A review by _morgueann
Mallory in Full Color by Elisa Stone Leahy

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Hands down the best middle grade novel I've read in a long time. Mallory is a pre-teen trying to figure out who she is outside of her people-pleasing tendencies. As pressures from friends, family and school grow, Mal avoids dealing with her problems by lying, bottling up her feelings, and channeling her real feelings into her webcomic that she isn't even allowed to have. When Mal starts ditching swim for comic club, she meets Noa, a non-binary teen who seems to truly know themselves. As their friendship and feelings grow, the toll of Mal's juggling act catches up with her. Mal must be honest with everyone to learn how to be honest with herself. Something I really respect about this book is how Elisa Stone Leahy incorporates the reality of queerness in youth - even before youth can define themselves they start hearing messages that who they are is wrong or too much or not for the public - and when they try to just be themselves it comes with hatred from complete strangers.