Weirdo

by Tony Weaver Jr., Jes Wibowo (Illustrator), Cin Wibowo (Illustrator)

Overview

"A touching story of belonging." — Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"Honest, hopeful.." —Kirkus, starred review

A Kirkus Best Book of the Year

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games, and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he’s a weirdo. Bullied by his peers, Tony struggles with the hurt of not being accepted and tries to conform to other people's expectations. After a traumatic event shakes him to his core, he embarks on a journey of self love that will require him to become the hero of his own story.

From rising star Tony Weaver, Jr., Weirdo is a triumphant and comedic story for any kid who's ever felt awkward, left out, or like they don't belong—perfect for fans of Jerry Craft's New Kid.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250401564
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	09/17/2024
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	465 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Tony is a storyteller who uses his passion for comics and anime to help people unlock their inner hero. With his TikTok videos and social impact organization Weird Enough Productions, he uses diverse stories to uplift young people. He made history as the first comic writer ever selected for Forbes 30 Under 30. His work has attracted coverage from CNN, NBC, HuffPost, and The Mary Sue, and landed him honors from organizations such as Microsoft, Gucci, and Coca-Cola. Funko profiled him on the side of a Pop figure box, and he won the AdColor Influencer of The Year award.

Jes and Cin Wibowo are Chinese Indonesian twins born in Jakarta. As Third Culture Kids, they spent their early childhood years moving back and forth between the US and Indonesia. The two both graduated with a BFA and eventually an MFA in Sequential Arts from SCAD. They're currently based in Jakarta, reading a mix of superhero comics, the occasional manga, and lots of graphic novels.

Jes and Cin Wibowo are Chinese Indonesian twins born in Jakarta. As Third Culture Kids, they spent their early childhood years moving back and forth between the US and Indonesia. The two both graduated with a BFA and eventually an MFA in Sequential Arts from SCAD. They're currently based in Jakarta, reading a mix of superhero comics, the occasional manga, and lots of graphic novels.

Editorial Reviews

A Kirkus Best Book of the Year

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year

A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year

A People Magazine Best Book of the Year

A Best Graphic Novels for Children (BGNC) Reading List Nominee

Nominated for an Eisner Award (Best Publication for Kids)

A pitch-perfect tale of friendship and fantastical foes." —Kirkus, starred review

"A touching story of belonging, in which Weaver realistically depicts the many small steps required to becoming one’s own hero." — Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"Graphic novel fans are going to devour Eowulf’s first solo adventure, and likely ask for seconds." —School Library Journal

"The graphic novel format is perfect for this quick-moving action plot with vivid, garish hues, creatively frightening monsters...and chaotic battle scenes all adding to the excitement." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)

"I've been singing the praises of Tony Weaver Jr. for years, and here, I'm proud to say, he's given me one more reason to do so. Weirdo is more than a graphic novel about bullying or misfits. It's a blinding light of a tale about a boy who fights to become himself. About an oddball who finds wonder in his own weirdness. It's a reminder that we all have a place. And people. And some of us have a particular point of view on the world. I'm so happy Tony is using his to bring such palpable joy, love, and imagination to it." —Jason Reynolds, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways

"Tony’s Heartfelt story reminds us Why Embracing Individuality Radically Defies Obstacles." —Jerry Craft, 2020 Newbery and Coretta Scott King Book Award winner for New Kid

"Weirdo empowers readers to celebrate their own identities and offers hope to find the crew that will love you for all of your magnificent quirks!" —Jarrett J. Krosoczka, National Book Award finalist for Hey, Kiddo

"Weirdo is a powerful story filled with empathy about the effects of bullying and how we can attempt to cope with it." —Dan Santat, 2023 National Book Award Winner for A First Time for Everything

From the Publisher

★ 2024-07-04
After enduring relentless bullying, a boy learns how to embrace his true self with the support of family and fellow blerds.

Debut author Weaver got used to being the new kid; in this graphic memoir, he shows how he relied on his love of comics, anime, and video games to navigate challenges. But entering seventh grade at an elite pressure cooker of a school was different—those passions made Tony a target of vicious bullying; feeling trapped, he attempted to die by suicide. Soon after, he reluctantly started therapy and entered a new school, this time determined not to stand out. But Tony found the Literature Club, bonded with other delightfully nerdy Black students, and rekindled his love of writing, gradually realizing that being unapologetically himself was exactly what heshould do. Tony’s journey to joy and self-love is funny, relatable, and empowering. His story is rendered in a simple yet dynamic art style that skillfully uses different colors plus video game and comic motifs to reflect his emotional state and growth. The artwork grounds the otherwise abstract journey of self-discovery, delivering a nuanced depiction of healing from fear and a reminder that we can all become the hero. Fans of Jerry Craft and Jarrett Krosoczka will appreciate this honest, hopeful portrayal of recovery from even the darkest places. Readers will also enjoy spotting the many anime and gaming references.

A powerful, poignant reminder that you are always worth fighting for. (author’s note)(Graphic memoir. 10-16)

Kirkus Reviews