Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unlikely friendships fuel funny sci-fi graphic novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As TALES O F A SEVENTH-GRADE LIZARD BOY opens, Tommy Tomkins is sick and tired on living on Earth. He has no friends, and his parents won't let him do anything fun, lest he reveal his true identity as a lizard person. But when he becomes friendly with exchange student Dung Tran, from Vietnam, and "weird girl" Scarlett, he begins to question whether he can stop being so isolated.
Is It Any Good?
Everyone feels like an outcast sometimes, and this funny graphic novel celebrates self-acceptance. In Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy, author Jonathan Hill provides off-kilter art that emphasizes Tommy's alienation. The cast contains recognizable types, but each character has a unique spin, especially Dung. Fans of '80s and '90s sci-fi will enjoy the shout-outs to popular movies and TV shows. Knowing and big-hearted, this graphic novel has it all.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy works as a graphic novel. Would the story be as effective as a novel in prose? Why do readers like comics and graphic novels?
Do you or kids you know have first or last names that others call "funny"? If someone changes their name to fit in, should we respect their choice?
What can you do to be more self-accepting?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jonathan Hill
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School ) , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Courage , Gratitude
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Walker Books U.S.
- Publication date : September 27, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 288
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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