Real Life Reporter

Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland

I know how it's supposed to work in seventh grade:
You are who the other kids say you are.
But I'm not OK with that.
​I'll say who I am.

Established author Cynthia L. Copeland’s first graphic novel sparkles with wit and warmth.

​Twelve-year -old Cindy navigates a tightrope of middle school complexities: shifting alliances among the microcosm of students, moving from platonic relationships to the first stirrings of romantic interest, and a growing awareness of the world beyond junior high school.

Divided into the three seasons of the school year, Cub introduces fresh-faced and free-wheeling Cindy entering seventh-grade. An individualist, she's not part of the vicious circle who take pleasure in taunting other students. She copes by appearing "dead," that is invisible and unresponsive to personal attacks.

When her former best friend Katie decides to join the mean students clique, Cindy discovers other interests and makes new friends. Her English teacher notes that she has potential as a journalist and arranges ​an internship  with the local newspaper. Leslie, an up-and-coming investigative reporter, takes Cindy under her wing. She invites Cin to accompany her on assignments, teaches her interviewing techniques, constructively edits early attempts at investigative journalism, and encourages Cin to develop photography skills.

By spring Cindy has a contemporary hairstyle, a wider circle of friends, an awareness of the world outside the confines of her school, and increased self confidence. She finally admits to Leslie that she doesn't like tea, gently informs her mother that she wants to abandon the nightly ritual of curling her hair in rags, and summons the courage to advertise her talents as an artist for a summer job. Her persistence is recognized by her father. He praises her achievements and eventually offers to help her create a dark room.

Her success spills over into the lives of others. Her parents learn to appreciate and encourage her interest in journalism and accept her desire to assert herself. Her newly found friends support her. Even Katie asks to reestablish their friendship. Cindy wisely makes room for Katie, while maintaining her other friends and interests. Cindy learns that some of her preconceived ideas about people may not be true. She learns to rethink some of the labels she has placed on others.

Copeland frames her memoir within the larger context of world events: the Watergate break-in and subsequent resignation of Nixon, protecting the environment, the Vietnam War, and a push to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Interestingly the Issues of the early 1970’s continue to be relevant in 2020.

The narrative highlights the juxtaposition between life of a seventh-grader and larger issues on the world stage. One telling scene: after Cindy receives a camera as a gift, she studies and applies herself to learning photojournalism. When a friend makes an offhand request "Take a picture of me!" she responds "No way, you goofball. I'm taking photos for the newspaper."

Page and panel design are well-suited to subject matter. Cindy's typewritten reports fill an entire page and include Leslie's editorial markings. Images of typed text are background in several important scenes, giving prominence to Cin's evolving identity as a journalist. Significant events appear as headline banners. The scene in the newsroom on receiving accounts the Vietnam War's end spans the two-page spread with reporters furiously scrambling to report the news-breaking event.
​Small details highlight the 1970's era: candy buttons attached to paper strips, flared jeans, troll figure collections, memories shown as a scattering of Polaroid snapshots. ​
​Faces are rendered with simple eyes and noses. It's the expressive eyebrows and mouths, especially a mouth full of braces which poignantly reveal emotion.

Pitch perfect story of middle grade, Cub is a worthy and welcome addition to the graphic novel memoir canon that includes Guts, Smile, Roller Girl, Real Friends, and All’s Faire in Middle School. With braces flashing, Cindy careens through the town. Occasionally she falls down, at times doubts herself, but often succeeds spectacularly.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: January 7, 2020 Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers ISBN: 978-1616209933