Short & Skinny

August 15, 2018
An underdog finds confidence and the courage to share his love of filmmaking with his community.As a middle child and junior high school student, Mark battles insecurities about his height and weight. His siblings (younger and older) outperform him in sports. Bullies push him around and call him "Tattoo," an uncomfortable (and likely mystifying) reference to the television series Fantasy Island. Deriving little comfort from his mother's favorite saying, "Big things come in small packages," Mark dreams of bulking up on summer vacation so his crush, Lisa Gorman, will finally notice him. However, when a new movie set in a galaxy far, far away inspires Mark to embark on his own filmmaking project, he discovers another way to build his confidence. In this graphic memoir, Tatulli reflects on his own struggles with body image and the beginnings of his passion for creating art. The comic-book format invites readers to participate in Mark's creative process as he develops his Star Bores spoof. Full spreads show his storyboarding and each of his hacks for designing costumes and props without a budget. An animated art style contributes to the lighthearted liveliness of the conflict. Panels depict the author, his family, and Lisa as white; his classmates are diverse, including pal Kevin, who is black. Overall, Tatulli's story shares a positive message about dedication and overcoming obstacles through imagination and creativity.A story with easy appeal for fans of coming-of-age adventures and Star Wars. (Graphic memoir. 8-12)

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September 3, 2018
In this pop culture–studded graphic memoir from cartoonist Tatulli (Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic), it is 1977 in Willingboro, N.J., and seventh grader Mark has a summer goal: to bulk up with the help of mail-order, get-big-quick supplies he finds advertised in the comics he loves, and gain enough confidence to face his bullies and approach his crush. Then Star Wars hits theaters, and Mark makes a new plan: creating a Star Wars spoof movie. His confidence grows as he directs his energy and artistic skills into film and discovers his interests and talents, an
idea the book develops well. Mark’s winning resilience contributes to making his embarrassing misadventures goofy yet relatable. The dynamic, cartoonish panels, occasionally contrasted with the protagonist’s own distinctly illustrated comics and storyboards, are filled with cinematic movements that drive the gag-filled story at a quick clip, while simple but expressive characters show authentic emotions. The highlight is the last third of the story, which focuses on the funny, genuinely impressive movie production process, with detailed costuming (tin foil and cut-up rugs), filming, and special effects (eggs and exploding firecrackers) sequences that prove pivotal to the protagonist’s artistic and personal growth. Ages 8–12. Agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House.

September 1, 2018

Gr 4-7-Poor Mark. The short, skinny seventh grader is even smaller than his younger sister. He's bullied and hates participating in gym class, but he dreams of becoming a superhero, winning the girl, and getting back at bullies. However, as summer starts, Mark builds confidence and discovers that he's got a lot going for him, such as his friends, his awesome bike, and, of course, his passion for Star Wars. What can a kid with a camera, homemade props, a helpful group of pals, and a great idea accomplish? Quite a bit. Set in the 1970s, this account of comic strip artist Tatulli's awkward youth will resonate with readers. The secondary characters are slightly one-dimensional, but this is Mark's story, and his voice rings true. The clean, straightforward drawings and smooth flow of the panels make this a strong choice. VERDICT Purchase where graphic memoirs circulate well.-Mariela Siegert, Westfield Middle School, Bloomingdale, IL

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2018
Grades 4-7 With three Emmy Awards and two syndicated comic strips to his credit, Tatulli offers this middle-school graphic memoir focusing on boys' obsessions and outlook. Seventh-grade Mark is all the title suggests and thus highly subject to bullying, girl-shyness, and body awkwardness. His tale is given verisimilitude by steeping it in the pop culture of 1977, from the death of Elvis to Farah Fawcett posters. Most central, though, is a hallowed institution current readers will be intimately familiar with: the first big-screen Star Wars. The movie's explosive appearance inspires Mark to face his tormentors and, with the help of friends and family, make his own amateur movie and embark on a career of the imagination. Tatulli compellingly depicts how an object of pop culture can galvanize genuine emotions. He uses his art, with its cartoonishly endearing figures and accurate attention to details, to ground emotion in convincing reality. A particularly poignant where are they now section allows the feelings to resonate even more deeply. A natural choice for fans of Raina Telgemeier or Jeffrey Brown's Jedi Academy series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)