A Tremendous Shout Out to @TonyWeaverJr and the Graphic Novel WEIRDO. Wonderful Reading Experience & Story

Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing a teacher interview the author, Tony Weaver, Jr., to celebrate his graphic novel Weirdo. I became aware of the book when his publisher sent me an ARC, and I knew we needed him on The Write Time. The episode will debut later this Fall, more than likely closer to our annual gathering at the National Council of Teachers of English.

The story shares a middle-school experience of feeling outside the norm of his classmates, his schools, and the world around him. Based partly on experiences from his own life, it takes on bullying, the mental breakdown it can often cause, attempted suicide, and then absolute redemption. It is a book that resonates, and will continue to resonate, with any reader who walks to the beat of a different flautist and who has no problem stopping to smell the daffodils (that is, it's okay to be odd, peculiar, eccentric, and weird). Weirdo are usually the cool ones once you get to know them.

Transferring to a new school, Tony (the animated version) finds his way with other thinkers: artists, writers, thespians, and activists. He connects, too, with athletes who (in the mission of Lebron James) are also more than just an athlete. Yes & Cin Wibowo are phenomenal illustrators and the pacing of the story is one that classroom teachers will want for their rooms, especially to share with the vast variety of young people that exist in every classroom. 

I especially loved the epilogue and its advice for fellow kids like Tony: Be who you are, Envision what you can be, Even as darkness hits - there's always someone in your corner, People will always show up for you, and Love will find its way.

I'm thrilled to know Tony Weaver, Jr. will be highlighted and featured at this years NCTE convention and I hope his success continues as his quest (and red cape) move forward into more and more spaces. 

This was a tremendous read and I'm very thankful for his publishing team for bringing it to my attention, so it could/can be shared with the National Writing Project network.