Center for Children's Literature Blog

Children’s Book Committee – September 2024 Pick

Timid: A Graphic Novel
Author: Jonathan Todd

A talented cartoonist discovers his path at a new, mostly White middle school, despite his sister’s friendship advice and his father’s insistence that he toughen up. Semi-autobiographical. Vibrant, comic-style illustrations.

“I liked that it was a graphic novel. It was about somebody who likes to draw and I like to draw too. It was special because it was told about a boy that some people were mean to, but through his drawings he was able to make friends and he got through it very well.

The plot and the character helped me enjoy the story because he was a Black kid in a mostly White school and he did something to make himself feel more comfortable. He changed from the beginning of the book to the end and because of his drawings he made friends.”

–Tyra, age 9, Dobbs Ferry, NY.

Young people who are interested in reviewing are invited to do so as we welcome the individual perspective of our age appropriate readers. If you are interested in being a reviewer, contact youngreviewers@bankstreet.edu

See our Monthly Picks Archive 2012–2018, and our Monthly Picks 2019–present.