All Together Now

By Hope Larson. Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR).

Softcover, 192 pages, Monochrome, 2020. 

All Together Now is New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Hope Larson's pitch-perfect graphic novel follow-up for fans of All Summer Long, music lovers, and anyone navigating the ups and downs of friendship.

Middle-schooler Bina is having the best time playing in her new band with her friends, Darcy and Enzo. But both the band and her friendships begin to crumble when Darcy and Enzo start dating, effectively relegating Bina to third-wheel status.

To make matters worse, Bina's best friend, Austin, starts developing a crush on her . . . one she is not sure she reciprocates. Now Bina must follow her heart. Can she navigate its twists and turns before the lights come up and the music starts playing?

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2020
A School Library Journal Summer Read

"Larson’s artwork is crisp and bold; perfectly suited to her story and characters . . . The visual portrayal of Bina’s love of music, and her joy in losing herself in the creative process, is especially wonderful." —The New York Times

"Bina’s smart, likable, and familiar, and her coming-of-age fears are palpably engaging as she learns that romance need not be romantic.Larson has a wonderfully sharp eye for her characters, including a range of skin tones, sexual orientations, and body types.Aftermatter includes Larson’s explanation of her artistic process and is sure to inspire budding artists. Altogether perfect." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Light purple washes contrast with thick, bold lines, creating an appropriate balance in a narrative containing moments of both emotive strength and fragility. Other symbolic visual elements, such as arrows and sound effects, add backstory and humor." —Horn Book

"Heartfelt and authentic, this book tenderly captures the ebb and flow of love and friendship . . . For older kids and younger teens who love graphic novels and realistic fiction about music, friendship, and growing up." —School Library Journal

"Larson realistically captures the emotional minefield that is middle school through Bina and her friends, who are all authentically flawed . . . Larson’s use of both a tablet and traditional pen and ink for her illustrations produces crisp, high-contrast lines, with the subtle coloring keeping the focus on the characters." —Booklist