knots is sure to have readers laughing (and cringing) along with Norah’s antics.
“Knots is the rare middle-grade graphic novel that features entertaining, nuanced writing that's thought-provoking but not moralistic—and the cartooning is perfect,too. Nothing short of brilliant.” — Hope Larson, NYTBestselling and Eisner award winning author of All Summer Long
★“A darling graphic novel...Frakes normalizes moving, worrying, unavailable parents, and grappling more responsibilities than a 12-year-old might be ready for. The pages include bubbly internal dialogue that flow readily with a variety of backgrounds in boxed and borderless panels. Illustrated bodies and faces convey movement in a way that almost feels animated, and the emotional expressions are spot-on...A compelling and strong addition to middle grade graphic fiction collections.” — School Library Journal, starred review
“In this endearing graphic novel...repair and joy are always possible.” — Publishers Weekly
“A preteen’s tangled hair becomes symbolic of her life...vibrant, expressive drawings ably carry much of the setting and characterization. A sympathetic slice-of-life story.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Address[es] the pressures of parental expectations and how they compound...Norah learns that untangling the knots in life can be a struggle, but having the courage to stand up for yourself and find the support you need can smooth the strands even just a little bit.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books