Maybe An Artist, A Graphic Memoir

by Liz Montague

Overview

A heartfelt and funny graphic novel memoir from one of the first Black female cartoonists to be published in the New Yorker, when she was just 22 years old.

When Liz Montague was a senior in college, she wrote to the New Yorker, asking them why they didn't publish more inclusive comics. The New Yorker wrote back asking if she could recommend any. She responded: yes, me.

Those initial cartoons in the New Yorker led to this memoir of Liz's youth, from the age of five through college—how she navigated life in her predominantly white New Jersey town, overcame severe dyslexia through art, and found the confidence to pursue her passion. Funny and poignant, Liz captures the age-old adolescent questions of “who am I?” and “what do I want to be?” with pitch-perfect clarity and insight.

This brilliant, laugh-out-loud graphic memoir offers a fresh perspective on life and social issues and proves that you don’t need to be a dead white man to find success in art.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593307816
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	10/18/2022
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	307,516
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	12 Years

About the Author

Liz Montague is a cartoonist, writer, and illustrator whose work focuses on the intersection of self and social awareness. She began contributing to the New Yorker in 2019 as a cartoonist and has illustrated for the U.S. Open, Food Network, Google, and the Joe Biden presidential campaign. She’s been profiled by the Washington Post, ABC News, and Today, among other media outlets. Liz is the creator of the popular Liz at Large cartoon series, which previously ran in Washington City Paper, and is passionate about documenting social change and protest movements. This is her first book for children.

Editorial Reviews

A The Washington Post Best Book of 2022

A 2022 Bulletin Blue Ribbon selection

"Montague’s bright, expressive cartoons… will delight young readers."—The New York Times

"A charming, funny, moving portrait of the artist as a young woman."—The Wall Street Journal

"Extraordinary."— Betsy Bird, Fuse #8

★ "A humorous and touching graphic memoir." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

★ "The tone is joyful and thoughtful—Liz is gentle in her portrayal of her younger self in this memoir." —The Bulletin, starred review

★ "An inspiring journey of self-discovery, self-expression, and self-love." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This will speak to many readers who feel like they aren’t being heard." —Booklist

"Delightful... delivered with humor and heart." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

10/01/2022

Gr 7 Up—This graphic-format memoir is told from the POV of Montague as an adult, looking back on her childhood and exploring how her life changed from grammar school through adulthood. She reflects back to her earliest days, when she was trying to figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up. Growing up as a Black girl with severe dyslexia, she spent time trying to find her voice as an artist while trying to break through barriers at the same time. The book is very effective in capturing the frustration and confusion of a young person dealing with a learning disorder and using her love of art to help her navigate reading. The cover, which puts a new spin on Rockwell's famous Triple Self-Portrait, grabs our attention right away, and the accomplished cartoons inside the book will hold the attention of even the most reluctant readers. The pace of this book takes its time until it ends quickly, with Montague's cartoons being published in the New Yorker, helping to pave the way for more inclusive comics. Montague's story is sometimes poignant but ultimately sweet and uplifting, and it will provide inspiration for young artists everywhere. VERDICT For fans of cartoons, true stories, overcoming odds, and women who carved out a unique place in the world.—Andrea Lipinski

School Library Journal

2022-07-27
A Black cartoonist looks back at her school years and her path to career success.

Montague opens her graphic memoir as an adult working through a creative block by remembering how she came to be an artist. On Sept. 11, 2001, she was only 5 and living in New Jersey. In the following years her dyslexia became obvious. As Montague moved on to middle school, she began to see journalism as her path, but her thoughts were consumed by struggles with academics and fitting in. While receiving praise for her artwork, she also realized she had a talent for track. High school brought its own challenges, as Montague felt invisible and overwhelmed as she grew to understand both the pressures of being a racial minority in her suburban community and the expectations to make the most of the opportunities provided by her parents’ sacrifices. In college on a track scholarship, Montague took an art class and found a fulfilling and successful direction for her life, breaking through as a published New Yorker cartoonist at age 22. The author maintains a youthful voice throughout: Her descriptions of school and social struggles are well done and will resonate with readers. Her growing self-awareness is handled with insight and wit. The lively, expressive drawing style combined with a soft color palette and clean white background works perfectly with the tone of the narrative.

A delightful combination of text and images delivered with humor and heart. (Graphic memoir. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews