Nancy Kotkin's Reviews > Be Prepared

Autobiographical children's graphic novel about a Russian-American pre-teen seeking where she fits. There are many plot threads, but they all weave together seamlessly, and the story never loses its focus on Vera's learning curve about what constitutes a healthy friendship and how to form one. The art adds to the story and deepens characterization not just of Vera, but of all the characters. Limited color palette of black, white, and green is effective to portray the old-world camp setting and ambience. Highly recommend.