Cross My Heart and Never Lie

by Nora Dåsnes

Other authorsMatt Bagguley (Translator)

Paperback, 2023

Genres

Graphic Novels

Comics

Graphic Novels and Comics

Description

"Tuva is starting seventh grade, and her checklist of goals includes: writing out a diary, getting a trendy look, building the best fort in the woods with her BFFs, and much more. But when she starts school, nothing is how she hoped it would be. Seventh grade has split her friends into rival factions: TEAM LINNEA and the girls who fall in love and TEAM BAO and the girls who NEVER fall in love. Linnea has a BOYFRIEND, Bao hates everything related to love. Worst of all, Linnea and Bao expect Tuva to choosea side! In this delighfully hand-lettered coming-of-age graphic diary, Tuva gets caught between feeling like a kid and wanting to know HOW to become a teenager. Then Miriam shows up and suddenly Tuva feels as if she's met her soulmate. Can you fall in love with a girl, keep it from your friends, and survive? For Tuva, it may be possible, but it's defintely not easy"--… (more)

Publication

Hippo Park (2023), 248 pages

User reviews

LibraryThing member bibliovermis

A sweet little coming of age graphic novel, about first crushes and changing friendships at the start of adolescence. Compelling in its universality, but also very interesting for the specifics: depicting childhood in a small Norwegian community, and discovering a girl can have a crush on another

girl.

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LibraryThing member booklover3258

This book came into the library and I thought the cover was cute so I thought what the heck I'll read it. I'm glad I did. It was a great story about a girl whose friends are growing up too fast for her. She confused as to what she wants. Does she want to remain a tomboy and just hang out in the bog

or does she want to start dating and wear makeup? Hmm... Graphics are great and the ending was sweet.

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LibraryThing member electrascaife

A sweet little middle grade graphic novel about the awkwardness of growing up at a different rate than your friends and negotiating your way through your first crush.

LibraryThing member oldandnewbooksmell

Twelve-year-old Tuva has questions about what it means to become a mature and a teenager. She’s starting seventh grade and has a few goals; write (or draw) a whole diary, get a cool look, build the best base in the bog with Bao and Linnéa, go to a sleepover birthday party, and fall in love.

She’s got it all planned out. But when school starts, nothing is how she hoped.

Her two best friends are not split into rival teams. TEAM LINNÉA are the girls who fall in love. TEAM BAO are the girls who will never fall in love. Linnéa got a boyfriend over the summer and Bao hates everything there is to do with love. And now, they’re expecting Tuva to pick sides! Then Miriam shows up and suddenly Tuva feels like she’s met her soulmate.

How’s a girl to survive?

This was so cute! First sapphic love written in the diary form of a young artist is adorable (especially when she’s making the connections that yea - she does like Miriam like that!). It’s also one of the best coming of age stories I’ve read in a minute. Tuva’s on that teetering edge of playing around in the mud during breaks and wearing a bra and mascara for the first time (I don’t wear makeup anymore, but I did when I was younger and trying to figure out your “look” is hard!).

Tuva’s dad is also a single parent and it’s heartwarming to see him trying while Tuva’s going through everything. He even admits he doesn’t have all the answers, but it’s always so very supportive.

This book is set in Norway and is translated from Norwegian - it’s fascinating to see how universal growing up can be.

Overall, I’ll be thrusting this book into the hands of many who would like a warm hug on a chilly day. Also those that love queer middle grade stories. The subjects in the story are never too heavy and can be enjoyed by all ages!

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