Sunhead

by Alex Assan, Alex Assan (Illustrator)

Overview

In this queer coming-of-age teen graphic novel by breakout talent Alex Assan, high schooler Rotem feels herself growing apart from her friends in a million inexpressible ways. But an unexpected connection with another student makes her feel more herself than ever before. This incisive and stunningly gorgeous debut is perfect for fans of Bloom and Gender Queer.

Rotem is a Sunhead, a fan of the international smash hit Sunrise series of books and films. She’s obsessed with the story’s love interest, Edmund, and no one else gets it. But all that changes when she befriends Ayala, a shy classmate and avid book lover who’s as swept away by the romance as she is. The two become fast friends, but as their deep connection grows stronger, Rotem starts to wonder: What exactly draws her to this story?

Alex Assan’s debut, Sunhead, is an earnest coming-of-age graphic novel that explores how the stories we love help us understand our friendships, our relationships, and ourselves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063113572
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	464,377
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Alex Assan is a queer comic artist with a BA in illustration from Glyndwr University in the UK. He loves vampire fiction, musical theater, puppetry, and his big dog named Troy. Find him at alexassan.com.

Alex Assan is a queer comic artist with a BA in illustration from Glyndwr University in the UK. He loves vampire fiction, musical theater, puppetry, and his big dog named Troy. Find him at alexassan.com.

Editorial Reviews

Assan’s uniquely affective art style complements a story beautifully devoted to subtextual queerness and the imaginative space fandom provides queer teens. Every glance, bit of dialogue, and scene transition is imbued with meaning, using visual storytelling to its absolute highest potential, and warm cloud-puffs and wordless panels in tones of coral and salmon give Rotem’s imaginings of the books a sense of both whimsy and yearning.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

“A charming LGBTQIA+ coming-of-age story that captures the ordinary angst of teenagers. A recommended purchase for libraries with demand for inclusive graphic novels.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

05/01/2024

Gr 9 Up—A charming LGBTQIA+ coming-of-age story that captures the ordinary angst of teenagers. Rotem, a teenage girl living in Tel Aviv, Israel, is obsessed with the book series "Sunrise." She fantasizes about the vampire love story and spends her free time thinking about the upcoming movie and future books. Her friends and family are baffled by her interest. When she meets a new classmate, Ayala, she is excited to find a fellow reader. Rotem shares her book and the two begin an ongoing literary dialogue as they learn about each other's lives. Caught between her old group of familiar friends and new ones, Rotem struggles to find a place for herself. When her feelings for Ayala begin to evolve, she's confused. She pushes her friend away, uncertain about how to deal with her emotions. Going about her daily life, she struggles to figure out what is going on in her mind and body. As she experiments with her style and dress, Rotem finally begins to embrace her identity. The illustrations are soothing and warm, the dialogue is concise, and the characters are realistic. Rotem's fixation on "Sunrise" is one that avid readers will appreciate. Pages devoted to her imaginative daydreams highlight the joy and escape reading provides. The setting of an Israeli city adds dimension to the story and highlights the universality of teenage gender and sexual identity exploration. VERDICT A recommended purchase for libraries with demand for inclusive graphic novels.—Karin Greenberg

School Library Journal