'Cross My Heart and Never Lie' is a sweet and gentle coming-of-age, slice-of-life graphic novel for children and teenagers. It is about the lives of contemporary twelve-year-olds, and is set in Norway, but because the struggles of adolescence are universal, it could be set anywhere in the world.
Join Tuva as she records everything, in writing and in art, in her new diary, from August to October, where she navigates: a new grade at school; her two best friends Bao and Linnéa suddenly being distant and breaking up over newfound, differing interests; the pressure to fall in love and get a boyfriend; the pressure to be "mature" and not be "childish" and play in the woods (or the "bog") during breaks anymore; the pressure to be "cool"; the pressure to wear makeup; getting her first bra when she isn't sure she needs one yet; feeling the need to hide her feelings and keep secrets from her loving single dad (he is awesome, not to mention environmentally conscious); and unexpectedly having a crush on a new girl, Mariam, at school.Music (she plays the clarinet (wants to play saxophone) in the school marching band) and music playlists also play a major part in Tuva's life. She loves lasagna as much as Garfield, too!
'Cross My Heart and Never Lie' is all about growing up and dealing with changes. It is a graphic novel that any kid would be happy, proud and relieved to own. It is adorable, wholesome, friendly but not dishonest and unrealistic, and pink, blue and yellow (and green, as well). It is what young people in today's world needs. Influencers, specifically those that give makeup tutorials and dating advice on YouTube, are a thing here.
Oh, goddess. Everything feels like the end of the world when you're that young, doesn't it? I can't imagine what it must be like for them nowadays. I dread to try.
Never stop being young, people! Your life will never be over, not while you are still living it, especially if you really are still young, whether you're twelve or in your thirties. Never rush things! You can "mature" personality-wise anytime you want, and be yourself! Adulthood and maturity are mostly made up social constructs, anyway. They're just numbers, yearly cycles. Be responsible, kind, caring and loving, and keep learning things, as always.
'Cross My Heart and Never Lie' - a nice, warm, beautiful, touching, life-affirming tea and candy break of a book.
'Things I want to do in seventh grade:
1. Write (or draw!!) a whole diary
2. Get a cool look (Goals)
3. Build the best base in the Bog with Bao and Linnéa
4. Go to a sleepover birthday party (Stay up late!)
5. Fall in Love (maybe)'
'Mariam seems really cool... and nice... and we have SO MUCH in common. Well, two things at least. But it feels like more. I don't think ever met someone I wanted to be friends with so badly!
Is that what soul mates are?
Soul mate
(Dad thinks anything to do with souls is stupid, but I think it's nice. Magical, almost.)'
'I never know what to say. This whole boyfriend situation has become such a BIG THING. And it's not just boyfriends anymore either. You have to decide what group you belong to:
Girls who fall in love OR Girls who NEVER fall in love.'
'a PERFECT Saturday
Now I'm sitting on the sofa, writing and eating candy with my dad.' [Candy is among the many sweet tooth things in this book]
'I wonder... can you be in love with a girl and still like BTS?'
'I'm going to STOP acting like a KID and BECOME a TEENAGER.'
'[...] acting like a teenager feels awkward. Almost like a game. I guess I have to keep trying until it feels normal.'
'A weird thing: The more mature I seem to get, the more embarrassed I feel. But maybe that's how it's supposed to be?'
'Me now - Bruised. The last banana that nobody wants.'
From the author at the end: '[...] this book is for you who feel alone in all the madness of growing up.
I'm rooting for you.'
Final Score: 4/5
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