Weirdo
by Tony Weaver (Author) Cin Wibowo (Illustrator)
From rising star Tony Weaver, Jr. comes a middle-grade graphic novel memoir about an awkward preteen who loves all things geeky but struggles with mental health issues and self-doubt, perfect for fans of Jerry Craft's New Kid.
Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games, and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he's a weirdo. Bullied by his peers, Tony struggles with the hurt of not being accepted and tries to conform to other people's expectations. After a traumatic event shakes him to his core, he embarks on a journey of self love that will require him to become the hero of his own story.
Weirdo is a triumphant, witty, and comedic story for any kid who's ever felt awkward, left out, or like they don't belong. An adolescence survival guide that will give every reader the confidence to make it to the other side.
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Publishers Weekly
A Black 11-year-old faces a gauntlet of obstacles in debut author Weaver's uplifting graphic novel memoir, which examines issues surrounding the pressures of fitting in, mental health, and suicide. Tony Weaver Jr. has "been the new kid so many times it doesn't feel new anymore," a fact that buoys him as he starts at yet another new school. But he's bullied by other students for bringing toys to class and by Black peers for his demeanor ("You think he asked to get put in the Oreo section?"). Everything is made worse by his grief over his late grandmother. Shifting color palettes convey the effects of these experiences--richly colored drawings by the Wibowos (Lunar Boy), embellished with superhero comic emanata, fade to b&w as Weaver's loneliness deepens. Illustrations eventually move back to vibrant hues as Weaver begins to heal following a suicide attempt, an event that leads his parents to send him to a psychologist and another new, predominantly Black school, where he befriends like-minded "weirdos." It all culminates in a touching story of belonging, in which Weaver realistically depicts the many small steps required to becoming one's own hero. Ages 10-14. (Sept.)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Kirkus
Fans of Jerry Craft and Jarrett Kroscozka will appreciate this honest, hopeful portrayal of recovery from even the darkest places. Readers will also enjoy spotting the many anime and gaming references.
Review quotes
I've been singing the praises of Tony Weaver Jr. for years, and here, I'm proud to say, he's given me one more reason to do so. Weirdo is more than a graphic novel about bullying or misfits. It's a blinding light of a tale about a boy who fights to become himself. About an oddball who finds wonder in his own weirdness. It's a reminder that we all have a place. And people. And some of us have a particular point of view on the world. I'm so happy Tony is using his to bring such palpable joy, love, and imagination to it. —Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways
Tony's Heartfelt story reminds us Why Embracing Individuality Radically Defies Obstacles. —Jerry Craft, 2020 Newbery and Coretta Scott King Book Award winner for New Kid
Weirdo empowers readers to celebrate their own identities and offers hope to find the crew that will love you for all of your magnificent quirks! —Jarrett J. Krosoczka, National Book Award finalist for Hey, Kiddo
Weirdo is a powerful story filled with empathy about the effects of bullying and how we can attempt to cope with it. —Dan Santat, 2023 National Book Award Winner for A First Time for Everything
Tony Weaver, Jr. is a storyteller who uses his passion for comics and anime to help people unlock their inner hero. With his TikTok videos and social impact organization Weird Enough Productions, he uses diverse stories to uplift young people. He made history as the first comic writer ever selected for Forbes 30 Under 30. His work has attracted coverage from CNN, NBC, HuffPost, and The Mary Sue, and landed him honors from organizations such as Microsoft, Gucci, and Coca-Cola. Funko profiled him on the side of a Pop figure box, and he won the AdColor Influencer of The Year award.
Jes and Cin Wibowo are Chinese Indonesian twins born in Jakarta. As Third Culture Kids, they spent their early childhood years moving back and forth between the US and Indonesia. The two both graduated with a BFA and eventually an MFA in Sequential Arts from SCAD. They're currently based in Jakarta, reading a mix of superhero comics, the occasional manga, and lots of graphic novels.JUV008000 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | General
