Drama by Raina Telgemeier

         

    Drama is a graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier. It follows a seventh grader named Callie, whose passion is scenic design, which she gets to do for her school’s production of Moon Over Mississippi. During preparation for the play, she meets twins Justin and Jesse. Justin wants to try out for a part while Jesse wants to help behind the scenes. As work begins, Callie and her friends navigate middle school crushes and, for some, sexual orientation. Drama ensues as feelings are realized but sometimes not returned.

              This book has been on my radar since I wrote a research paper for one of my summer classes about the censorship of graphic novels in school libraries. One of the scholarly articles I used mentioned this book because it is frequently challenged in elementary and middle school libraries because it includes conversations about sexuality and depicts two boys kissing during the play. I wanted to read this book so I could personally lay eyes on these things that have been upsetting parents all over the country.

              Since this is a graphic novel, the story is basically told in illustrations and dialogue. I thought the conversations of the characters seemed very natural and age appropriate. The things the characters said helped reveal their personalities, quirks, and humor. The dialogue wasn’t fancy or over-the-top, it was simple but still moved the story along and relayed important plot points to the reader.

              The illustrations do a great job of developing the plot. The characters are well-designed and consistent. The pictures easily depict what’s happening and how the characters are feeling. The story takes place over several months, and the characters are seen wearing different outfits. I know this seems like a small, silly detail, but I think it’s so easy for illustrators to draw their characters as “outfit repeaters,” so it was a nice touch to see them in different clothing each day. Each illustration is also colored, which makes them eye catching and engaging for young readers.

              The illustrations also reinforce the written text. The dialogue matches the pictures perfectly and the reader can see the expressions of the characters to get a full understanding of how they’re feeling. There are also simple text boxes with writing that’s not dialogue to help move the plot along that goes along nicely with the illustrations.

              Overall, I thought this book was a fun read. Telgemeier did a great job of depicting characters in middle school, they really captured that awkward time in a teenager’s life. As for the concerns that get the book banned from school libraries, like the character’s discussions about sexuality or the depiction of two boys kissing, I didn’t think they were the main focus of the story. They were very brief moments in the plot and not an overpowering presence in the story. I don’t think this book should be removed from school library shelves. If parents are worried about their children reading it, they should have that conversation with them. I give this book four out of five stars.

Telgemeier, R. (2021, December 7). Drama: A Graphic Novel. Scholastic Inc.