Lanica's Reviews > Glitch: A Graphic Novel

My 12 year old boys read this and loved it...and then were surprised when I told them that I totally thought it was about video game addiction. It is a good fluffy book for kids - and we can just leave it there...but...

This is a great way for teachers and parents to talk to kids about how addicting video games can be and how easy it is to let addiction ruin friendships, families and a persons health. The main character doesn't realize she has played all night, so then she sleeps through school, then lies to her best friend, and her parents...eventually she sees that she needs help, but is too afraid to ask for it because she would have to admit she lied and broke the rules. She forgets to do things she is supposed to do. She thinks the game world is more important than her own. Totally an addiction story! I loved it!

I also love it because there are a bunch of things in it that are not 'discussion points'...and yet so important. A mixed race family has nothing to do with the story. A friend named Eric who might be trans...which has absolutely nothing to to with the story. Using 'they/them/their' for a gender neutral character without any discussion of pronouns. So simple and so effective. Well done!