Timid by Jonathan Todd

Timid by Jonathan Todd. Graphix, 2024. 9781338305708






Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5



Format : ARC (publication 4/2/24) graphic novel



Genre :  Realistic fiction



What did you like about the book? This middle-grade graphic novel is a semi- autobiographical version of life for Cecil, a seventh-grader who has just moved back to Massachusetts from Florida. He is among the few black students at his middle school, most of whom commute from Boston to a suburban school as part of the Metco program. Cecil’s indecisiveness about where and who to sit with at lunch is something many readers can identify with. His college-age sister Leah, urges him to not become an Oreo, and his father is always trying to toughen him up.



Cecil is a budding cartoonist, trying to find where he fits in. He isn’t athletic or comfortable speaking out. Nevertheless, he does use his talents to help a classmate win an election and make some money with his drawings, and he even gets in trouble and is called to the principal’s office because of the misuse of one of his caricatures. But Cecil becomes more and more confident and even begins to make friends. You’ll root for him as you watch him navigate his way through the halls of Webber Middle School.



This is a heartwarming story with lots of humorous moments. The artwork isn’t crisp, but it isn’t meant to be perfect, after all, it’s Cecil’s story. One hopes this is the beginning of a series featuring Cecil and his friends.



To whom would you recommend this book?  Graphic novel fans will enjoy this one.



Who should buy this book? Middle school and even high school libraries, and public libraries should get this for their collections. 



Where would you shelve it? Graphic novels



Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Near the top



Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Maria Touet, Malden Catholic High School, Malden, MA



Date of review: December 4, 2023