Chillax

July 1, 2013

Gr 6-9- Chillax shares the humor and heart of the popular comic strip. An engaging and fast read, the book is chock-full of the black-and-white illustrations that "Zits" enthusiasts love. Readers follow Jeremy to his very first rock concert and watch him figure out how to deal with the illness of a friend's mom, all while learning how to communicate with his girlfriend. Throughout the story, even in the more serious parts, hilarious high jinks ensue, and readers will get a kick out of Jeremy's exaggerated teenage antics, including a bedroom so messy that he does not know where his bed is, and a van that can only be started with a smelly retainer (the wires are just the right length). Although the characters drive and attend concerts, the book will appeal to a younger audience as the treatment of the more mature themes may be too shallow for older teens. Reluctant readers of all ages, however, will enjoy the book, and it's a great recommendation for kids who have graduated from "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (Abrams) and are looking for something similar, if a bit more mature.-Sharon McKellar, Oakland Public Library, CA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2013
A hybrid graphic-and-prose novel starring Jeremy Duncan from the author and illustrator's comic strip Zits covers well-trodden ground with charm and humor. Jeremy and his good friend Hector have scored tickets to see rock gods Gingivitis in concert. Just one problem: Neither one has permission from his parents. And one more problem: Jeremy and Hector's band mate Tim's mom (aka T-Mom) has been diagnosed with cancer, and Tim will be spending the night of the concert donating bone marrow. Can Jeremy and Hector make it to the concert and bring back something meaningful for their pal Tim? Black-and-white cartoon-style drawings are interwoven seamlessly with the text. Sometimes the drawings illustrate events described in the prose, and other times action and dialogue unfold within comics panels. There's nothing groundbreaking in the narrative's frequent comic observations: Rock stars are eccentric; guys don't talk about their feelings (though maybe they should). Nevertheless, the laid-back, stand-up-comedy-esque tone is good for plenty of chuckles ("Here's a free tip: Hollering 'Dude!' at a rock concert is about as specific as hollering 'Mom!' at a water aerobics class"), and the resolution is warm while retaining a humorous edge. Well-executed, clean fun with a heart. (Graphic-and-prose fiction. 12 & up)

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