Barnes & NobleKatie and the Cupcake Cure The Graphic Novel by Coco Simon

A cute read about friendship

Sweetness cures so many ills in this fun tale about friendship, determination, and...for all things...cupcakes. Katie has no clue what's going on with her best friend, but ever since she returned from her summer camp right before the first day of middle school, she's been giving Katie the cold shoulder. Instead, the girl has joined the 'mean' girls to form a Popular Girls Club. They make it more than clear that Katie does not belong. But soon, Katie meets several new girls, and the four of them decide to start their own club, the Cupcake Club. What starts out as a cupcake every Friday soon turns into much, much more. This is a graphic novel for the lower end of the middle grade audience and swirls around everyday school life and friendship's ups and downs. Katie is a nice girl, who simply hasn't turned her interests to boys and fashion like some of those around her. The situation is one that many readers will relate with, especially when Katie's troubles concerning her once best friend arise. There is some bullying and taunting, which readers will also recognize and sympathize with. Even the forming of new friendships is nothing new and soon overshadows the more negative sides. The graphics are done with a bubbly sweetness, which gives them a cuter atmosphere than those for older readers. They fit the friendship and cupcake atmosphere wonderfully. Each scene does a nice job at letting the story flow, balancing out well with the text. It's easy to read, draws in, and comes across very naturally. It's a wonderful read about girls, friendship, and middle school and is sure to delight graphic novel fans. I received a DRC and enjoyed getting to know this fun group.