16-year-old Raquel lives in a small town in Portugal, the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Her parents are divorced and she’s just been suspended for cursing out a school aide asking about her father’s new marriage. She has two best friends, Luísa and Fred, but wants something more.
Then, from afar, she sees Pardalita, a senior and a gifted artist who’s moving to Lisbon to study in the fall. The two girls get to know each other while working on a play. And Raquel falls in love.
From author/artist Joana Estrela comes Pardalita, a beautiful slice-of-life story that is This One Summer meets Ursula K. Le Guin’s Very Far Away from Anywhere Else, told in flashbacks and present day action. Using a gorgeous blend of prose poems, illustrations, and graphic novel format, Estrela captures the feeling of being a teenager in a way that feels gentle, joyful, and real.
Notes. Black-and-white illustrations were created using an iPad and Procreate.
Topics Coming of age. Teenage girls. Sexuality. LGBTQ. Portugal. Children of divorce. Bildungsromans. Lesbians. Love. Prose poems.
Trim Size 8 1/2" x 6"
JLG Span Fall
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2023-04-17
JLG Release Date Sep 2023
Minimum grade 9
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
Graphic Novels High Plus (Grades 9 & Up)
Graphic Novels High Plus
Graphic Novels High Plus (Grades 9 & Up)
For Grades 9 & Up
This collection features immersive graphic novels that combine striking visuals with rich storytelling. Selections span a wide range of genres and styles, offering engaging narratives that appeal to both avid and reluctant readers. Some selections are written for adults but are thoughtfully chosen for their relevance and appeal to teen readers.
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