Everyone Sux But You

by K. Wroten, K. Wroten (Illustrator)

Overview

"A new generation's Perks of Being a Wallflower." —Mary Shyne, author of You and Me on Repeat

A bold young adult graphic novel about the highs and lows of growing up, queer love, and learning to accept yourself for who you are, perfect for fans of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Daria and Ladybird.

High school senior Carson Flynn doesn't give a damn—about you, about school, or about her future. The only thing she cares about is jumping into mosh pits at concerts with her best friend Ash.

But when Ash and Carson's friendship becomes something more, a lot of complicated feelings enter the pit swinging: the unresolved grief they share over the loss of Carson's mother, the realities of growing up queer in small-town America, and the biggest bruiser of all: what does it mean to love and be loved?

As Carson discovers new corners of her heart, she sees that her too-cool approach to life may have been keeping her closed off from her potential. Maybe there is something greater out there, a bright future full of promise . . . if only she could convince Ash to see it too.

Everyone Sux But You, the first young adult graphic novel from award-winning comics creator K. Wroten, defines what being a teen feels like while redefining what a graphic novel for teens can be.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250821669
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	05/20/2025
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 8.75(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

K. Wroten is an award-winning comics author and illustrator. They are originally from the Midwest and currently live in Brooklyn, NY with their pet snake, Jules.

K. Wroten is an award-winning comics author and illustrator. They are originally from the Midwest and currently live in Brooklyn, NY with their pet snake, Jules.

Editorial Reviews

"Everyone Sux But You is a book you can lose time inside . . . Wroten perfectly captures the agony of first love embedded in a deep and complicated friendship, as well as the ambition of bright misfits dreaming of elsewhere in "flyover country". A new generation's Perks of Being a Wallflower." —Mary Shyne, author of You and Me on Repeat

"A complex and emotionally raw story of young love and learning to prioritize oneself." —Kirkus Reviews

"An honest exploration of first love and the strength it takes to leave an abusive ­relationship." —School Library Journal

"Laden with references to alternative music and the 2000s emo scene, Everyone Sux but You provides insight into the mutable nature of teenage relationships through an emotionally resonant queer lens." —Booklist

From the Publisher

2025-03-22
A queer teen reflects on an all-consuming relationship.

Carson, a member of the class of 2009 in conservative Midwestern America, finds herself falling in love with her best friend, Ash, during their senior year. Their relationship begins to shift into something more than friendship, but they’re also navigating feelings for other people, exploring different plans for the future, and grieving the loss of Carson’s mom. This graphic novel, illustrated in a minimal palette, is narrated through Carson’s diary entries written to her mom toward the end of the school year as she looks back at the rise and fall of her life-altering—and ultimately toxic—relationship with Ash. Interspersed flashbacks stretching further back in time slowly reveal exactly what happened to Carson’s mom, which gives deeper insight into Carson’s emotional state. This narrative structure requires patience from readers as the pieces come together, but it adds intrigue and pays off emotionally in an ending filled with heartbreak and hope. Pop-culture references throughout add texture to the setting and will satisfy nostalgia-craving readers, particularly those who went through an emo phase, while the overall story of complicated relationships will resonate with many. The main characters are the white of the page in the appealing art that’s rendered in bold, black lines with light purplish-gray shading.

A complex and emotionally raw story of young love and learning to prioritize oneself. (playlist, author’s note, resources, sketches)(Graphic fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews