Picture Day, Sarah Sax
Picture Day, Sarah Sax
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Picture Day

Author: Sarah Sax

Narrator: Felisha Wong, Em Grosland, Davu Smith, Beth Hicks, Jamie K. Brown, Valerie Rose Lohman, Giordan Diaz, Mirai, Keylor Leigh, Michael Crouch

Unabridged: 1 hr 6 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/27/2023


Synopsis

Everyone knows the most stressful day of middle school is picture day! And that's exactly where this yearbook-worthy series opener begins: with reinventing yourself, drama, popularity, and the friends who see you through.

Seventh-grader Viv never looks forward to picture day. It’s just another day where she wears a boring braid and no one notices her. (Her two best friends, Milo and Al, don’t count, of course.) 

But enough is enough. This year, she’s taking matters into her own hands. Literally. Viv grabs a pair of scissors, her phone for live-streaming, and, well, bye-bye braid.

Suddenly Viv is an over-night influencer at Brinkley Middle School. Everyone wants her help planning their next big moment—from haircuts, to dance proposals, activist rallies and mathlete championships. She hardly even has time for her friends anymore. It’s exactly how she dreamed of reinventing herself…right?

In the tradition of modern classics like Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared, Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward, and Kayla Miller's Click, Picture Day brings answers to perennial questions of what it means to be true to yourself—and a true friend.

Look for the whole Brinkley Yearbooks series:
PICTURE DAY • TRYOUTS • SCHOOL DANCE (Coming August 2025!)

About The Author

Sarah Sax is an author-illustrator based in Portland, ME. She studied illustration, animation and storytelling at Hampshire College. Sarah has a background in arts education and she was a former Creative Director at Lumos Labs (Lumosity) in San Francisco. Sarah cares deeply about how, why and what people create (and how to foster the creative spark in those who've forgotten or are fearful to try). Picture Day is her graphic novel debut. 


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bookishrealm on December 31, 2023

A cute coming of age graphic novel about the struggles of trying to fit in and the nature of social media. Picture Day follows Viv as she decides to make a drastic change with her hair. As her decision garners attention, Viv finds that more people come to her for advice. She must learn to find the b......more

Goodreads review by Cherlynn | cherreading on November 18, 2023

Filled with angst and humor, this vibrant graphic novel takes us through the 'stressful' and 'chaotic' life of a middle-grader, when the smallest hiccup seems so catastrophic. Remember those times? πŸ˜‚ This was a fun read about the high and lows of school life, friendship, finding your true self and m......more

Goodreads review by Melissa on June 27, 2023

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for my e-ARC of Picture Day! 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 π“π‡πˆπ’ πˆπ… π˜πŽπ” πŸ«₯ have ever felt invisible πŸ›Ό enjoy rollerblading βœ‚οΈ gave yourself a haircut at any point in time πŸ“– love graphic novels β€’ 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 πˆπ“β€™π’ π€ππŽπ”π“ Seventh-grader Viv never looks forward to picture day. It’s just another day where......more

Goodreads review by Rachael on April 10, 2023

This is a great graphic novel story about dealing with social pressures as a kid. Fans of Raina Telgemeier and The Baby-Sittier's Club Graphix will love this one!......more

This was lighthearted to say the least. I think it lacked in fleshing out the characters, or just really standing out, BUT, what it lacked, it made up for in expressiveness and resolution. It was a nice half and hour read to pass the time <3......more


Quotes

★ "An impressively strong debut....Bold, brash, and honest." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Heartfelt interactions surrounding popularity and identity provide ample fodder for introspective discussion." —Publishers Weekly

"For kids who enjoy realistic graphic novels about school, friendship, and discovering your true self." —School Library Journal

"[A] heartwarming story of self-expression and being unapologetically yourself." —Booklist

"The tensions and resolutions are portrayed through heartfelt dialogue and with pacing that feels authentic for the seventh-grade characters and the setting." —The Horn Book

“Picture perfect.” —Terri Libenson, bestselling author of Invisible Emmie
 
Picture Day is a bighearted story about showing up as yourself—and for your friends. A timely and terrific exploration of navigating both the pressures and the positives of social media and middle school.” —Megan Wagner Lloyd, author of Allergic
 
Charming, inclusive, and fun. Picture Day won an instant spot on my to-recommend list.” —Hope Larson, creator of All Summer Long
 
“A sweet, high-energy story about finding your place in middle school, friendship drama, wacky haircuts, and some seriously cool roller skating. I’m certain this series is going to be a classic!” —Molly Knox Ostertag, creator of The Witch Boy
 
“A deeply charming book. This will resonate with readers who are unabashedly tied to the cadences of fandom and social media, but also respects their agency and feelings and the unique ways they navigate social dynamics today.” —Shing Yin Khor, creator of the National Book Award finalist The Legend of Auntie Po
 
Picture Day will reassure readers that while figuring out who you are is complicated (and occasionally painful or embarrassing), it’s totally possible to reinvent yourself into a more authentic you. A delight!” —Molly Brooks, creator of Sanity & Tallulah