"How I made it to eighteen: A mostly true story" by Tracy White

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Bibliographic Citation

Title: How I made it to eighteen: A mostly true story

Author/Illustrator: Tracy White

Year of Publication: 2010

Publisher City: New York

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

ISBN: 9781596434547

Author/Illustrator Website: http://www.traced.com/

Media Used for Artwork: Ink

Copyright 2010/2011

Nonfiction Graphic Novel

Awards

·         YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens, 2011

·         Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, 2011

·         CCBC Choice, 2011

·         Texas Library Association Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, 2010

·         Graphic Novel Reporter’s 2010 Favorites

Annotation

A semibiographical graphic novel about Stacy’s time at Golden Meadows Hospital where she struggles to discover the reasoning behind her depression, drug use, and bulimia in hopes of trying to discover a way to be happy.

Personal Reaction

                This is an intense story that any teenager who is dealing with issues of depression or lack of self-esteem should read.  Not only do readers gain an understanding of Stacy and her choices but they also learn about other teenagers who have similar issues.  This story shows the importance of talking about things and not letting them bottle up to a critical point where someone can do harm onto others or themselves.  It also shows that no one is the only one, that no one is alone.

                The illustrations are minimalistic, putting emphasis on the text.  The illustrations compliment what is being said by not taking over the pages with elaborate detail.  This helps in moments where Stacy’s friends talk, a reader sees what they look like, but what they are saying stands out.  And also her therapy sessions where she does open up.