Page by Paige

February 7, 2011
Artist and teacher Gulledge's debut graphic novel features young Paige Turner, who, like Gulledge, is a Virginian transplanted to New York. Unexpectedly stripped of her comfortable social network and dropped into an unfamiliar context, Paige finds herself reconstructing her disrupted life; New York provides her with a rich source of novel experiences, new friends, and even her first romance as Paige explores who it is that she wants to become. Paige's story is a familiar, perhaps universal, tale of self-discovery and transformation. Although New York is quite different from the region where Paige grew up, Gulledge eschews an antiurban approach, preferring to see in New York that quintessentially American city, a grand, intricate setting fit for a coming-of-age story. Gulledge's b&w illustrations are simple but well-suited to their subject matter; the work as a whole is a good-natured, optimistic portrait of a young woman evolving toward adulthood. Ages 12–up.

April 1, 2011
A sweet coming-of-age graphic novel about an artistic introvert. Sixteen-year-old Paige Turner (a product of writer parents, though that still doesn't forgive the somewhat cruel moniker) is a recent transplant to Brooklyn from rural Virginia. Lonely and aloof, she decides to take her passion—art—to a new level and follow the rules that her grandmother (also an artist) lived by. Paige luckily falls in with a group of similarly artistic kids, and they become a tight circle. In this bunch, Paige meets Gabe, a handsome young writer whose love for the written word rivals her love for art. The group spends their days wandering the city, improvising thoughtful, random acts of art that they hope will touch those around them. In a story-within-a-story, readers are made privy to Paige's sketchbook, exposing with her innermost thoughts, even as they join her quest for identity and belonging. Paige's sketches are soft and expressive, and Gulledge does an admirable job of providing insight into Paige's musings, creating a very intimate ambiance for this well-fleshed-out character. The artist masterfully commands her piece, creating a cohesive and fluid work that cascade smoothly along. Teens are sure to relate to this wallflower who blooms—gloriously. (Graphic fiction. 13 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

Starred review from July 1, 2011

Gr 7 Up-When 16-year-old Paige is transplanted from Virginia to Brooklyn, her sketchbook is her only friend. She commits to draw a few pages each week, "No more excuses." This is her vehicle for self-exploration as she finds her place in a new environment. Her sketchbook spans a period of eight months and is divided into a set of nine "rules," and includes images of herself and her quest to answer the question, "Who am I?" The journal chronicles her developing friendships, a budding romance, her relationship with her mother, and her increasing ability to take risks and to explore new means of expressing herself. The book's trim size allows for ample visual expression and development of concepts. Realistic black-and-white drawings and excellent use of panel size, placement, and pacing add to the book's appeal. Gulledge is a master of both words and images. She brilliantly portrays poignant emotions: twisting ink falling from Paige's head as she searches for ideas, carrying her heart through an expanse of banana peels, her sneakers in a crowd of Ugg boots, a mouth stitched shut, and her silhouette from the rooftop with the Big Dipper appearing to fall from her hand-all make her loneliness palpable. Gulledge's turns of phrase are equally intriguing. Terms such as "agents of whimsy," "clickage," and "fluent in Paige" give equal weight to both imaginative text and image. The illustration for "I am a redhead island" is spot-on. This self-deprecating, humorous, and heartfelt story will resonate with readers.-Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2011
Grades 7-11 When she moves with her parents to Brooklyn from western Virginia, teen artist Paige learns how to respond to an array of anxieties in her adolescent life. Not only does she begin to take her art seriously; she steps out of her habitual shyness to make friends, confront her mother about her disguise of contentment, and relax enough to respond to romantic overtures from a new peer. Flowing in dynamic unity with the text, Gulledges art is a delight: metaphor and simile are intertwined visually with realistic scenes of Paige at the museum, in school, and hanging out in the park and in coffee shops with her new buddies. Although the book is in black and white, the many references to color light the minds eye rather than frustrate through its physical absence on the page. Paige serves as a reflection of and inspiration to readers who might see themselves as nascent artists, shy introverts ready to blossom, or youths on the brink of maturity. An excellent crossover suggestion for a wider range of readers than just graphic-novel fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2011
A move from Virginia to Brooklyn has sixteen-year-old Paige questioning why she's perpetually cast in the role of the "quiet redhead who draws stuff." Determined to find the "laughing and screaming and scheming and daydreaming" side of herself, she purchases a new sketchbook: "I want to get to know this other me, but I don't know her well enough yet to be her all the time. So for now she'll only live on paper." As Paige opens up in her drawings -- pouring out her doubts and insecurities -- she slowly but surely begins to face them. Along the way, she makes new friends, confronts her perfectionist mother, and takes her art to the streets. Gulledge has crafted a protagonist who's introspective with a capital I, and she conveys her character's thoughts and emotions in ways that are fresh but never feel forced, (e.g., Paige refers to herself as "a redheaded island" and says she suffers from "Jane Eyre Complex: when a plain, ordinary girl hopes someone will notice her awesomeness and pluck her from obscurity"). That same easy, organic quality is found in the book's design: the story panels and Paige's sketches blend and interact effortlessly. It all makes for a truly fresh coming-of-age -- graphic -- novel. tanya d. auger

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2011
Sixteen-year-old Paige wants to find the "laughing and screaming and scheming and daydreaming" side of herself. She purchases a new sketchbook and opens up in her drawings. She also makes new friends and takes her art to the streets. Gulledge conveys her introspective character's emotions in ways that are fresh and unforced. The story panels and Paige's sketches work together effortlessly.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)