Title: Button Pusher
Author: Tyler Page
Genre: Young Adult Graphic Memoir
Number of Pages: 256
Rating: B
Recommended?: Yes
Button Pusher is an informative, vibrantly illustrated graphic memoir about the author’s struggles with ADHD. There isn’t really any sense of closure but that is part of what makes the narrative feel realistic. Tyler Page grew up in a dysfunctional family with a father who was emotionally abusive and prone to angry outbursts. Tyler was a bright kid and good at his schoolwork when he was able to concentrate but his behavior could also be frustrating and out of control.
One of the things I particularly liked about this book were the infographics interspersed throughout that taught the reader about ADHD and the differences between the ADHD and the neurotypical brain. They were both easy-to-read and informative and I found Tyler Page’s artwork to be dynamic and appealing. I will be following this writer/illustrator and looking forward to his future projects.
Title: Gender Queer
Author: Maia Kobabe
Genre: Graphic Memoir
Number of Pages: 239
Rating: B+
Recommended?: Yes
Maia Kobabe is a artist who uses e/em/eir pronouns and doesn’t identify with any particular gender. In this beautifully illustrated memoir, e tells the story of growing up and feeling different from eir peers. One of the most-challenged books of 2021, Gender Queer is a book that I was apprehensive about but ended up winning me over. I related to some of the author’s experiences with asexuality and gender dysphoria. Reading the book felt like I was having a long, meaningful conversation with a close friend.
Sarah's Corner 