Review: You Belong Here
You Belong Here
by Sara Phoebe Miller, illustrated by Morgan Beem
First Second, 2025
In this angsty graphic novel, readers follow aspiring actor and 17 year old Jewish girl Essie Rosen through a drama-filled senior year of high school. Her long time boyfriend breaks up with her, her best friend is distant and busy, and her family is more focused on her brother in rehab than on her.
We watch Essie navigate anxious parents, the challenges of changing friendships, and the expectations and pressure of a difficult life stage. The story explores topics of drugs, sex, alcohol, mental health, body type, religion, and race and includes a diverse cast of characters. The graphic novel includes very mature content and is a fit for older teens.
The overdramatic tone of the text does a good job of evoking what it feels like to be a teen navigating such a transitional and often confusing life stage and will speak to teen readers. The dialog is believable and engaging.
The illustrations are watercolor with monochromatic blue tones and full
of detail. They evoke a soft and comforting feeling to pair with the
text.
The Jewish representation is subtle and is not the center of the narrative or even an integral part of the story or the understanding of the protagonist. Although we know that Essie is Jewish and she makes a couple of comments about her Jewishness, it is casual and will not confuse non-Jewish readers. There is one scene where the family has Shabbat dinner but the reciting of the blessings are not explained to the reader.
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