Mallory in Full Color

Leahy (Tethered to Other Stars) explores themes of identity and finding one’s voice in this compassionate and imaginative novel. Twelve-year-old half-Korean and half-white Mallory Marsh dreads disappointing people, so she molds herself to others’ expectations, a habit that leads to her mother assuming Mal loves competitive swimming. She signs Mal up for the swim team, but instead of speaking up, Mal lies to get out of attending practices. Mal expresses herself the only way she knows how: through her sci-fi web comic based on interactions she has with her friends, which she posts online under the pseudonym Dr. BotGirl. When she starts attending Comic Club, she meets white-cued nonbinary Noa, whom she immediately crushes on. Unsure of what to do with these new feelings but wanting to impress Noa, Mal agrees to perform at a drag storytime. But when her comic starts getting popular among her classmates and she loses her sketchbook at school, Mal feels as if her entire world is crumbling. Pages from Mallory’s graphic novel, illustrated by Diaz (Jesse and the Snack Food Genie), begin each chapter of this true-to-life story that celebrates safe spaces and learning to be vulnerable. Ages 8–12. Agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. (Nov.)