SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

May 20, 2021 by Johanna

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr | Review

May 20, 2021 by Johanna   Leave a Comment

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr cover

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr
by Laura Lee Gulledge
Amulet Books, $14.99 (paperback), $22.99 (hardcover)
Ages 14 and up

Laura Lee Gulledge has never shied away from telling stories of young women artists struggling with difficult issues. In Will & Whit, it was grief and finding one’s community. In Page by Paige, it was loneliness in a new place. In The Dark Matter of Mona Starr, it’s depression. The result is a welcome addition to the growing list of graphic novels for young people suffering big challenges.

Mona has never had many friends, and her best just moved away. She’s seeing a therapist because she feels “Overwhelmed. Alone. Sad. The usual…. In the grand scheme of things, I’m just an insignificant speck in the universe.” Her family cares, but she’s the only creative person in a logical group.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

She’s been asked to make a choice between working to feel better or not change anything and eventually fall apart. Since her depression can make her physically ill, she chooses to try. Volunteering makes her feel better. So does journaling, putting words to how she feels. Her therapist’s advice may give the reader some ideas, also.

Comics is the perfect medium for this story, as Mona’s feelings are illustrated for us as a black spiral, tendrils of darkness wrapping around her and keeping her isolated. It’s a direct presentation of her emotions, the “dark matter” that she struggles with. That Gulledge both shows and tells us what Mona is feeling means more ways for readers to interact with her ideas.

Beyond the artistic metaphor, Gulledge’s illustrations are full of detail, establishing the school and home settings in which Mona lives. Yet the author also isn’t afraid to create highly symbolic panels or pages, making it easy for the reader to understand what Mona is thinking and feeling. The occasional light yellow highlight draws attention to particularly significant moments or strong emotions.

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr creates sympathy in the reader. Mona has a lot already going for her, as she has what seems like a good support system and professional help. That she still has to fight for her mental health means maybe others aren’t alone in feeling similarly. When she most needs others is when she’s most likely to push them away; noticing this tendency is a major turning point for her improvement. When she is finally able to begin opening up, she learns others have similar struggles.

The chapter titles are advice, such as “Notice Your Patterns” or “It’s Not About You.” The book concludes with space to make one’s own self-care plan and an example of the author’s. The Dark Matter of Mona Starr is a thought-provoking book that can make readers feel better.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews, Young Adult

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
Amulet BooksLaura Lee GulledgeSelf-Care

About Johanna

Johanna Draper Carlson has been reviewing comics for over 20 years. She manages ComicsWorthReading.com, the longest-running independent review site online that covers all genres of comic books, graphic novels, and manga. She has an MA in popular culture, studying online fandom, and was previously, among many other things, webmaster for DC Comics. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

February 2023

Insomniacs After School, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

February 2023

Kiss Number 8 | Review

by Johanna

January 2023

My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

December 2022

Heartstopper Volumes 1 and 2 | Review

by Johanna

December 2022

Ride On | Review

by Johanna

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

2023 Caldecott Jump

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Bonds and Books: An Interview with Megan Dowd Lambert About Building Connections Through Family Reading

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Recent Graphic Novel Deals, Early Mar 2023 | News

by Johanna

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Popular Middle Grade Author Stuart Gibbs Launches a New Venture to Help Inspire and Guide Young Writers

by Karen Jensen, MLS

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

A Starter Manga Set: 15 Titles for Children and Tweens

Six Manga About People with Disabilities

10 Manga Titles for Teens Who Watch Anime

Graphic Novel Stars at the SLJ Summit

The Comics of COVID | Stellar Panels

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023