Page by Paige

Title: Page By Paige
Author: Laura Lee Gulledge 
Illustrator: Laura Lee Gulledge  
Publisher: Amulet Books 
Publication Date: May 2011 
Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction/Graphic Novel
GoodReads Summary: Paige Turner has just moved to New York with her family, and she's having some trouble adjusting to the big city. In the pages of her sketchbook, she tries to make sense of her new life, including trying out her secret identity: artist. As she makes friends and starts to explore the city, she slowly brings her secret identity out into the open, a process that is equal parts terrifying and rewarding.
     Laura Lee Gulledge crafts stories and panels with images that are thought-provoking, funny, and emotionally resonant. Teens struggling to find their place can see themselves in Paige's honest, heartfelt story. 
What Jen Thinks: I'm fairly sure the first time I heard about Page by Paige was when Brian Wyzlic shared it as one of his all-time favorite books for Colby's The Door In The Wall Newbery Challenge video. And I don't know why I waited almost three months to read it! I was super impressed by the artwork and the story. Paige's story is so introspective. She really spends a lot of the story thinking about who she is and how others perceive her. She really grows and matures as she develops friendships and explores her feelings and her passions.
     My all-time favorite part of this book is when Paige and her friends decide to be Agents of Whimsy! It's awesome. They come up with ideas to spread happiness around the city through harmless art. I love it! I want to be an Agent of Whimsy. It makes me want to get serious about knitting some Extra Yarn-like yarn bombs to start. Paige and her friends give themselves bird code names. I'm calling myself chickadee. Actually, a few weeks ago, one of my friends was stressed at work and I bought her a Seeds of Happiness smiley lump of clay. I thought he was so cute and he brought a smile to my face. She liked him, too. I love random acts of kindness and being able to pay it forward and just choosing kind in general. How can you bring some whimsy to the world today?
What Kellee Thinks:  I was lucky enough to read Page by Paige after I received an ARC last year at NCTE. Ever since I have loved sharing it with my girls. 
     Laura Lee Gulledge is truly a talented artist. Because of the concept, Paige buys a sketchbook to help her deal with a recent move and teenage years, this graphic novel is a journal mixed with fascinating sketches as well. 
     This graphic novel also made me remember how hard being a teenager is, even a normal teenager. Paige has her sketching and I had my poetry- this graphic novel was very similar to reliving my teenage years. Yes, Paige and I are different, but I just remember how much my poetry journal meant to me and how glad I was (and am now) that I had it to put my feelings in. Just shows how important teaching kids how to express themselves is, because it can save them from bottling things up inside of them.
Read Together: Grades 7 - 12 
Read Alone: Grades 7 - 12 
Read With: Smile and Drama by Raina Telgemeier, To Dance by Siena Cherson Siegel, Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol, Foiled by Jane Yolen
Snatch of Text:  

Mentor Text For: Characterization, Personal Narrative, Making Connections 

Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when you felt like you could truly be yourself, when nothing was inhibiting you or holding you back.  
Topics Covered: Family, Moving, Friendship, Love, Taking Risks, Self-Esteem, Confidence, Expression, Dreams, Integration - Art, Feelings

Jen *hearts* It:

Kellee *hearts* It:

and