Publishers Weekly
07/10/2023
Reuniting with her best friends—Vietnamese Bao and pale-skinned Linnéa—is the only reason that 12-year-old white-cued Tuva is excited to head back to Norway following her summer in Greece. But after Tuva returns, Linnéa ditches the trio’s after-school hangout early, frustrating Bao and worrying Tuva. When Linnéa reveals that she has a boyfriend—and admits that she’d rather do “girly things” like wear makeup than spar with sticks in the woods like they used to do—she and Bao have an argument that ruptures the group’s dynamic. Soon, Tuva’s classmates split into “girls who fall in love” and “girls who NEVER fall in love.” Hoping to stay neutral, Tuva befriends brown-skinned new girl Mariam, but when Bao disparages Tuva’s constantly talking about her (“I really can’t handle another friend in love”), Tuva struggles to sort out her feelings—especially since the only thing her peers seems to agree on is that girls shouldn’t date other girls. In this warmly rendered debut graphic novel, structured as Tuva’s illustrated personal diary, Dåsnes punctuates Tuva’s anxieties surrounding her fear of losing friends via styles that shift between sparsely detailed monochrome panels and moody full-color spreads that capture Tuva’s indomitable spirit. Ages 10–up. Agent: Evy Tillman, Oslo Literary. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Winner of the 2024 Stonewall Award, American Library Association
A 2023 New York Public Library Best Book
A 2024 CCBC Choice
A Bank Street Best Children's Book
Kirkus Reviews — One of the 150 Most Anticipated Books for Fall
Featured on Kirkus' 10 Essential Middle Grade Books list
"A soft and adorable story of first sapphic love and the trials and tribulations of pre-teen friendships....Reading this was like a warm hug." —Alice Oseman, NYT Bestselling author of Heartstopper
“Exudes tween angst in the best of ways, as twelve-year-old Tuva considers what it means to be a teenager....Cross My Heart and Never Lie is bookmaking at its finest.” —What To Read To Your Kids, the 2023 Gift Guide: Graphic Novels for Kids & Teens
“A Best New Graphic Novel. Compelling.” — We Are Teachers
★“Evocative of greats like Judy Blume and Sharon Creech….raw, sweet, relatable, and realistic, this modern classic has a timelessness that will leave a lasting impact.” —Booklist, starred review
“Charming and heartwarming….an insightful graphic novel that is sure to resonate with young readers….a perfect read for anyone who is feeling lost of confused amid pre-adolescence, or for anyone who simply enjoys a heartwarming story about friendship and discovery.”….Fans of Raina Telgemeier, Lucy Knisley, and other graphic novelists who write about the challenges and joys of growing up will love this book.” — No Flying, No Tights
"Oh, Tuva. I want to climb into this book and hug you….Tuva has what it takes to get through this weird time of life….A really lovely look at all the changes that can come with being 12." —Teen Librarian Toolbox, School Library Journal
"A great story about finding one’s place in the world, fitting in, and learning to be comfortable with who you are, despite what others may impose upon you. Well-told and reassuring for young people questioning their place in the world.” —School Library Journal
“Charming … captures the challenges of navigating strains on friendship bonds…An absorbing, sincerely told story of adolescent self-discovery and connection.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Timeless and international….the "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret" of the 21st Century….a relatable and touching story with incredibly charming and captivating art. “ — Viewpoint Books
“I’ve read a lot of MG books that focus on friendship and what it’s like as friends go from childhood to being teenagers, and this one stands out! I’d highly recommend this for any kid going through the elementary to middle transition.” —Meg Smith, North Carolina Public Schools
“Lovely…the unique format added more emotional depth than one can find in most graphic novels….Dåsnes illustrations have a quirky style that's easy to fall into.” —Lucy Kirby, Barrington Public Library
"Diary meets graphic novel.... clever and I loved the handwritten element. Truly adorable!" – Silver Unicorn Books
"A heartfelt coming-of-age story and a must-read for all tween/teens." —YA Books Central
School Library Journal
11/01/2023
Gr 6–10—Tuva has a plan for seventh grade: write in her diary, be cool, go to her first sleepover, and fall in love. A typical 12-year-old, Tuva lives in Norway with her dad. As she starts school, her best friends begin quarreling over boyfriends, makeup, and how to spend their spare time. As the year progresses and things get worse, she is caught in the middle, trying to figure out how to be friends with one without alienating the other. Can she reunite her friends, or will being in love with Mariam cause them to drift farther apart? Tweens will relate to Tuva being caught in friendship drama and feeling compelled to fit into a specific mold. The relationships with friends and family are authentic and add dimension to the story. Her questions about sexual orientation will ring true with readers. Fans of Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden may enjoy this title as well. The diary format is easy to read as digital illustrations add depth and vitality to the story. This is a also a good choice for struggling readers due to the uncluttered format, copious white space, and large text. VERDICT A great story about finding one's place in the world, fitting in, and learning to be comfortable with who you are, despite what others may impose upon you. Well-told and reassuring for young people questioning their place in the world. A good choice for most collections.—Elena Schuck
Kirkus Reviews
2023-06-21
A new school year brings difficult—and exhilarating—changes for a seventh grader.
In this diary-format graphic novel from Norway, 12-year-old Tuva is looking forward to seeing best friends Bao and Linnéa. The three girls spent the previous school year playing in the woods near their school, but Tuva and Bao are shocked to discover that Linnéa not only has found a boyfriend, she also now scorns their old activities as childish and wants to do “girly things.” Bao has no time for romance, but Tuva is torn between her besties: She still wants to run around in the woods, but she’s secretly curious about love and worried about being left behind. None of the boys she knows seem like soul-mate material. But there’s Mariam, the nice, interesting new girl at school; being around her makes Tuva feel shy, and at first, she’s not sure why. This charming story captures the challenges of navigating strains on friendship bonds; following some emotional highs and lows, the girls reassuringly find their ways back to one another. The sketchy lines of Dåsnes’ digital art combined with the hand-lettered font convey the feeling of a tween’s diary. The fresh color palette with ample white space is visually appealing and effectively adds emotional impact to Tuva’s journey. Bagguley’s translation reads smoothly, and the humorous and intense moments alike read completely naturally. The cast is racially diverse.
An absorbing, sincerely told story of adolescent self-discovery and connection. (author’s note) (Graphic fiction. 9-13)
