Review:
The author's note explains that the events of this graphic novel aren't true in all respects. It's all true in terms of the emotions, though, and Brosgol played up the best bits some. So, autobiographical fiction, I guess.
Anyway, Vera is 9, almost 10, and feels like she doesn't belong. She's the not-well-off child of a Russian immigrant and an absent dad. She thinks going to Russian camp over the summer will give her a place to fit in, but her tentmates are older and already friends, and the camp outhouse is awful. She does have a nice camp counselor and eventually becomes friends with a younger girl, but it definitely isn't an easy journey to the good stuff.
Reading this reminded me of what it was like to be a kid, and all I can say is that I'm so glad to be an adult. The awkwardness, misery, and general overwhelm was painful to read. Little Vera wanted so badly to make friends that she made some enormous mistakes, and looking at it all from an adult perspective made me cringe (and remember some of my own awkward kid moments). Kudos to Brosgol for being brave enough to put that out there.
Overall, I liked this. I need to see about reading Anya's Ghost sometime.
Extras:
In addition to the author's note, Brosgol included some photos and a couple actual letters she and her brother wrote to their mother from camp.
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