The Real Riley Mayes
The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliott is a debut graphic novel published by Balzer + Bray, Harper Alley, imprints of HarperCollinsPublishers in 2022. This 220-page book is presented in English and explores themes of friendship, identity, and self-acceptance through the lens of a fifth grader navigating the challenges of school life. Riley feels out of place as her best friend has moved away, and her passion for drawing often overshadows her academic performance.
Readers will find a humorous and heartfelt narrative as Riley embarks on a journey of self-discovery, aided by new friendships and her admiration for comedian Joy Powers. The story captures the essence of what it means to feel like an outsider while highlighting the importance of embracing one’s unique qualities. With elements of humor and social themes, this graphic novel resonates with creative kids and those who appreciate the complexities of growing up.
Official synopsis Publisher
A Stonewall Book Award Honor * A Sid Fleishman Humor Award Honor
Funny and full of heart, this debut graphic novel is a story about friendship, identity, and embracing all the parts of yourself that make you special.
Fifth grade is just not Riley’s vibe. Everyone else is squaded up–except Riley. Her best friend moved away. All she wants to do is draw, and her grades show it.
One thing that makes her happy is her favorite comedian, Joy Powers. Riley loves to watch her old shows and has memorized her best jokes. So when the class is assigned to write letters to people they admire, of course Riley’s picking Joy Powers!
Things start to look up when a classmate, Cate, offers to help Riley with the letter, and a new kid, Aaron, actually seems to get her weird sense of humor. But when mean girl Whitney spreads a rumor about her, things begin to click into place for Riley. Her curiosity about Aaron’s two dads and her celebrity crush on Joy Powers suddenly make more sense.
Readers will respond to Riley’s journey of self-discovery and will recognize themselves in this character who is less than perfect but trying her best. And creative kids will recognize themselves in her love of art and drawing.
While often funny and light, Riley’s exploration of what it feels to be an outsider and how hard it can be to make a friend break your heart in the best way. And with all of Riley’s hijinks and missteps, this story is laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish.
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