Part of It

October 1, 2018
This inviting collection of Schrag’s autobiographical short comics combines old and new works, organized not by the order in which they were written but by her life’s chronology. This creates a kind of scrapbook of Schrag’s growth from ages six to 26, with quick, vivid snapshots capturing social and emotional milestones. Schrag is skilled at immersing the reader in her memories in a way that feels real and unforced, as if her audience were her teenage friends gossiping in a bedroom or college kids figuring out, collectively, where to stand at a party. Her simple artwork, while sketchy in earlier drafted pieces, develops into a clean, rounded wide-eyed style reminiscent of Peanuts, and is similarly accessible. As Schrag’s cartoon self matures from an awkwardly experimenting grade schooler to a ruthlessly status-obsessed teenager to a neurotic adult who obsesses over finding the perfect pair of hipster glasses, themes develop: discovering her sexuality, testing her social power, and yearning to fit in with one group after another. Although the amalgamation lacks the depth and density of Schrag’s graphic memoirs (Awkward, Likewise, etc.), as an encapsulation of the artist’s life, it gets to the heart of the struggle that so many young people feel to fit in. Agent: Merrilee Heifetz, Writers House.

October 15, 2018
Finding a sense of belonging is a universal human need. Writer and cartoonist Schrag examines her own struggles to be part of it, no matter what it is, offering both insider and outsider perspectives in this upbeat collection. Fourteen distinct vignettes highlight her most pivotal moments, including the emotional minefield of middle-school mean girls; a small moment of connection while leading a youth group; and a raucous, booze-fueled dyke march. Confessional and completely devoid of self-judgment, Schrag's stories are funny, poignant, frequently awkward, and all too recognizable to anyone who has ever felt out of place. The pen-and-ink illustrations vary from simple line drawings to full grayscale, reflecting two decades of the author's evolving work. While sometimes text-heavy, her drawings are emotionally astute and capture with one glance everything left unsaid. By sharing her most embarrassing and her proudest moments, Schrag invites us to go easy on ourselves; we all have the same struggles, and in this way, she invites readers to be part of it, too.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)