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Girlmode: A Graphic Novel
The last thing Phoebe Zito wants is to be noticed. The newest kid at Sally Ride High School, newly arrived in Los Angeles, and newly transitioned, she's just trying to blend in while she figures out exactly who she is. But with her mom checked out, her dad still adjusting to having a daughter, and no guidebook on how to be a girl, that isn't going to be easy.
Enter Mackenzie Ishikawa. She’s the girl all girls want to be and all boys want to be with—and, Mackenzie has decided, Phoebe's new best friend. Mackenzie knows what it takes to survive and thrive as a girl in high school, most of all that no matter who Phoebe wants to be, or who she wants to date, she's going to need someone having her back.
Phoebe soon realizes what Mackenzie knows too well: Being true to yourself is going to mean breaking some hearts. But as Phoebe discovers what kind of girl she is—and what kind of girl everyone around her thinks she's supposed to be—she worries one of those hearts will be her own.
Enter Mackenzie Ishikawa. She’s the girl all girls want to be and all boys want to be with—and, Mackenzie has decided, Phoebe's new best friend. Mackenzie knows what it takes to survive and thrive as a girl in high school, most of all that no matter who Phoebe wants to be, or who she wants to date, she's going to need someone having her back.
Phoebe soon realizes what Mackenzie knows too well: Being true to yourself is going to mean breaking some hearts. But as Phoebe discovers what kind of girl she is—and what kind of girl everyone around her thinks she's supposed to be—she worries one of those hearts will be her own.
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2024
774 people are currently reading
4706 people want to read
About the author
Magdalene Visaggio
197 books176 followersMagdalene Visaggio is a comics writer and essayist. She's the writer and creator of the GLAAD and Eisner-nominated series Kim & Kim, as well as Eternity Girl at DC Comics. She currently resides in Manhattan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
September 19, 2024
I usually really enjoy reading queer comic arcs, but I felt very questionable about the way this story was represented.
To preface, I am a lesbian and some of these things rubbed me the wrong way:
Lines like:
“You have really gorgeous hair, too. It’s so thick! I bet the right stylist could work miracles.”
“Oh, that’s not really necessary…”
“Of course it is! Unless you’re a dyke. You a dyke?”
Not only is an expressed straight character using a slur, but what is that insinuating?
But that isn’t the only time that slur is used.
They have a drawn girl in what looks like the most basic outfit ever labeled as dyke and a girl dressed up with makeup as slut beside it. These are the negative things men will call them—is suggested. If you’re trying to look pretty you’re a slut and if you’re not you’re a dyke. (Thats basically a line) okay.. idk how to feel about that. I’m not saying some men don’t think a similar way, but why act like them and use a slur? The word lesbian is used in this story on the next page once, so why weren’t we using it all along?
On the next page dyke is used not once, not twice, not even thrice, but FOUR times between the two girls. In this line specifically, why the fuck could you not just use the word lesbian. “Bitches can be dykes and vice versa, but they also figure dykes just haven’t screwed the right guy.” Why are we so casually using slurs. Like there’s quite literally no reason to. Neither of these character even like women…why is it treated like normal conversation…
And again-this is partially the character’s personality, but it’s never corrected. “Now, let’s take care of this mess.” This is her referring to the mcs curly hair. Could you say in that moment she meant it being tangled? Yes. However, because of that earlier comment and the fact they straighten it, it makes you feel strange about the way curly hair is being viewed. After the mc stops hanging out with this character, she starts letting her hair stay curly. But afterwards they become friends again and she never mentions anything and they never treat the slurs used as if it were problematic, they only mention the time when she was verbally aggressive (in a transphobic way) towards the mc. So is this friend wrong for the other behavior or not? They don’t say.
All in all, I really loved the art style, but being slapped in the face by a slur used against people like me so quickly with no criticism, then continually used in the story, ruined it for me. It tainted the whole thing. I’m not trans, so I can’t say much about how that representation is, but I think if the author knows enough to write one queer character, then they should also know that that word is unkind and not for these characters to use without thought.
I hate to rate this story one star, because I believe queer stories should be told and should be valued. If this felt important to someone else I don’t want to demean their opinion, only share my own.
To preface, I am a lesbian and some of these things rubbed me the wrong way:
Lines like:
“You have really gorgeous hair, too. It’s so thick! I bet the right stylist could work miracles.”
“Oh, that’s not really necessary…”
“Of course it is! Unless you’re a dyke. You a dyke?”
Not only is an expressed straight character using a slur, but what is that insinuating?
But that isn’t the only time that slur is used.
They have a drawn girl in what looks like the most basic outfit ever labeled as dyke and a girl dressed up with makeup as slut beside it. These are the negative things men will call them—is suggested. If you’re trying to look pretty you’re a slut and if you’re not you’re a dyke. (Thats basically a line) okay.. idk how to feel about that. I’m not saying some men don’t think a similar way, but why act like them and use a slur? The word lesbian is used in this story on the next page once, so why weren’t we using it all along?
On the next page dyke is used not once, not twice, not even thrice, but FOUR times between the two girls. In this line specifically, why the fuck could you not just use the word lesbian. “Bitches can be dykes and vice versa, but they also figure dykes just haven’t screwed the right guy.” Why are we so casually using slurs. Like there’s quite literally no reason to. Neither of these character even like women…why is it treated like normal conversation…
And again-this is partially the character’s personality, but it’s never corrected. “Now, let’s take care of this mess.” This is her referring to the mcs curly hair. Could you say in that moment she meant it being tangled? Yes. However, because of that earlier comment and the fact they straighten it, it makes you feel strange about the way curly hair is being viewed. After the mc stops hanging out with this character, she starts letting her hair stay curly. But afterwards they become friends again and she never mentions anything and they never treat the slurs used as if it were problematic, they only mention the time when she was verbally aggressive (in a transphobic way) towards the mc. So is this friend wrong for the other behavior or not? They don’t say.
All in all, I really loved the art style, but being slapped in the face by a slur used against people like me so quickly with no criticism, then continually used in the story, ruined it for me. It tainted the whole thing. I’m not trans, so I can’t say much about how that representation is, but I think if the author knows enough to write one queer character, then they should also know that that word is unkind and not for these characters to use without thought.
I hate to rate this story one star, because I believe queer stories should be told and should be valued. If this felt important to someone else I don’t want to demean their opinion, only share my own.
November 3, 2024
Content warnings: transphobia, lesbophobia (including several counts of the d-slur being used, homophobia, domestic abuse/violence, sexual assault, absent parent, alcohol consumption, drug usage (weed), manipulation, slut shaming, and that's all I can remember right now.
Rep: Phoebe (MC) is a trans girl. Side BIPOC characters. Side queer character.
Since I was DMed by an author about a review I had written (different book) that left me feeling really fucking icky, this is me stating: if you are the author of this book, and you are reading this - this review is not for you. This review is for other readers only.
Rep: Phoebe (MC) is a trans girl. Side BIPOC characters. Side queer character.
Since I was DMed by an author about a review I had written (different book) that left me feeling really fucking icky, this is me stating: if you are the author of this book, and you are reading this - this review is not for you. This review is for other readers only.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2025
I did enjoy parts of this and it was pretty close to being good, but the random slurs thrown in for no reason and the character getting absolutely no consequences for outing his gf as trans and a movie star’s daughter and LITERALLY SLAPPING HER deserves one star. Like, it ended on an okay note but holy shit, he literally assaulted her and no one did anything. How did this get printed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2025
I'd say 2.5 or 2.75. The art style was rly nice and I liked the relationship between Phoebe and her dad. And it was nice seeing Mackenzie's lil arc.
Some things made me uncomfortable, and I don't think it was in a "it's supposed to make you uncomfortable" sorta way. Like Mackenzie telling Phoebe she (Mackenzie) was more of a girl than her. Fucking YIKES. I'm not trans, so I can't speak on this too much, but I feel like that was too far for her to be forgiven in the end. And maybe don't have straight characters drop the d-word, ty
Some things made me uncomfortable, and I don't think it was in a "it's supposed to make you uncomfortable" sorta way. Like Mackenzie telling Phoebe she (Mackenzie) was more of a girl than her. Fucking YIKES. I'm not trans, so I can't speak on this too much, but I feel like that was too far for her to be forgiven in the end. And maybe don't have straight characters drop the d-word, ty
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2024
*3.5/5*
Thanks to Magdalene Visaggio, Paulina Ganucheau, HarperaCollins, and NetGalley for the eARC!
Overall, I enjoyed this contemporary story of a trans girl figuring out what being a girl means, specifically what it means for her. I liked that the message gave us a not every girl needs to be or is going to be the same kind of girl/have the same interests vibe. And I liked the growth that the chracaters, especially Mackenzie, went through. I appreciated that she grew to someone who didn't care what guys thought (and into a musical theater person! We love to see it lol). I try not to judge characters on who they are at the beginning or middle of a story, but at the end and I really loved who she and Phoebe grew into at the end. AND THE ART! I'm a big fan of Paulina Ganucheau so of course the art of lovely and I have no complaints in that department at all!!
There were, though, some parts I struggled with. I know why Mackenzie had the attitude towards guys that she did for most of the story, but as someone on the other side of the trans journey, someone who is trans masc, I really struggled with the language that reduced guys to idiots who just wanted to get into girls' pants. Not to mention, despite the main character being trans, there was mention of nonbinary people or how they fit into this worldview at all. There was also multiple instances of an ostensibly straight character using the d-slur, and, listen, I'm queer, I'm not trying to police the author's reclamation of words, but I do worry about straight teens reading this book and thinking it would then be okay for them to use this kind of language. Despite the book starring a trans MC and having a queer side character, the whole thing felt very heteronormative and gender binary heavy, if that makes sense.
Overall, this was a fun book, it had a good message, and I think it will be great for teen audiences, but I was left a little underwhelmed!
Thanks to Magdalene Visaggio, Paulina Ganucheau, HarperaCollins, and NetGalley for the eARC!
Overall, I enjoyed this contemporary story of a trans girl figuring out what being a girl means, specifically what it means for her. I liked that the message gave us a not every girl needs to be or is going to be the same kind of girl/have the same interests vibe. And I liked the growth that the chracaters, especially Mackenzie, went through. I appreciated that she grew to someone who didn't care what guys thought (and into a musical theater person! We love to see it lol). I try not to judge characters on who they are at the beginning or middle of a story, but at the end and I really loved who she and Phoebe grew into at the end. AND THE ART! I'm a big fan of Paulina Ganucheau so of course the art of lovely and I have no complaints in that department at all!!
There were, though, some parts I struggled with. I know why Mackenzie had the attitude towards guys that she did for most of the story, but as someone on the other side of the trans journey, someone who is trans masc, I really struggled with the language that reduced guys to idiots who just wanted to get into girls' pants. Not to mention, despite the main character being trans, there was mention of nonbinary people or how they fit into this worldview at all. There was also multiple instances of an ostensibly straight character using the d-slur, and, listen, I'm queer, I'm not trying to police the author's reclamation of words, but I do worry about straight teens reading this book and thinking it would then be okay for them to use this kind of language. Despite the book starring a trans MC and having a queer side character, the whole thing felt very heteronormative and gender binary heavy, if that makes sense.
Overall, this was a fun book, it had a good message, and I think it will be great for teen audiences, but I was left a little underwhelmed!
November 16, 2024
I don't know how to feel about this.
First of all, the art is gorgeous — absolutely no notes there. It beautifully captured the brightness of California and teenage girlhood alike.
However, parts of this felt a bit icky. I won't speak on how the trans rep was delivered here, as I'm not trans at all. I'm not sure I 100% liked how it was approached or delivered but I think that likely speaks to my discomfort on how womanhood in general was approached here as well as how the transphobia that occurs here is just swept over fairly quickly.
Of course I understood the point and the narrative trajectory: Mackenzie realising she was molding Phoebe into the patriarchial ideal of a woman however, it felt indelicately delivered to me. Besides the latent misogyny (which admittedly was somewhat dismantled by the main characters) I really really disliked the portyal of abusive relationships/friendships here. It was smoothed over way too quickly, and even at the end, treated with comedic effect.
Don't get me started on the use of dyke. Sure, as a sapphic author you can reclaim the slur but maybe don't use it in a derogatory way?? Multiple times??? And leave it unaddresed???
It wasn't all bad — toxic relationship aside, I grew to like the friendship between Phoebe and Mac. I liked that Macca got her own growth arc and that we got to see the process of that. Brief as it was, Phoebe and her dad's relationship was lovely.
I kinda just felt constantly uncomfy reading this which didn't bode for the best experience. Considering my various qualms (some unsaid) I wouldn't readily reccommend this to younger readers who are the target demo!! Some of the topics covered here just felt irresponsibly done, in my opinion.
First of all, the art is gorgeous — absolutely no notes there. It beautifully captured the brightness of California and teenage girlhood alike.
However, parts of this felt a bit icky. I won't speak on how the trans rep was delivered here, as I'm not trans at all. I'm not sure I 100% liked how it was approached or delivered but I think that likely speaks to my discomfort on how womanhood in general was approached here as well as how the transphobia that occurs here is just swept over fairly quickly.
Of course I understood the point and the narrative trajectory: Mackenzie realising she was molding Phoebe into the patriarchial ideal of a woman however, it felt indelicately delivered to me. Besides the latent misogyny (which admittedly was somewhat dismantled by the main characters) I really really disliked the portyal of abusive relationships/friendships here. It was smoothed over way too quickly, and even at the end, treated with comedic effect.
Don't get me started on the use of dyke. Sure, as a sapphic author you can reclaim the slur but maybe don't use it in a derogatory way?? Multiple times??? And leave it unaddresed???
It wasn't all bad — toxic relationship aside, I grew to like the friendship between Phoebe and Mac. I liked that Macca got her own growth arc and that we got to see the process of that. Brief as it was, Phoebe and her dad's relationship was lovely.
I kinda just felt constantly uncomfy reading this which didn't bode for the best experience. Considering my various qualms (some unsaid) I wouldn't readily reccommend this to younger readers who are the target demo!! Some of the topics covered here just felt irresponsibly done, in my opinion.
July 30, 2024
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to love this and I probably would have if all the secondary characters hadn't been so awful.
Our MC keeps making weird and stupid decisions after stupid decisions while being guided by terrible people. Some who redeem themselves in part by the end but I still couldn't understand what had even happened. The other secondary characters are pretty much non-existent and don't bring much to the story except the surfer and the little sister. But even them, who were my favorites of the whole book weren't very layered.
I, honestly, just didn't get into the story which is a shame cause I love a trans girl story and I wish we had more.
I wanted to love this and I probably would have if all the secondary characters hadn't been so awful.
Our MC keeps making weird and stupid decisions after stupid decisions while being guided by terrible people. Some who redeem themselves in part by the end but I still couldn't understand what had even happened. The other secondary characters are pretty much non-existent and don't bring much to the story except the surfer and the little sister. But even them, who were my favorites of the whole book weren't very layered.
I, honestly, just didn't get into the story which is a shame cause I love a trans girl story and I wish we had more.
Read
November 4, 2024I fear this one has lost me. I only made it 50 pages but in those 50 pages, there was only 1 interaction that I enjoyed and it was between the MC and her dad. Every other character and situation has been awful and the use of "dyke" as a slur really set me over the edge. I understand the author is queer but that doesn't mean that cis straight characters can or should use that term at all, and especially not in a derogatory manner with no pushback.
I wanted to give this a chance because I'm here for more trans girl stories but it just didn't work for me.
I wanted to give this a chance because I'm here for more trans girl stories but it just didn't work for me.
October 28, 2024
Girlmode is a solid YA contemporary, but I was kind of hoping for more overall especially from some of the secondary characters. I did appreciate the message that the main character is trying to figure out what being a girl means to her. I also liked the way it ended. Then again, I wish the surfing storyline was the main plotline.
May 19, 2025
No man can be a wave, Phoebe.
3.5 stars. This was a really well-drawn, really insightful coming of age comic about a trans girl being pulled in a bunch of different directions, while trying to figure out how to be herself. It's sometimes a little frustrating, and I think it faltered in a few key places. But it's overall really well-meaning, and I loved the messages about identity and first relationships and friendship.
Phoebe moves to a new town and a new school to live with her dad after coming out as trans. She wants to adjust to life and fit in, but soon finds herself being pulled in several different directions. Mackenzie, her popular new best friend, wants to teach her all about girlhood, the things you need to do to survive, how to handle boys. Ben, the first friend she made who's into a lot of her own nerdier hobbies, is supportive and enthusiastic, but this seems to come with strings. Ethan is one of her first crushes, a very sweet guy, but seems to want her to conform to a very particular type of girlhood. I do have to give this props for how well it was drafted and storyboarded. I really liked how certain things happening at school would mirror certain things happening in Phoebe's life. Like the English teacher's lectures on Jane Eyre and identity and womanhood. Or, later in the book, the Physics teacher's lecture about movement and things changing depending on how you see it. And the way the events of Little Shop of Horrors helps Mackenzie come to some realisations. (I've never seen that movie? show? but I enjoyed the inclusion, and I was really glad that Phoebe didn't have to be the one to do all of Mackenzie's teaching for her. I loved Leah as a character.) Phoebe's father was great, and there was a great exploration of a tough topic: an absentee mother. It's very frustrating watching Phoebe being jerked around in different ways by so many different people, but it's purposeful, and there are lessons to be learnt in the end. Helps that it's balanced out by a couple characters who have nothing but the best intentions for her: her father and Jessica. I absolutely adored the surfing subplot.
There are a few fucked up things that happen that are jarring in the moment, but the book circles back on them in satisfying ways. Sometimes. Like, the obviously incel dudebro who seems like he's getting rewarded for being an incel? No, he shows his true colours (in a horrendous way; I wanted to kill him) and gets rejected in the end. The guy who wants to control how Phoebe presents her girlhood? No, he gets put in his place. Mackenzie and Phoebe start getting catty and slut-shamey about another girl whose only crime was getting with Phoebe's ex, and said girl shows up to confront Phoebe. Mackenzie says something really hurtful and transphobic, and has do a lot of learning and repenting.
So those things were good, but it also wasn't enough? Like, I'm glad that friendship was at the heart of this graphic novel, and I'm glad Mackenzie and Phoebe came to an understanding, but Mackenzie got forgiven way too easily imo. She needed to do more friend-grovelling!! Also the girl that Phoebe and Mackenzie slut-shamed? I wish we'd seen an actual conversation about that (and maybe, you know, Phoebe could have apologised for her words and for pushing her into a pool??). When Mackenzie is educating Phoebe about how unfair boys can be, and all the double standards they have for women, they both kept throwing around the word 'dyke' in a way that was super jarring to see. Especially Mackenzie's first, almost accusatory 'are you a dyke??' when talking about how Phoebe was dressed. I was waiting to come back around on this (like, maybe Phoebe could say it in front of Jess, and Jess could be like 'lol ease up on the slurs straight girl') but we never did. Kinda disappointing.
But I do think this was well-intentioned and sweet, and it succeeded in its intent in more ways than it failed. I had a good time with this! The art was really lovely. I would probably want to make a few changes to the writing to make this a perfect book (especially for its intended audience) but I think it was great overall.
Content warnings:
September 8, 2025
3.5, rounded up because this book does not deserve all the one-stars it’s getting. I swear, I do not have the brain cells for Slur Discourse right now.
I do feel like some of the side characters could have been more complexly drawn, and I wish we’d gotten to see some actual lesbians on the page. But I’m willing to forgive a lot because Visaggio and Ganucheau have really nailed the weird internalized sexism that high school girls inflict on their peers without meaning to. Lots of the characters are frustrating because, well, that’s high school. Everyone’s running on too many hormones and not enough sleep.
I do feel like some of the side characters could have been more complexly drawn, and I wish we’d gotten to see some actual lesbians on the page. But I’m willing to forgive a lot because Visaggio and Ganucheau have really nailed the weird internalized sexism that high school girls inflict on their peers without meaning to. Lots of the characters are frustrating because, well, that’s high school. Everyone’s running on too many hormones and not enough sleep.
June 4, 2025
coming of age story about a trans girl phoebe starting over at a new school. in a style very a la clueless, she gets immediately taken in by the resident Cool Girl mackenzie to get a classic teen montage makeover.
it handles the difficulties of friendship and femininity under the standards of patriarchy with the additional layers and complications of trans identity. i thought it explored some more subtle manifestations of transphobia and fetishization/exploitation in ways we don't often see in media when it's focused on the more severe end of the spectrum.
i love her surfing journey and prefer that it doesn't end with her with some prince charming. work on urself first girl <3
it handles the difficulties of friendship and femininity under the standards of patriarchy with the additional layers and complications of trans identity. i thought it explored some more subtle manifestations of transphobia and fetishization/exploitation in ways we don't often see in media when it's focused on the more severe end of the spectrum.
i love her surfing journey and prefer that it doesn't end with her with some prince charming. work on urself first girl <3
April 22, 2025
Oh man, it feels so good to read a book, have bad feelings about it, and find validation among other GR reviewers. So glad to know I wasn't the only one who was rubbed the wrong way here!
This is a coming-of-age story for Phoebe, a newly transitioned high school student who doesn't quite know "how to be a girl." She's taken under the wing of Mackenzie, a popular girl who's determined to guide Phoebe through this new world. But amid Mackenzie's "help" and a confusing love triangle, Phoebe must figure out what she wants from her girlhood without taking anyone else into account.
Well, that's what the book should've been about, but... ugh.
The blunt truth of it is that EVERYONE in this book is kind of an asshole. They're all different degrees of toxic, but the scale slides with abandon! Phoebe's dad and Jessica the surfer were the only people who seemed to genuinely care about Phoebe as she was!
Ugh ugh ugh, let's do this one by one.
1. Mackenzie
First off, we have Mackenzie. She toes the line between "I want to help you become more confident!" and "I want you to become what I think a girl should be." There are times when she acts like a genuinely good friend, but she has these underlying mean-girl characteristics that rear their head far too often: she limits Phoebe's wardrobe and doesn't take Phoebe's input, she's pushy to the point of confrontation, she looks down on Phoebe for dating a nerd because "she can do better," and that's not even getting to the real problematic stuff!
Other reviewers have taken issue (rightfully so!) with Mackenzie's casual use of "dyke" when Mackenzie herself isn't queer. Why can't she just say "do you like girls?" instead of "are you a dyke?" That felt... weird. And then one of Mackenzie's friends says Phoebe shouldn't play D&D because she doesn't want to look "masc." Yikes, oh no, maybe we should've acknowledged that at one point?
Almost every single character in this book has some form of underlying transphobia, with Mackenzie as no exception. When she and Phoebe get in a fight, Mackenzie says "Why do you even want to be a girl?" and a variation of "You'll never have a period!" which is... wild. Geez, what the hell was going on with this book? I'm not even halfway through this review!
One of the big things Mackenzie tries to teach Phoebe in her "being a girl" lectures is how to deal with boys. Okay, fine and valid. They're both straight girls who like guys, so this makes sense. And... then we descend into full-blown sexism. It's the Barbie movie talking points of "all guys are selfish jerks who want to get into your pants; fake interest in them and they'll like you." Such a gross view of guys in the year of our lord 2024, especially in what's supposed to be a trans-positive book! You don't get how those viewpoints will hurt ALL guys, trans guys included??
I liked Mackenzie's arc in the second act where she learns the viewpoints of different kinds of girls, but this arc never acknowledged the biggest flaw in her whole personality: she doesn't want to help Phoebe be a girl, she wants Phoebe to be a specific KIND of girl.
You're a girl whether or not you wear makeup or do your hair. You're a girl whether or not you have a boyfriend, watch Star Wars, or wear dresses. And yet this is a lesson Mackenzie never seems to acknowledge. If she ended the book going to an old movie with Mackenzie or buying her different clothes, I'd applaud her growth. As it is, the book is basically on Mackenzie's side with her flawed and harmful logic.
2. The two love interests
I was going to give these guys separate entries, but who has time for that?
In the beginning of the book, Phoebe is crushing on Ben, the nerdy boy who likes Star Wars and D&D as much as she does. He gets a bit possessive and incel-y when Phoebe ghosts him, but he removes himself from the story when Phoebe starts dating Mackenzie's friend, Ethan.
Both of these guys are dramatically awful. Ben more so, because he's such a caricature, but I didn't like either of them. Ben felt too cartoonish to be real, saying things like "trans people need cis allys!" and "I'm trying to be a gentleman" and "You don't like nice guys, do you?" He's accepting of Phoebe being trans, but he prides himself for treating her like a "real girl" and is dismissive of her feelings. It felt very over the top, culminating in Ben HITTING Phoebe just in case we didn't know he's a bad guy.
On the other hand, we have Ethan! Ethan, who doesn't "let" Phoebe learn how to surf because he doesn't want her to become muscular because... he doesn't want people to "think he's gay." So... YIKES.
Mackenzie is treated as being a good person and "in the right" because she warned Phoebe away from Ben, but... I mean, way before the transphobic stuff, Mackenzie just didn't like him because of his social status! If I tell my BFF "I don't like your bf because he plays golf" and she later tells me "He was cheating on me" that does NOT mean I was originally in the right!
Mackenzie also goes so far as to claim that Ben is "worse" than Ethan in regards to Phoebe's gender identity. And that's an argument I'd like to refute! Taking away the public blasting and physical assault at the end of the book, here's what we have between the two guys: one who doesn't want his gf to be muscular because people will think he's gay, and one who makes a big deal out of his gf's tranness to the point of her discomfort. They're both awful, but only one of them is treating Phoebe like a girl.
So, ugh, yeah. The surfing plotline was good because Phoebe was finally making choices for herself, but I wish it came about sooner. I did like the use of Jane Eyre and Little Shop of Horrors as background metaphors, and the art was really good, but when there are only two characters I can point to and say "them, they were okay" then I'm just left bummed out.
1/5 stars.
This is a coming-of-age story for Phoebe, a newly transitioned high school student who doesn't quite know "how to be a girl." She's taken under the wing of Mackenzie, a popular girl who's determined to guide Phoebe through this new world. But amid Mackenzie's "help" and a confusing love triangle, Phoebe must figure out what she wants from her girlhood without taking anyone else into account.
Well, that's what the book should've been about, but... ugh.
The blunt truth of it is that EVERYONE in this book is kind of an asshole. They're all different degrees of toxic, but the scale slides with abandon! Phoebe's dad and Jessica the surfer were the only people who seemed to genuinely care about Phoebe as she was!
Ugh ugh ugh, let's do this one by one.
1. Mackenzie
First off, we have Mackenzie. She toes the line between "I want to help you become more confident!" and "I want you to become what I think a girl should be." There are times when she acts like a genuinely good friend, but she has these underlying mean-girl characteristics that rear their head far too often: she limits Phoebe's wardrobe and doesn't take Phoebe's input, she's pushy to the point of confrontation, she looks down on Phoebe for dating a nerd because "she can do better," and that's not even getting to the real problematic stuff!
Other reviewers have taken issue (rightfully so!) with Mackenzie's casual use of "dyke" when Mackenzie herself isn't queer. Why can't she just say "do you like girls?" instead of "are you a dyke?" That felt... weird. And then one of Mackenzie's friends says Phoebe shouldn't play D&D because she doesn't want to look "masc." Yikes, oh no, maybe we should've acknowledged that at one point?
Almost every single character in this book has some form of underlying transphobia, with Mackenzie as no exception. When she and Phoebe get in a fight, Mackenzie says "Why do you even want to be a girl?" and a variation of "You'll never have a period!" which is... wild. Geez, what the hell was going on with this book? I'm not even halfway through this review!
One of the big things Mackenzie tries to teach Phoebe in her "being a girl" lectures is how to deal with boys. Okay, fine and valid. They're both straight girls who like guys, so this makes sense. And... then we descend into full-blown sexism. It's the Barbie movie talking points of "all guys are selfish jerks who want to get into your pants; fake interest in them and they'll like you." Such a gross view of guys in the year of our lord 2024, especially in what's supposed to be a trans-positive book! You don't get how those viewpoints will hurt ALL guys, trans guys included??
I liked Mackenzie's arc in the second act where she learns the viewpoints of different kinds of girls, but this arc never acknowledged the biggest flaw in her whole personality: she doesn't want to help Phoebe be a girl, she wants Phoebe to be a specific KIND of girl.
You're a girl whether or not you wear makeup or do your hair. You're a girl whether or not you have a boyfriend, watch Star Wars, or wear dresses. And yet this is a lesson Mackenzie never seems to acknowledge. If she ended the book going to an old movie with Mackenzie or buying her different clothes, I'd applaud her growth. As it is, the book is basically on Mackenzie's side with her flawed and harmful logic.
2. The two love interests
I was going to give these guys separate entries, but who has time for that?
In the beginning of the book, Phoebe is crushing on Ben, the nerdy boy who likes Star Wars and D&D as much as she does. He gets a bit possessive and incel-y when Phoebe ghosts him, but he removes himself from the story when Phoebe starts dating Mackenzie's friend, Ethan.
Both of these guys are dramatically awful. Ben more so, because he's such a caricature, but I didn't like either of them. Ben felt too cartoonish to be real, saying things like "trans people need cis allys!" and "I'm trying to be a gentleman" and "You don't like nice guys, do you?" He's accepting of Phoebe being trans, but he prides himself for treating her like a "real girl" and is dismissive of her feelings. It felt very over the top, culminating in Ben HITTING Phoebe just in case we didn't know he's a bad guy.
On the other hand, we have Ethan! Ethan, who doesn't "let" Phoebe learn how to surf because he doesn't want her to become muscular because... he doesn't want people to "think he's gay." So... YIKES.
Mackenzie is treated as being a good person and "in the right" because she warned Phoebe away from Ben, but... I mean, way before the transphobic stuff, Mackenzie just didn't like him because of his social status! If I tell my BFF "I don't like your bf because he plays golf" and she later tells me "He was cheating on me" that does NOT mean I was originally in the right!
Mackenzie also goes so far as to claim that Ben is "worse" than Ethan in regards to Phoebe's gender identity. And that's an argument I'd like to refute! Taking away the public blasting and physical assault at the end of the book, here's what we have between the two guys: one who doesn't want his gf to be muscular because people will think he's gay, and one who makes a big deal out of his gf's tranness to the point of her discomfort. They're both awful, but only one of them is treating Phoebe like a girl.
So, ugh, yeah. The surfing plotline was good because Phoebe was finally making choices for herself, but I wish it came about sooner. I did like the use of Jane Eyre and Little Shop of Horrors as background metaphors, and the art was really good, but when there are only two characters I can point to and say "them, they were okay" then I'm just left bummed out.
1/5 stars.
May 1, 2025
Representation!!! This felt so realistic to me. Like this is exactly what I imagine someone who goes into a high school would deal with. Yes, there were slurs in this book coming from the mouths of teenagers who don’t know any better. It was jarring to hear dy** when they made references to lesbians, but it isn’t every character, it’s one. But if you think that doesn’t happen, that people don’t use slurs when they think no one is there to hear them, you are sadly mistaken. So while it was rough to read it, it made sense for the story.
The other part that really rocked my world was horrible things that Phoebe had to hear from guys she was dating and a friend. Albeit, that same friend uses slurs for lesbians… and they made up after she said something hateful to her, but I want to think people learn and grow… right? The guys on the other hand really sucked in this book. Not a one of them had redeeming qualities, so I’m glad the book ended with her surfing off into the sunset… ALONE!
The artwork for Girlmode is beautiful!!! I could read any graphic novel that Paulina Ganucheau is the artist for. Her characters are gorgeous (even the ones who are supposed to be not as pretty) and it made me fall in love with them all.
Like I said at the beginning, representation. This book is about a trans girl who’s just started transitioning and she moves to California with her dad. Her best friend is Asian, one of the guys she dates is Black, there are many other side characters of every shade and color, and as far as I can tell, Phoebe herself is not white. I enjoy any book that gives me a diverse cast of characters, so A+ on that.
4.5⭐️
The other part that really rocked my world was horrible things that Phoebe had to hear from guys she was dating and a friend. Albeit, that same friend uses slurs for lesbians… and they made up after she said something hateful to her, but I want to think people learn and grow… right? The guys on the other hand really sucked in this book. Not a one of them had redeeming qualities, so I’m glad the book ended with her surfing off into the sunset… ALONE!
The artwork for Girlmode is beautiful!!! I could read any graphic novel that Paulina Ganucheau is the artist for. Her characters are gorgeous (even the ones who are supposed to be not as pretty) and it made me fall in love with them all.
Like I said at the beginning, representation. This book is about a trans girl who’s just started transitioning and she moves to California with her dad. Her best friend is Asian, one of the guys she dates is Black, there are many other side characters of every shade and color, and as far as I can tell, Phoebe herself is not white. I enjoy any book that gives me a diverse cast of characters, so A+ on that.
4.5⭐️
September 22, 2024
A newly transitioned girl, Phoebe is starting at a new high school. Immediately, Mackanzie is already interested in becoming her friend and teach her the ways of what it's like being girl. As Phoebe navigates new friendships, boys, and how each of her parents navigate her transition, can she truly see who she really is?
This was a grower. This took me awhile to get on the train because I have no idea how to navigate the beginning of this graphic novel. I was so protective of Phoebe because all the other characters didn't feel real. But when I got into it, you'd want to swim deeper to get more.
This story was so good! It even made me look at myself as a girl and as a woman. It even gave a sense of nostalgia as to what it was like in high school and how I navigate frienships and boys. This honestly felt a little therapeutic because this graphic novel went deep, like really deep! It tackled so much more that what it presents itself on the surface. I definitely feel like this is something that everyone should read!
The art in itself is also so very good. Though it's really not, the art really reminds me of the slam book aesthetic with all the bright colors, deep hues, and bold lines. I really like it a lot. It also gave justice to a layman's perspective of what Los Angeles, California is like,
This was such a good story to read, and such a good art to appreciate!
*I recieved an eARC copy of this book
This was a grower. This took me awhile to get on the train because I have no idea how to navigate the beginning of this graphic novel. I was so protective of Phoebe because all the other characters didn't feel real. But when I got into it, you'd want to swim deeper to get more.
This story was so good! It even made me look at myself as a girl and as a woman. It even gave a sense of nostalgia as to what it was like in high school and how I navigate frienships and boys. This honestly felt a little therapeutic because this graphic novel went deep, like really deep! It tackled so much more that what it presents itself on the surface. I definitely feel like this is something that everyone should read!
The art in itself is also so very good. Though it's really not, the art really reminds me of the slam book aesthetic with all the bright colors, deep hues, and bold lines. I really like it a lot. It also gave justice to a layman's perspective of what Los Angeles, California is like,
This was such a good story to read, and such a good art to appreciate!
*I recieved an eARC copy of this book
September 5, 2025
I actually really liked this. It was fast. Read in over two hours in one day.
its a shame they didn't follow through with other characters
also, apparently, people have problems with characters using a slur, and that phoebe doesn't want to look masculine if she plays a "manly" game
but I actually feel this is realistic in a high school surrounding living in a small town myself that doesn't know better.
its a shame they didn't follow through with other characters
also, apparently, people have problems with characters using a slur, and that phoebe doesn't want to look masculine if she plays a "manly" game
but I actually feel this is realistic in a high school surrounding living in a small town myself that doesn't know better.
November 13, 2024
Man, there's a lot of awful people in this book. Poor Phoebe gets entirely abandoned by her already absentee mother, goes through two toxic boyfriends, plus a toxic friendship. Most of these are just... things that happen to her? Phoebe does get better at standing up for herself, but it takes the entire book before she stops just following along with whatever voice in her life is the loudest. That said, the toxic friend, Mackenzie, actually has a pretty decent character arc. Despite her controlling behavior, she actually does care about Phoebe. She's been hardened by her experiences with sexism, and has a very rigid view of how girls should behave to protect and empower themselves. Surprisingly, she gets that personal growth I mentioned by playing Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, a character she can't understand at all when she's cast but she has to learn empathy for in the rehearsal process. I genuinely thought that this was a very interesting track to take, and seeing her grow from judgmental and narrow minded to truly supportive of Phoebe was nice. I just wish Phoebe's character arc had caught me the same.
There are several missed opportunities in this book, but the one that nags me is related to Mackenzie and the the second toxic boyfriend. Mackenzie clearly has some kind of background information about this guy that lets her see right through him, but she never shares it with Phoebe. In fact, we never find out what that history might be, which seems like an oversight to me. Similarly, I never knew enough about Phoebe's relationship with her mother before the book starts, and that seems like important information to know.
There are several missed opportunities in this book, but the one that nags me is related to Mackenzie and the the second toxic boyfriend. Mackenzie clearly has some kind of background information about this guy that lets her see right through him, but she never shares it with Phoebe. In fact, we never find out what that history might be, which seems like an oversight to me. Similarly, I never knew enough about Phoebe's relationship with her mother before the book starts, and that seems like important information to know.
Read
February 25, 2025Hm. This one is a struggle to review.
First, the positives:
- Amazing artstyle. Visual candy to look at.
- It is nice to see a story where trans girlhood/trans womanhood (and the intersection between those lines, as a teenager shifting between those two categories) is centered so prominently.
- Mackenzie was a really interesting character, and her arc felt the most complete.
- I really enjoyed the dad as well. He was a lovely little supporting character I would have loved to see more of.
The negatives:
- why was the d slur used like 5 times. the author is sapphic herself but this comes from a straight girl. the book doesnt really double back to this. what does this add
- In some ways it does feel a bit comically like... Everything Bad Happening To Phoebe? And I get that is supposed to be a lot of her arc, but it just didn't click for me. It just felt like a lot of bad things happened, she took it, until she didn't.
- I didn't fully understand the motivations of some of the characters/their actions just came out of nowhere
- a "and everybody clapped" moment
- overall the story just felt... clunky? And it's very much a take on Mean Girls right. It's not a literal retelling but it has those vibes. And so you can't entirely judge the morality of the story on that, bc of course these characters are supposed to be flawed. But the message just didn't feel like it was messaging? idk. idk.
First, the positives:
- Amazing artstyle. Visual candy to look at.
- It is nice to see a story where trans girlhood/trans womanhood (and the intersection between those lines, as a teenager shifting between those two categories) is centered so prominently.
- Mackenzie was a really interesting character, and her arc felt the most complete.
- I really enjoyed the dad as well. He was a lovely little supporting character I would have loved to see more of.
The negatives:
- why was the d slur used like 5 times. the author is sapphic herself but this comes from a straight girl. the book doesnt really double back to this. what does this add
- In some ways it does feel a bit comically like... Everything Bad Happening To Phoebe? And I get that is supposed to be a lot of her arc, but it just didn't click for me. It just felt like a lot of bad things happened, she took it, until she didn't.
- I didn't fully understand the motivations of some of the characters/their actions just came out of nowhere
- a "and everybody clapped" moment
- overall the story just felt... clunky? And it's very much a take on Mean Girls right. It's not a literal retelling but it has those vibes. And so you can't entirely judge the morality of the story on that, bc of course these characters are supposed to be flawed. But the message just didn't feel like it was messaging? idk. idk.
October 18, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
This graphic novel is, first and foremost, beautiful to look at. It’s nice to see a comic where the transgender girl is still shown to be physically caught in that in-between state. Her waist isn’t tapered in, she’s slightly taller in the group shots than other girls, her shoulders are broader, and when she’s going through bouts of heartbreak and depression, her stubble growth in leg and arm hair are used to show her emotional state. It is easy to read the facial expressions on all the characters and every panel flows together well. It’s just a lovely, easy to read book.
I’d recommend to this to anyone and everyone who likes happy slices of life with strong, sympathetic characters and a focus on friendship and family, both found and born.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
This graphic novel is, first and foremost, beautiful to look at. It’s nice to see a comic where the transgender girl is still shown to be physically caught in that in-between state. Her waist isn’t tapered in, she’s slightly taller in the group shots than other girls, her shoulders are broader, and when she’s going through bouts of heartbreak and depression, her stubble growth in leg and arm hair are used to show her emotional state. It is easy to read the facial expressions on all the characters and every panel flows together well. It’s just a lovely, easy to read book.
I’d recommend to this to anyone and everyone who likes happy slices of life with strong, sympathetic characters and a focus on friendship and family, both found and born.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
May 4, 2025
laughing at the reviews losing their shit over people in the book saying slurs. have you ever met a teenager in public school??? slurs are like their WHOLE thing. also of COURSE ben got no consequences for being abusive he's a white man ??
this was super fun and felt very mean girls-esque but with a trans mc which was amazing! i loved seeing phoebe explore her identity as a woman and relationships. it really got into her experience of like, oh shit i used to be seen as a man and now i'm seen as a woman but that comes with a whole slew of oppression i'm not used to and oh wow men SUCK. which was really cool to see explored in such depth in a mainstream graphic novel. i will say mackenzie's monologues to phoebe definitely felt like very basic 2010s feminism but i feel like that also fits with mackenzie's character so i'm not too mad at it. overall not like a standout but i did enjoy it and it kept me hooked.
this was super fun and felt very mean girls-esque but with a trans mc which was amazing! i loved seeing phoebe explore her identity as a woman and relationships. it really got into her experience of like, oh shit i used to be seen as a man and now i'm seen as a woman but that comes with a whole slew of oppression i'm not used to and oh wow men SUCK. which was really cool to see explored in such depth in a mainstream graphic novel. i will say mackenzie's monologues to phoebe definitely felt like very basic 2010s feminism but i feel like that also fits with mackenzie's character so i'm not too mad at it. overall not like a standout but i did enjoy it and it kept me hooked.
November 3, 2024
I feel like this book was problematic in so many ways. I think there was some sensitivity topics that were blatantly ignored such as homophobic/transphobic language and slurs, abusive relationship dynamics (friend and romantic), child neglect (the relationship with Phoebe’s mother was glossed over), the sexual harassment/potential sexual assault (unwanted groping). Those were the key issues but I’m sure I’m missing some. I think this book was so out of touch and the only reason I’m giving 2 stars is because of the artwork but really it’s 1.5 rating. What truly bothers me is this was written by women and yet all of this triggers/issues were glossed over.
November 18, 2024
I loved the art style! Very beautiful and I can tell a lot of work went into the illustration. The growth between the characters was very good! I like how both Mackenzie and Phoebe developed as characters. Some of the language I felt was a little too much I didn't like how the D slur was just thrown in.
The main concentration of this graphic novel was how the female interact with the patriarchy that's forced upon us. I wasn't a fan of either of Phoebe's boyfriends and I'm glad she didn't take either of them back. I liked how it started as Phoebe trying to fit in and turned into her being her authentic self. I was glad when Phoebe and Mackenzie made up and became friends again.
The main concentration of this graphic novel was how the female interact with the patriarchy that's forced upon us. I wasn't a fan of either of Phoebe's boyfriends and I'm glad she didn't take either of them back. I liked how it started as Phoebe trying to fit in and turned into her being her authentic self. I was glad when Phoebe and Mackenzie made up and became friends again.
November 9, 2024
I don’t know whether to hate or love how messy these teens are. Everyone behaved awful to each other a lot more then was comfortable to me. Everyone was using each other to prove a point of their existence. The character growth was realistic but at times made me sick to my stomach. I’m also confused on the audience of this story. There was so much use of the word dyke in the most unnecessary manners possible.
Bonus points for the beautiful art and Jessica who taught Phoebe how to surf.
Bonus points for the beautiful art and Jessica who taught Phoebe how to surf.
June 7, 2025
Jesus Christ, I feel so gross after reading this. Poor Phoebe. She doesn’t have anyone solid in her life.
Also fuck the slurs just being dropped casually.
Also fuck the slurs just being dropped casually.
April 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange of an honest review.
I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately I just couldn't look past certain things. I've left it a while before finishing as I was mulling over how to approach it. But I tackled it hoping that certain things would be addressed and resolved but in my opinion they weren't resolved in a way that I personally deemed acceptable.
I also understand and acknowledge the reference to Heathers and the possible inspiration of Mean Girls and how mean student bodies can be and how hard the school experience is, but I don't think this came across exactly how it might have been intended
Possible spoilers ahead
I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately I just couldn't look past certain things. I've left it a while before finishing as I was mulling over how to approach it. But I tackled it hoping that certain things would be addressed and resolved but in my opinion they weren't resolved in a way that I personally deemed acceptable.
I also understand and acknowledge the reference to Heathers and the possible inspiration of Mean Girls and how mean student bodies can be and how hard the school experience is, but I don't think this came across exactly how it might have been intended
Possible spoilers ahead
January 4, 2025
het trans girl high school feelings, sweet and canny and cute and real, really satisfying read
March 22, 2025
Girlmode
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.28/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 6
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.28/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 6
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 6
June 27, 2025
Yöksis, nyt ei mene jatkoon. Sarjakuvan päähenkilö on transnuori ja teoksessa sitä todella alleviivataan tehden asiasta koko kirjan keskeisen teeman - sillä onhan se nyt aivan pakko tehdä iso numero ja ongelma siitä, että Phoebe on trans, miten aiheesta muka mitenkään voisi puhua raikkaammalla tulokulmalla...
Oli tässä muutamia onnistuneitakin kohtia ihmisoikeuksista puhuttaessa, mutta ne jäävät kaiken korostetun ryönän jalkoihin. Ymmärrän, että tekijät ovat halunneet korostaa haasteita, joita transnuoret kohtaavat, mutta tämä ei ollut mielestäni oikea tapa, sillä jokainen ihminen Phoeben isää lukuunottamatta ovat raivostuttavia tai transfobisia karikatyyrimäisyyteen asti.
Samankaltaista luettavaa:
- Meredith Russo: Tyttösi sun
- Faith Erin Hicks: Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy
- Raina Telgemeier: Drama
Oli tässä muutamia onnistuneitakin kohtia ihmisoikeuksista puhuttaessa, mutta ne jäävät kaiken korostetun ryönän jalkoihin. Ymmärrän, että tekijät ovat halunneet korostaa haasteita, joita transnuoret kohtaavat, mutta tämä ei ollut mielestäni oikea tapa, sillä jokainen ihminen Phoeben isää lukuunottamatta ovat raivostuttavia tai transfobisia karikatyyrimäisyyteen asti.
Samankaltaista luettavaa:
- Meredith Russo: Tyttösi sun
- Faith Erin Hicks: Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy
- Raina Telgemeier: Drama
August 30, 2025
A really messy book that feels transphobic? Has intense scenes of DV, transphobia, homophobia, bullying, violence — and seems to handle them all clumsily?
May 6, 2025
Firstly, the artwork in this graphic novel is beautiful.
But this made me feel so uncomfortable - pretty much everyone is an awful person and there are 0 consequences. I also cannot believe how much slurs are just thrown around?
Unsure how to feel to be honest.
But this made me feel so uncomfortable - pretty much everyone is an awful person and there are 0 consequences. I also cannot believe how much slurs are just thrown around?
Unsure how to feel to be honest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews