Fact Friday and Arc Review: Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz

Image: Candlewick Press

Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz. 352 p. Candlewick Press, February 9, 2021. 9781536207620. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Friday! We made it through another week of hybrid learning/ teaching! Our Graphic Novel Week concludes with Fact Friday, which features Sylvie by Sylvie Kantrovitz. Sylvie moves with her family from Morocco to France as a young child so that her father can become principal of a school. She and her family have an apartment at the school and she and her brother delight in exploring all the nooks and crannies when they aren't fighting with each other. 

As she grows older and relationships become more complicated, she realizes some things - her parents fight a lot, and maybe it isn't the coolest thing to be the daughter of the principal. She loves her gentle father very much and becomes aware that she disappoints her mother. Sylvie loves art and her mom insists that she pursue math and science. 

This graphic novel memoir explores Sylvie's complicated relationships using simple language and uncomplicated cartoonish art. Universal themes such as identity, friendship and parental love make Sylvie relatable. Look for it February 9, 2021.