Waterstones Piccadilly branch has an amazing selection of
graphic novels but I found myself returning again and again to Svetlana
Chmakova‘s novel, Crush. It is set in
Berrybrook Middle School (11-13 years) as were her other novels, Awkward and Brave.
There was something about the shape, weight and texture of
the book alongside Wendy Chan’s cover design that drew me in and I really wanted to
find out more about the main character, Jorge Ruiz’s perspective on crushes.
Jorge Ruiz is big and powerfully built and a kind, sweet
thoughtful guy with a warm sense of humour. Jorge is known as the big scary
dude you don’t mess with. Olivia and Garrett are his long-time friends and they
are a tight team. Jorge gets annoyed when some people think he and Olivia are
dating or when Garratt tries to emulate James, quarterback , team captain and ‘leader’
of the Athletics Club People.
Jorge’s dad told him, “Strength is a resource. If you have a lot
and someone doesn’t, you gotta share yours.” Time and again throughout the
course of this graphic novel Jorge draws upon his quiet strength especially
when his phone his hacked and his friendship with Garratt is tested.
It seems to Jorge that everyone is obsessed with dating. Then
he meets Jazmine Duong and no matter how hard he tries to convince himself that
he does not have a crush on her he finds himself drawn to her. His sense of
awkwardness and bewilderment are revealed best in the pages that are blank apart
from one panel shown on the bottom right hand of the page. Jazmin and Jorge negotiate
their friendship and build a positive, respectful and warm relationship.
It is study in friendship with all its ups and downs. With
its subtle tones and a manga style the art work reveals just how painful
relationships can be to navigate and how hard it is to withstand negative peer
pressure.
At its core is a group of middle schoolers who looking out
for each other. They won’t tolerate meanness, bullying or anyone who does not
respect body autonomy. They have fun and make mistakes. Crush is a delight from start to finish.
JY – Inprint of Yen Press
ISBN: 978-0-316-36324-2
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