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December 10, 2018 by Esther Keller

Review: ‘Crush’

December 10, 2018 by Esther Keller   5 comments

Crush

This is my 17th year in middle school. Sure, I should probably graduate, but I do like the age a lot. It makes work exciting most days. When I read certain books, I just feel like the author (artist) has captured what goes on in a given day. The Berrybrook Middle School series just gets the age. It’s like Chmakova is like me—she never left middle school.

Crush
By Svetlana Chmakova
Yen Press
Rated A – All Ages
Grades 5 and Up

CrushIf you were to pass Jorge Ruiz on the street or in the hall, you would assume he had been held back. He’s big. He’s tough looking. But in reality, Jorge is sweet and gentle and all about keeping the peace. He’s not the bully. He’s the kid who protects you from them. He uses his size and the fact that people are afraid of him for good rather than evil.

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Though he has his two best friends, Liv and Garrett, Jorge of late realizes he’s crushing on Jazmine. He gets tongue-tied whenever he is around her, but it doesn’t matter because Jazmine is already dating someone else. This is middle school, though, and no one stays a couple for very long. When the opportunity arises to start a relationship with Jazmine, it takes a while for Jorge to use it.

The story has many parts to it, without being overly complicated. Jorge and Jazmine do become a couple, but Garrett, who is trying to fit in with the jock crowd, makes some bad choices that affect their relationship. There’s also a social media episode that is timely for today’s youth.

Chmakova really hits all the nails on the head. She created a captivating story with warm and likeable characters (and some characters you really don’t want to like). While the situations are exaggerated for the sake of fiction, it works! There is a diverse cast of characters. The soft color tones and manga style artwork enhance the exciting read.

Make sure to add this to your shelf. It’s a must have—and one of our picks for the top ten graphic novels of 2018!

Filed under: All Ages, Graphic Novels, Reviews

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About Esther Keller

Esther Keller is the librarian at JHS 278, Marine Park in Brooklyn, NY. There she started the library's first graphic novel collection and strongly advocated for using comics in the classroom. She also curates the Graphic Novel collection for the NYC DOE Citywide Digital Library. She started her career at the Brooklyn Public Library and later jumped ship to the school system so she could have summer vacation and a job that would align with a growing family's schedule. On the side, she is a mother of 4 and regularly reviews for SLJ and School Library Connection (formerly LMC). In her past life, she served on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee where she solidified her love and dedication to comics.

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Comments

  1. Amy G says

    December 11, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    OMG, I absolutely LOVE the Berrybrook Middle School series from Svetlana Chmakova! Crush was on my radar last year after I’d read Brave, and I was finally thrilled to add it to my home graphic novel collection. Jorge was my favorite side character from Brave, and this volume really lets him shine so adorably!

  2. Aw3som3 says

    May 7, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    So i just L—O—-V—-E the books crush,brave and awkward

    • Aw3som3 says

      May 7, 2019 at 7:15 pm

      Yeah i love jorge T00

  3. James Bell says

    September 24, 2019 at 7:07 pm

    I am a guy and I love her books!!!

  4. Book freak says

    November 11, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    The book was so good after I read it I could not get it out of my mind for a long time

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