A For Effort

The next semiautobiographical graphic novel from Jarad Greene continues to follow Jay, this time as he faces his freshman year of high school—and a whole new world of friendships, self-discovery, and stress about the future.

The start of Jay’s freshman year is full of new things . . . New friends. New classes. New challenges.

All of which are expected, until his new friend group’s obsession with perfect grades puts the pressure on—especially when his best subject, art, is full. Without it to anchor him, Jay hopes theater class will be the easy A he’s looking for. But when the class begins, Jay finds himself struggling like never before. Turns out balancing Shakespeare with biology and geometry is a lot harder than he thought. Will Jay be able to step into the spotlight and deliver an A+ performance 

Perfect for readers of Yehudi Mercado and Rachel Elliott, A for Effort’s refreshingly witty and honest story is a heartfelt exploration of how it’s not always the outcome but the journey itself that truly matters. 

"A vulnerable and encouraging school drama." -- Kirkus Reviews

"A relatable story about a shy, awkward kid coming out of his shell and finding his crowd, this is also a bit of a love letter to the community and camaraderie of youth theater." -- Horn Book Magazine

A compelling depiction of teenage uncertainty. -- Kirkus Reviews

A story about kids learning to feel good about themselves on their own terms is no small thing, and Jay is a low-key, lovely protagonist. Greene's simple, bubbly color illustrations are friendly and accessible, matching the content perfectly. An earnest exploration of adolescence, recognizable and relevant to middle schoolers coming into their own. -- School Library Journal

Jay's arc is distinct and refreshing, and the story's emphasis on friendships and body image issues is likely to resonate with any reader who has wished to jump out of their skin. -- Publishers Weekly

Greene's use of color, line, and composition in his comic-panel layouts enhances the humor and angst of this particular slice of adolescent life. -- The Horn Book

Supported by expressive, well-drawn, and colorful illustrations, this compelling graphic novel will appeal to fans of middle-grade graphic memoirs. -- Booklist

Jarad Greene's A-OKAY was inspired by Jarad's own experiences battling acne in his youth and his early understanding of being ace. The book is adapted from Jarad's mini-comic, "Memories of a Former Porcelain Doll", one of six works awarded a mini-grant in 2017 by the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo. Jarad's debut graphic novel, SCULLION, was published by Oni Press/Lion Forge in 2020. Prior to that, he received his MFA at the Center for Cartoon Studies, where he currently works as the school's Administrative and Development Coordinator. In addition to his own comics, Jarad is a well-regarded coloring assistant and has worked on graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier, Tillie Walden, Gale Galligan, and Kristen Gudsnuk, among others. He currently lives in White River Junction, Vermont.

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