Mismatched

July 1, 2024
Style influencer, ballet dancer, out-and-proud president of his school's gay-straight alliance, and social expert: Is there anything Evan Horowitz can't do? In this contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's Emma, white Jewish Evan is ending junior year determined to generously share his wisdom with his ragtag group of classmates. Most in need is Natalia, the na�ve new girl whom Evan immediately takes on as a makeover-and-matchmaking project. Various pairings ensue, including secret dating, Rainbow Prom drama, and an ill-advised crush. Evan's lifelong best friend is the sensible and steady Brazilian American Davi, who frequently shuts down his schemes and notions. The pair are so comfortable together that the first sparks of friendship turning to romance take them both by surprise. Camlin draws as much on Clueless as they do on the original novel, closely following the expected plot beats, which, if not exactly innovative, will be agreeable to fans of the film. Evan's characterization is easily the star of the show; he's a worthy Emma Woodhouse analogue whose sky-high confidence and charm don't waver despite his myriad flaws. The less well-developed supporting cast members are allowed fun moments. There's a wholesome simplicity to Zeferino's art, with its bright pastel colors and fluid linework lending a cheerful and welcoming aesthetic to the people and places of the Queens setting and humor to the characters' interactions. A pleasant and amusing retelling. (Graphic fiction. 12-18)

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July 1, 2024
Grades 7-12 Social media influencer, ballet dancer, and makeup guru Evan Horowitz's matchmaking attempts backfire in this endearing, queer graphic retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. Confident after introducing his sister to her new husband, Evan sees potential matches everywhere. As president of his school's GSA, he has opinions about a lot of people. He does his best to use this knowledge--along with his makeup and styling skills--to help new girl Natalia find romance. But when his own crush turns out to like someone else, and Natalia's sights set on Davi, Evan's lifelong best friend, he realizes that his meddling may have gotten out of hand. Despite an occasionally lagging pace, the art is adorable and the characters are quirky and compelling, if frustrating at times (not unlike the source material). Readers who are unfamiliar with Emma may find the connections between characters and the shifting alignments confusing; the various situations seem to resolve themselves rather quickly at the end. Despite some narrative slow points, this update brings accessibility and a modern sensibility to a beloved classic.

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September 1, 2024

Gr 10 Up-Evan Horowitz is a 17-year-old high school student in Queens, NY. He spends his free time being a social media influencer and matchmaking for his friends. He's also known for recruiting anyone nearby for a makeover or style session. When transfer student Natalia shows up at school, Evan takes her under his wing and helps her navigate her love life. She joins the Gay Straight Alliance club, where drama prevails as Evan and his peers meddle in one another's business. Evan's neighbor and close friend Davi is constantly giving him advice about his daily mischief. Evan bickers with him, though, and shrugs off his unwanted input. As couples form, break up, and explore their identities, Evan soon realizes that he hasn't paid enough attention to his own goals. He starts to see that the one relationship he wishes to be romantic may have been in front of him all along. A modern-day Regency comedy, this graphic novel is a lighthearted glimpse of a friend group in a diverse New York high school. The artwork is colorful and fun, and the characters are quirky with youthful na�vet�. A wide range of gender identities are represented, but rarely explored. Although the characters and storyline could have been more deeply developed, the action is easy to follow and flows nicely. VERDICT A sweet LGBTQIA+ story that will appeal to teens who enjoy inclusive, simple social dramas.-Karin Greenberg

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