The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge, 192 pp, RL: Middle School
The Dark Matter of Mona Starr by Laura Lee Gulledge Review copy from Abrams Kids As Mona, Gulledge's main character/alter-go says toward the end of The Dark Matter of Mona Starr, "I'm a writer. I can speak story." Not only is Gulledge a writer who can speak story (see below for links to my reviews of her previous graphic novels), she is an artist who can communicate abstract emotions in concrete ways. The Dark Matter of Mona Starr joins a growing shelf of superb graphic novels for young readers addressing emotional health, as well as physical, mental and emotional challenges, spearheaded by Raina Telgemeier. And, like many of these excellent works, Gulledge's book draws on her personal experiences, adding a layer of depth and authenticity. Unlike many of these, Gulledge's graphic novel is best suited toward middle grade and teen readers, not for content appropriateness, but for the reader's ability to understand and most benefit from the experience and wisdo…
