Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen influencer goes overboard in affecting graphic novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As PICTURE DAY opens, 11-year-old Viv Sullivan is getting excited about being a trendsetter in her middle school. She wows her classmates by suddenly cutting off her boring braids as an act of rebellion during picture day. She has something even bigger planned as a follow-up, but her best friends, Al and Milo, are more cautious, and they're afraid Viv is biting off more than she can chew. When things don't go as hoped, can Viv make things right with her friends?
Is It Any Good?
No one should yuck someone else's yum, but as this graphic novel shows, friends have to respect one another's boundaries. In Picture Day, Sarah Sax captures the chaos of a day that many students find anxiety-inducing. Viv is an ambitious yet vulnerable main character, someone with big dreams and expectations that need a reality check sometimes. It's a good thing she has friends like Milo and Al to support her and help her face reality. With lively and inviting art, Picture Day isn't perfect (it's a little long), but it's close enough.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Picture Day portrays life in middle school. How do the characters navigate its social world? What problems do they encounter, and how do they address these problems?
How has social media changed school experiences and friendships? How much time do you spend on your devices each day? Do you think it's too much or too little?
Are you interested in all of the activities your friends like? How do you balance your interests?
In what ways do Viv and her friends model teamwork, perseverance, and communication?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Sarah Sax
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Graphic
- Publication date : June 27, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 285
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 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
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate