Verona Comics
on Goodreads (3,974)
What’s inside...
From the author of Hot Dog Girl comes a fresh and funny queer YA contemporary novel about two teens who fall in love in an indie comic book shop. Jubilee has it all together. She’s an elite cellist, and when she’s not working in her stepmom’s indie comic shop, she’s prepping for the biggest audition of her life. Ridley is barely holding it together. His parents own the biggest comic-store chain in the country, and Ridley can’t stop disappointing them—that is, when they’re even paying attention. They meet one fateful night at a comic convention prom, and the two can’t help falling for each other. Too bad their parents are at each other’s throats every chance they get, making a relationship between them nearly impossible…unless they manage to keep it a secret. Then again, the feud between their families may be the least of their problems. As Ridley’s anxiety spirals, Jubilee tries to help but finds her focus torn between her fast-approaching audition and their intensifying relationship. What if love can’t conquer all? What if each of them needs more than the other can give?
Age
12-15
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jubilee
Ridley
Discussion points
How do Ridley and Jubilee's experiences in the comic book store shape their views on identity and belonging?
What role does family expectation play in both characters' lives, and how do they navigate these pressures?
In what ways do the characters show resilience and courage throughout the story?
How do the different settings in the book, like the comic book conventions and the comic book store, influence the events and the characters?
What can we learn about friendship and trust from Jubilee and Ridley's relationship?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the conversation, share your own thoughts on the themes of identity and family expectations to set a personal example of openness.
Encourage your child to think about how they might feel in Ridley and Jubilee's situations, fostering empathy and deeper understanding.
Discuss the importance of setting and ambiance by asking your child how they perceive the comic book store and conventions, tying it back to the theme of identity.
Highlight moments in the book where characters show courage or make tough decisions, and ask your child how they might handle similar situations.
Use examples from the story to discuss the value of trust and honesty in friendships, asking your child to reflect on their personal experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: In 'Verona Comics', the characters grapple with revealing their true selves and the consequences of secrets. This is demonstrated through the interactions and emotional struggles of the main characters, Ridley and Jubilee, as they navigate their identities and relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of being honest with themselves and others, and understand that trust is foundational in relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding mental health
Explanation: Ridley's experiences in the story highlight issues surrounding anxiety and depression. The book sensitively portrays how these mental health challenges can affect one's life and relationships, emphasizing the need for understanding and support.
Real-World Application: This can help children recognize mental health struggles in themselves or others and encourage them to seek help and be supportive of peers facing similar issues.
Example Lesson: Effects of parental expectations
Explanation: Through Ridley and Jubilee's struggles with their parents' expectations in 'Verona Comics', the book explores how parental pressure can significantly impact a child's emotional well-being.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to communicate their own aspirations and challenges to their parents, fostering a healthier, more supportive family dynamic.
Example Lesson: Empathy and acceptance
Explanation: As characters in 'Verona Comics' encounter diverse backgrounds and differing sexual orientations, the narrative fosters a theme of acceptance and empathy towards all.
Real-World Application: This promotes understanding and acceptance among children, teaching them to embrace diversity in people around them.