Squad
What’s inside...
Pretty Little Liars meets Teen Wolf in this fast-paced, sharply funny, and patriarchy-smashing graphic novel from author Maggie Tokuda-Hall and artist Lisa Sterle. When the new girl Becca is invited to join her high school’s most popular clique, she discovers that her friends are werewolves who prey on predatory boys. As Becca joins the pack and their actions begin to attract the attention of the police, she finds herself in a moral quandary and questioning her feelings for one of her new friends. With vivid artwork and snappy dialogue, this graphic novel offers timely social commentary and is sure to appeal to fans of Mariko Tamaki and Elana K. Arnold.
Age
14-17
Length
213 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Becca
Ariana
Marley
Amanda
Marley Wilson
Heidi Halparin
Arianna "RiRi" Vandergum
Thatcher Lang
Discussion points
What did you think about Becca's decision to stand up for herself and her friends? How would you handle a similar situation?
How did the characters' differences make their squad stronger? Can you think of times when diversity has been beneficial in your life?
What role does loyalty play in the friendships portrayed in 'Squad'? Why do you think loyalty is important?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story? What do you think caused these changes?
If you could give one piece of advice to any of the characters, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, validating their opinions to foster open communication.
Draw parallels between the challenges faced by the characters and real-life situations your child might encounter, making the discussion more relatable.
Discuss the importance of embracing individual differences and teamwork, encouraging your child to share personal experiences of working in diverse groups.
Ask your child to think about how they might react in similar situations as the characters, promoting empathy and ethical thinking.
Highlight key moments of character development in the story and ask your child how they think the character felt during those times, enhancing emotional intelligence.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and loyalty.
Explanation: In 'Squad', the narrative interweaves the bonds between the characters, emphasizing the strength they gain through their friendships and loyalty to each other.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value their friends, navigate social scenarios with loyalty, and understand that friendships can provide emotional support.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing diversity.
Explanation: The book showcases diverse characters, using their different backgrounds to enrich the narrative and show that diversity brings strength and varied perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children will learn to appreciate and respect people from different backgrounds and cultures, fostering an inclusive environment at school and other social settings.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions.
Explanation: As the plot unfolds, characters in 'Squad' face consequences for their actions, which helps in portraying moral accountability.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in understanding that their actions have ramifications, fostering a sense of responsibility and thoughtfulness in their everyday decisions.
Example Lesson: Courage and standing up for what is right.
Explanation: Through challenging situations in the story, the characters show courage and the importance of standing up for justice and what they believe in.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be assertive and stand up against wrongdoings, whether in school or in other aspects of life, promoting moral integrity.
Example Lesson: Importance of empathy and understanding.
Explanation: Characters in the book often show empathy to others' feelings and circumstances, which is pivotal to the relationships depicted.
Real-World Application: This lesson will help children develop the ability to empathize with others, enhancing emotional intelligence and improving interpersonal relationships.