Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is peak Raina Telgemeier: warm, funny, visually engaging, and emotionally real. Drama nails the middle school experience—the friend chaos, the unrequited crushes, the trying-to-make-something-great-with-duct-tape-and-hope energy.

What sets it apart is how it normalizes LGBTQ+ relationships without making them the plot. Two boys kiss. Some characters are surprised, some aren't. Life goes on. It's exactly how representation should work.

The theater setting is genuinely fun—kids see that creating a show involves carpentry, ticket sales, teamwork, and problem-solving, not just memorizing lines. Callie's determination to build a Broadway-worthy set on a shoestring budget is inspiring without being preachy.

Some parents clutched pearls about the same-sex kiss, but honestly, if your 10-year-old can handle kids having crushes (which is... middle school), they can handle this. It's sweet, not scandalous.

The only real knock: if your kid isn't into theater or school social stuff, they might bounce off it. But for the right reader—especially reluctant ones who need pictures to stay engaged—this is gold.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-14. The middle school setting, romantic crushes, and social dynamics will resonate most with upper elementary and middle schoolers. Younger kids might enjoy it read-aloud but won't catch all the nuances.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Models teamwork, friendship, empathy, communication, and acceptance. Characters are mostly kind and supportive of one another. Features positive representation of LGBTQ+ relationships in an age-appropriate, matter-of-fact way. Some name-calling occurs but is handled constructively. The middle school setting captures authentic social dynamics without being mean-spirited.

Imaginative

82

Centers on theater production and set design, showcasing creative problem-solving with limited resources. Callie's determination to create a Broadway-worthy set on a middle-school budget demonstrates practical creativity. The graphic novel format itself is visually engaging. However, it's more about participating in creativity (theater) than inventing entirely new worlds.

Safe

92

No violence, gore, or scary content. Includes three kissing scenes (one between two boys) that are age-appropriate for the middle school setting. Some parent reviews suggest it should be for ages 12+ rather than the 7-11 range initially suggested, but Common Sense Media confirms it's appropriate with positive messages. No surprise traumatic content or trigger warnings needed.

Enriching

80

Tackles real middle school experiences: unrequited crushes, friendship dynamics, working collaboratively, and accepting others' identities. The theater setting exposes kids to behind-the-scenes production work. Normalizes LGBTQ+ relationships without making them 'issue-focused.' Builds empathy through relatable characters navigating social situations. Highly entertaining while delivering substance.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Raina Telgemeier's graphic novels are catnip for reluctant readers—colorful, fast-paced, and emotionally honest
Shows the behind-the-scenes work of theater production, not just the spotlight stuff, which is genuinely cool
Handles LGBTQ+ representation the way it should be: just part of the story, not a Very Special Episode
Captures authentic middle school social dynamics—the crushes, the friend drama, the trying-to-figure-out-who-you-are stuff
Emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving with limited resources, and accepting people as they are

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What to Watch For

Three kissing scenes including a same-sex kiss between two boys—totally age-appropriate for the story, but some families may want a heads-up
Some parent reviews thought it skewed older than the initial 7-11 age suggestion; 9-10+ feels more accurate
Typical middle school name-calling and social friction, though characters generally work through it
If your kid has zero interest in theater or school social dynamics, this might not grab them

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever had to work on a team project where people weren't getting along? How did you handle it?"
"What would you want to do if your school did a play—act, build sets, run lights, something else?"
"Callie has crushes on two brothers and it gets complicated. Have you ever liked someone who didn't like you back?"
"The book shows two boys kissing. Did that surprise you? How do you think the other characters handled it?"
"If you had to create something amazing with almost no budget, what would you make and how would you do it?"

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