Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Absorbing graphic novel about friendship and fitting in.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
ONE YEAR AT ELLSMERE is a graphic novel about Juniper (Jun), the first person to receive a scholarship to the prestigious Ellsmere Academy for Girls. All the other students there are from wealthy families who've been sending their girls there for generations. Fortunately Jun lucked out in the roommate department, and she and Cassie quickly become good friends. But mean-girl Emily has it out for Jun, sensing a competitor for top student and someone who's not going to be intimidated by her. As the school year goes on, Emily ramps all the way up to sabotaging an important essay Jun wrote. And as if that weren't enough to deal with, there are also the stories, and possibly even a sighting, of a mysterious creature who roams the woods just outside the school, and the two young men who went into the woods and never came out.
Is It Any Good?
Middle-schoolers, especially girls, will enjoy this rich update of a school story about friendship, academic competition, and a mysterious creature. The updated illustrations really pop, and now One Year at Ellsmere is all in color. There are lots of positive representations for girls especially, and good examples of strong friendship and how to handle verbal aggression. The story moves along well and keeps the pages turning throughout the school year. The ending brings in a fantasy element that some may feel is out of place, but overall it satisfies while leaving room for more stories from Ellsmere.
Fans of graphic novels and aspiring illustrators will also appreciate the Afterword in which author Faith Erin Hicks documents her creative process and work flow.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how One Year at Ellsmere shows lots of different skin tones and hair and body types. Why is it important to have diversity in books, movies, games, and other types of media?
What makes Jun a good role model? What are her character strengths and weaknesses? Did you like her?
Why are graphic novels so popular? What do we love about them? What are some of your favorites?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Faith Erin Hicks
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : First Second
- Publication date : July 14, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 176
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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