A for Effort

by Jarad Greene, Jarad Greene (Illustrator)

Overview

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. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063032873
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/05/2024
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	488,719
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jarad Greene is a cartoonist originally from Lutz, Florida, who now lives in the curious village of White River Junction, Vermont. In addition to his own comics, Jarad works on staff at the Center for Cartoon Studies and has helped color many graphic novels for younger readers. He is also the author and illustrator of the graphic novel Scullion: A Dishwasher’s Guide to Mistaken Identity. Find him online at www.jaradgreene.com.

Jarad Greene is a cartoonist originally from Lutz, Florida, who now lives in the curious village of White River Junction, Vermont. In addition to his own comics, Jarad works on staff at the Center for Cartoon Studies and has helped color many graphic novels for younger readers. He is also the author and illustrator of the graphic novel Scullion: A Dishwasher’s Guide to Mistaken Identity. Find him online at www.jaradgreene.com.

Editorial Reviews

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

From the Publisher

05/24/2024

Gr 8 Up—Not only is Jay entering high school as a freshman, he's also been assigned to take theater class, which he has no experience with. Rather than try to change it, he stays and realizes that he doesn't have to be perfect to succeed. Instantly, he meets a group of friends who are competitive high achievers who welcome him into their circle. However, their hyper-focused studying and perfectionism pose a threat to Jay's life balance as pressure builds from his parents and now his friends to gain a competitive edge. How can Jay strive but not become overstressed? Books featuring the ups and downs of characters who measure their success by their grades are less frequent but much needed. Jay's daily observations in this graphic format will stand the test of time; readers will relate to how he wants to learn and grow, but also have fun. This satisfying, standalone story is the follow-up to Greene's A-Okay, which is based on his middle school years, though not a prerequisite to fall in love with this title. VERDICT This slice-of-life graphic novel is a heartfelt, personal snapshot of an authentically human experience and will have appeal.—Alicia Abdul

School Library Journal

2023-12-16
High school freshman Jay Violet steps out of his comfort zone and onto the stage in this semiautobiographical graphic novel.

Apart from his older sister, Jay doesn’t know anyone at his new high school. To make matters worse, he gets stuck with theater as his elective instead of art. At first, he hopes it will be an easy A, but all his classes, including theater, require way more work than last year. Jay’s parents pressure him to start preparing for college, and his new friends pressure him to compete for the highest grades. Despite how anxious Jay feels speaking in front of a crowd, the challenge of becoming better at theater draws him in more than he expects. On top of Jay’s academic woes, he’s also grappling with friendships and with finding the confidence to express himself. This sequel to A-Okay (2021) introduces a new conflict and a new cast of characters, apart from Jay and his family, but familiarity with the first book will provide helpful background, particularly for the continued exploration of Jay’s asexuality. The art reflects racial diversity in the student body around Jay, but most of the central characters read white. The varied panel layouts and animated character movements balance the introspective nature of the conflict.

A vulnerable and encouraging school drama. (process notes, author’s note) (Graphic fiction. 11-14)

Kirkus Reviews