In James Patterson's first highly illustrated 'diary fiction' story for teens, the mega-bestselling author's most endearing and original teen heroine ever proves that everyone can use a helping hand once in a while.
Margaret 'Cuckoo' Clarke recently had a brief stay in a mental institution following an emotional breakdown, but she's turning over a new leaf with her 'Happiness Project'. She's determined to beat down the bad vibes of the Haters, the Terror Teachers, and all of the trials and tribulations of high school by writing and drawing in her diary. And when life gets really tough, she works through her own moments of uncertainty through imaginary conversations with her favourite literary characters.
Cuckoo's also got a nearly impossible mission: she, along with her misfit band of self-deprecating friends (who call themselves 'the Freakshow') decide to bridge the gap between warring cliques and 'bring the Nations together'. Not everyone is so willing to join hands and get along, but Cuckoo never stops smiling... until one of her closest friends, pushed to desperation by a Hater prank, decides that enough is enough.
Homeroom Diaries was such a delightful read! I was surprised by how dark the subject matter got, but it's done with humor and understanding. And the illustrations are great! Maggie, aka Cuckoo, was just released from a 10-day stay at the mental hospital. She had an emotional breakdown after her mother took off and never returned. Now, she's living with a neighbor and is determined (along with her rag-tag group of friends) to do something to make the world, or at least their school, a happier place. All the while, keeping a diary and keeping said diary away from the school counselor who thinks every emotional response is cause for concern.
I really enjoyed Homeroom Diaries. I had never read a graphic novel before, so this was really something different for me. It's not wholly a graphic novel, probably a bit less than half, but it still took some getting use to. I was distracted by the graphics in the beginning. My eyes kept darting back to them while I was reading the text, but after a few chapters I fell into a rhythm. It all kind of reminded me of Lizzie McGuire, with little cartoon Maggie's acting out the story, or depicting some funny extra from her mind.
As for the plot, Homeroom Diaries is, like I said earlier, dark but funny. Maggie is accepting of the fact that she was institutionalized, and is annoyed that now every time she's sad, her counselor wants to send her back. She is allowed to be sad! Especially since someone close to her dies and another someone attempts suicide! See, really dark. Oh, and a boy assaults her. She's not crazy! She's having appropriate emotional responses! But she doesn't let that get her down. Maggie and her friends are super determined to pull something together to join the cliques and make people happier. It does get a bit cheesy toward the end, but I liked it. A lot.
Homeroom Diaries was really good. The format was a bit hard for me to get into at first, but I ended up loving it. The comic bits add so much to the overall story! Although I have to say my favorite page was the faces of Johnny Depp. So random!
