I have read a lot of middle reader novels and a lot of graphic novel middle readers. I have read a lot of stories that deal with LGBTQ issues. And of course, most (if not all) have dealt with growing up, coming of age, finding yourself and situations like those. Therefore, it takes a lot for me to really love a book with the above criteria. And while I liked and enjoyed Upstaged by Robin Easter, I did not love it.
However, I did like the fact the LGBTQ representation was not forced. The characters are who they are and it is no big deal. There are the obvious hints (if you are paying attention) to some characters’ sexuality (one character has a bisexual colored bracelet as their friendship bracelet, another a trans friendship bracelet) but overall, people are “just queer or not” and that’s cool. What we focus on is the coming of age situation (it is the last summer before high school) and we can concentrate on making some nice modern theater magic at camp. We follow these characters through trying to come out and say, “I like you more than a friend,” and the jealousy that happens. We follow as people try to be friends and the hurdles that occur. We see how people put pressure on themselves to “be the best” and “do it alone” without a little help from our friends.
This is a modern story for a modern audience and is also illustrated by Easter. Their style is a cute and simpler look. The colors are not lacking, but are not necessarily over the top and/or popping off the pages. The details are minimalist which sometimes meant for me that they could have had a little more “background” to them, but do allow for the reader to focus on the actual events and action happening between the ensemble of characters. Things are fairly predictable, but that does not take away from the experience, though at least 10 and up range will find the work fresh and new. It is just a nice, good, cozy read that I would not say no to reading it again.