This graphic novel sequel to A-Okay continues author/illustrator Jarad Greene’s semiautobiographical story. Here, protagonist Jay is starting high school, which means new friends, new and harder classes, and new pressure from both friends and parents to get good grades and prepare for college.
When Jay unexpectedly finds himself in a theater class when his best subject—art—is full, he hopes that theater will at least be easy. Alas, poor Yorick: It’s not. Jay isn’t a born performer, and a head full of script lines is making it harder to focus on geometry and biology. He’s also finding it difficult to balance the demands of his various friends, and even to figure out if some of them are his friends. Will he be able to find his way through these challenges and meet his goals? Or is the secret to worry less about his goals and be okay living with some uncertainty?
Jay’s asexual identity (which was established in A-Okay) is not a big part of the plot, but is mentioned in passing in ways that seem organic. The gently humorous slice-of-life story feels authentic, capturing the everyday awkwardness of adolescence but also weaving in some hints about how to navigate through it. A recommended read.
Jay and his family are White; several friends are people of color.
