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Buckle Up
Figuring out family is no easy street, especially in a divorce. Perfect for fans of New Kid and Smile , this contemporary graphic novel introduces a young boy navigating life with his dad, one car ride at a time.
Lonnie is going through big changes in his life—with his parents newly divorced, he's trying to figure out his new normal. He likes living with his mom and sister, but misses spending time with his father—and the short drives to and from school just aren't enough.
His dad is determined to make every moment count, relying on the car rides to talk about all of the big things that are hard to talk about elsewhere—divorce, sexuality, racism and more. As Lonnie gets used to this new dynamic and hard conversations, will he be better able to connect to his dad? Or will this new family structure force them even further apart?
Lonnie is going through big changes in his life—with his parents newly divorced, he's trying to figure out his new normal. He likes living with his mom and sister, but misses spending time with his father—and the short drives to and from school just aren't enough.
His dad is determined to make every moment count, relying on the car rides to talk about all of the big things that are hard to talk about elsewhere—divorce, sexuality, racism and more. As Lonnie gets used to this new dynamic and hard conversations, will he be better able to connect to his dad? Or will this new family structure force them even further apart?
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 27, 2024
5 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Lindell
19 books28 followersLawrence Lindell is an award winning cartoonist, musician, artist and educator from California. He co-founded Laneha House.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 12, 2024
The story had a good pace and The topics of conversation were realistic, with recently divorced parents something that happens in life, it gave the kids perceptive great, made it a relatable character. I let my son take a peak at this story and he said the art was good and he enjoyed how the boys view.
November 2, 2024
Lonnie's parents are recently divorced, and he's still getting used to splitting time between two different houses- one with his mom and older sister, one with his dad. He's still getting used to being picked up by alternating parents from school, and he's trying to hide these facts from his friends. This short, tender story uses the framing device of these car rides to show Lonnie facing some weighty conversations with his parents. The majority of the book takes place in the car and I really loved seeing how Lonnie learned to speak up for himself, to work through problems, and verbalize his emotions. Highly recommend for elementary school readers, especially ones experiencing big feelings.
March 14, 2025
This was a very quick read! The panels are a little repetitive but did not distract from the sweet story of a boy getting used to his household splitting up.
February 15, 2024
As a huge fan of comics and graphic novels, this book was a 5 star book for me.
I loved how the focus of this book was having tough conversations, especially conversations that adults are not accustomed to having with their children. The accountability even the father had to take when Lonnie expressed certain emotions or thoughts about the things he’s heard his father say.
Even in the facial expressions and body language of this book, translated over so well. You could tell what Lonnie and his dad were feeling even without words.
This book is perfect for parents with children, especially knowing that they’ll grow up and these conversations need to be had at some point.
I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book.
I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through NetGalley
I loved how the focus of this book was having tough conversations, especially conversations that adults are not accustomed to having with their children. The accountability even the father had to take when Lonnie expressed certain emotions or thoughts about the things he’s heard his father say.
Even in the facial expressions and body language of this book, translated over so well. You could tell what Lonnie and his dad were feeling even without words.
This book is perfect for parents with children, especially knowing that they’ll grow up and these conversations need to be had at some point.
I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book.
I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through NetGalley
October 14, 2024
Book 182 of 300 ~ 2024
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I felt for the two kiddos, especially the poor son who kept acting out because he was embarrassed to be the only kid whose parents late divorced.
Simple illustrations but story moved along well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book182of300 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I felt for the two kiddos, especially the poor son who kept acting out because he was embarrassed to be the only kid whose parents late divorced.
Simple illustrations but story moved along well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book182of300 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
January 22, 2024
I definitely will be recommending this book to my middle grade kiddos!!! These students are dealing with so many issues outside of the classroom and if I can send a book their way to help them deal with a difficult topic, I certainly will do so! I can see some of my students in the characters displayed in this book. I want them to know that they are not alone in dealing with the feelings that they have and hopefully shed some light on some answers to their questions. It’s so important for these students to see themselves in the books that they read. I want to thank NetGalley for the ARC given to me. It was a great book and I want to share it with others!!!
April 21, 2024
Thank to the publisher for a review copy
This book follows middle school Lonnie during his after school car drives with his dad as he deals with his big feelings about his parents divorce
I thought this was really well done and something a lot of kiddos can probably see themselves in
This book follows middle school Lonnie during his after school car drives with his dad as he deals with his big feelings about his parents divorce
I thought this was really well done and something a lot of kiddos can probably see themselves in
January 19, 2026
Good topic on divorce and caring parents, especially the relationship a Black dad has with his son.
however very simple dialogue and not my favorite art style. I have seen and read graphic novels that address everything this book does better
however very simple dialogue and not my favorite art style. I have seen and read graphic novels that address everything this book does better
November 5, 2023
A MG graphic novel about growing up, changes and growth from the view of a car.
🚗
Lonnie isn’t happy about his parents’ divorce. He’s the only kid in his class whose parents are t together anymore and he’s getting teased about it. He’s annoyed by his sister, struggling with his identity, his anger and his new way of life. As his mom and dad drive him around, we see Lonnie’s struggles and how he works through it.
🚗
What I didn’t like: the artwork and the conversation about the dad saying having two moms is odd. Yes, Lonnie stood up for them and it lead to a great conversation, but the whole thing made me uncomfortable until it got to the dad being more accepting.
What I liked: how honest both parents were with Lonnie and how he expressed himself as well. It felt very real, particularly having to attend family therapy. Let’s normalize that as something all families could do.
This graphic novel releases August 27.
CW: racism, divorce (theme), homophobia
🚗
Lonnie isn’t happy about his parents’ divorce. He’s the only kid in his class whose parents are t together anymore and he’s getting teased about it. He’s annoyed by his sister, struggling with his identity, his anger and his new way of life. As his mom and dad drive him around, we see Lonnie’s struggles and how he works through it.
🚗
What I didn’t like: the artwork and the conversation about the dad saying having two moms is odd. Yes, Lonnie stood up for them and it lead to a great conversation, but the whole thing made me uncomfortable until it got to the dad being more accepting.
What I liked: how honest both parents were with Lonnie and how he expressed himself as well. It felt very real, particularly having to attend family therapy. Let’s normalize that as something all families could do.
This graphic novel releases August 27.
CW: racism, divorce (theme), homophobia
January 30, 2024
Lonnie's family is changing. His parents have divorced and he and his sister are fighting a lot. He misses his dad and the way things used to be. The short rides to school just aren't the same. He's just trying to figure out life and how to navigate his new normal.
What I liked about this book: I think this book has potential to help out some younger middle grade readers who are going through a similar situation in their families. I liked that the family eventually pursues therapy together to figure out how to co-exist post-divorce. I also liked the fact that the bulk of the story takes place during car rides. It helps keep things moving.
What I didn't like: The artwork felt very unfinished and repetitive. I also didn't enjoy how it seemed that the story seemed to attempt to shoe-horn in any and all issues that could even potentially come up in a family (divorced or not) and it didn't always feel organic or realistic.
What I liked about this book: I think this book has potential to help out some younger middle grade readers who are going through a similar situation in their families. I liked that the family eventually pursues therapy together to figure out how to co-exist post-divorce. I also liked the fact that the bulk of the story takes place during car rides. It helps keep things moving.
What I didn't like: The artwork felt very unfinished and repetitive. I also didn't enjoy how it seemed that the story seemed to attempt to shoe-horn in any and all issues that could even potentially come up in a family (divorced or not) and it didn't always feel organic or realistic.
April 22, 2024
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Lonnie 's parents have recently divorced, and he is struggling with the transition. He and his sister Nicole fight quite a bit, but do try to listen to their mother when she tells them to knock it off. One of the particularly difficult things about the divorce is after school pick up. Lonnie wants to be dropped off and picked up at a corner a bit away from school, because he feels like the other students have too many questions about why his parents no longer pick him up together. He tells his father that he is the only child in his class whose parents are divorced. At the beginning of the book, he doesn't speak to his father a lot as they shuttle back and forth; we see a lot of Lonnie's internal monologue with himself. As he and his father spend more time together, sometimes getting food or visiting the comic book store together, Lonnie shares more with his father about what is going on in his life. In addition to the divorce and the emotional difficulties this has caused for Lonnie, they discuss detentions that Lonnie has assigned for teasing a boy who was bullying him and the trouble he is in for forging his mother's signature. We see an exploration of how Lonnie and his father feel about the fact that one of the boys in his class, Ray, has two mothers. The father thinks this is not "the norm", which makes Lonnie worry, since he thinks he might be bisexual. The father prints out a pamphlet to share with his son, and they can discuss the issue. The topic of family therapy comes up as well. And the end of the book, Lonnie is comfortable enough with his family's situation to be picked up at the front of the school building.
Strengths: There are not as many books about tweens navigating life with divorced parents as you would think, so this fills a definite need. Urban's Weekends with Max and His Dad works for slightly younger readers, and Levy's The Jake Show for slightly older ones. Lonnie's internal dialogue is nicely show in outlines of the character or in monochrome drawings, and contrasts nicely with what he actually says to his father. The examples of acting out are intriguing, and the discussion of family therapy helpful to young readers who might be in a similar circumstance.
Weaknesses: At my school, it seems like more students live in single parent families than two parent ones, so it seemed unusual that Lonnie would be so ashamed that his parents were divorced. Also, since most of the book deals with emotional issues being discussed during car rides, this is a rather slow moving story.
What I really think: The most obvious read alike for Buckle Up is Reynold's Stuntboy books or Sharp's Just Pretend, but since this is a graphic novel, there is a built in audience for it no matter what the content.
Lonnie 's parents have recently divorced, and he is struggling with the transition. He and his sister Nicole fight quite a bit, but do try to listen to their mother when she tells them to knock it off. One of the particularly difficult things about the divorce is after school pick up. Lonnie wants to be dropped off and picked up at a corner a bit away from school, because he feels like the other students have too many questions about why his parents no longer pick him up together. He tells his father that he is the only child in his class whose parents are divorced. At the beginning of the book, he doesn't speak to his father a lot as they shuttle back and forth; we see a lot of Lonnie's internal monologue with himself. As he and his father spend more time together, sometimes getting food or visiting the comic book store together, Lonnie shares more with his father about what is going on in his life. In addition to the divorce and the emotional difficulties this has caused for Lonnie, they discuss detentions that Lonnie has assigned for teasing a boy who was bullying him and the trouble he is in for forging his mother's signature. We see an exploration of how Lonnie and his father feel about the fact that one of the boys in his class, Ray, has two mothers. The father thinks this is not "the norm", which makes Lonnie worry, since he thinks he might be bisexual. The father prints out a pamphlet to share with his son, and they can discuss the issue. The topic of family therapy comes up as well. And the end of the book, Lonnie is comfortable enough with his family's situation to be picked up at the front of the school building.
Strengths: There are not as many books about tweens navigating life with divorced parents as you would think, so this fills a definite need. Urban's Weekends with Max and His Dad works for slightly younger readers, and Levy's The Jake Show for slightly older ones. Lonnie's internal dialogue is nicely show in outlines of the character or in monochrome drawings, and contrasts nicely with what he actually says to his father. The examples of acting out are intriguing, and the discussion of family therapy helpful to young readers who might be in a similar circumstance.
Weaknesses: At my school, it seems like more students live in single parent families than two parent ones, so it seemed unusual that Lonnie would be so ashamed that his parents were divorced. Also, since most of the book deals with emotional issues being discussed during car rides, this is a rather slow moving story.
What I really think: The most obvious read alike for Buckle Up is Reynold's Stuntboy books or Sharp's Just Pretend, but since this is a graphic novel, there is a built in audience for it no matter what the content.
February 1, 2026
I feel like this is a great book for children of divorce to read... I say "I feel" because I'm not one, so I don't know how good it ACTUALLY would be for one. Just a hunch? I mean, most of my cat books would be great for cat lovers, I *assume* but can't truly know. Maybe there would be some offended by talking animals and would NOT like those?
What sort of nags at me is I feel like I've read more books about children of divorce featuring racial minority groups than white people, though I know some exist. It just feels like "white" books are more likely to ignore real-world representation than books about minorities/women/LGBTQ+ people. I vaguely worry that impressionable young readers I might hand this off to for their reading homework might form an impression that minorities go through divorce more often than white people, even if one book is hardly going to have that effect on someone reading MANY different books regularly.
...I would think? Hmm.
Anyway, story is good, art is a bit simple but seems appropriate, probably worried over nothing and I will continue to get a complete lack of feedback on this beyond that the young reader in question is still interested mostly in dragons (at least, THIS week).
What sort of nags at me is I feel like I've read more books about children of divorce featuring racial minority groups than white people, though I know some exist. It just feels like "white" books are more likely to ignore real-world representation than books about minorities/women/LGBTQ+ people. I vaguely worry that impressionable young readers I might hand this off to for their reading homework might form an impression that minorities go through divorce more often than white people, even if one book is hardly going to have that effect on someone reading MANY different books regularly.
...I would think? Hmm.
Anyway, story is good, art is a bit simple but seems appropriate, probably worried over nothing and I will continue to get a complete lack of feedback on this beyond that the young reader in question is still interested mostly in dragons (at least, THIS week).
January 11, 2024
Buckle Up is a story about a kid with recently divorced parents that (as the title may suggest) takes place mostly in a car. Divorce is hard, especially when you can remember it. Lonnie is angry and embarrassed because of his parents' divorce and how other people feel about it, and is given the space to feel that way, though his troublemaking behavior because of it isn't excused. Mental health and queerness, and the problematic stereotypes of both, were discussed. The father held some ill opinions, but through discussions with Lonnie, his opinions were reformed. I liked Lonnie's relationship with his sister as it felt very realistic--lots of arguments, though they still love each other. I feel as if the mom wasn't as present throughout the book except for the "young, intelligent, and Black" joke. The ending felt like it cut off abruptly. I was expecting more pages when NetGalley wouldn't let me swipe anymore, and then I saw 243/243 at the bottom of the page.
The art style is simple and uses a lot of copy and pasting of panels. I think it is fine in moderation but it was used a LOT in this graphic novel. I know cars (and backgrounds in general) are hard to draw, but most of the backgrounds were white voids. I liked how during arguments, Lonnie and his father appeared to be sitting farther away from each other, but when things are fine they are closer together. I also liked the use of color.
This is a good story for younger kids dealing with divorced parents and other struggles to read. I know I am older than the target demographic, yet I still derived some enjoyment from it--though my issues with the art and the abrupt ending brought it down a few stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The art style is simple and uses a lot of copy and pasting of panels. I think it is fine in moderation but it was used a LOT in this graphic novel. I know cars (and backgrounds in general) are hard to draw, but most of the backgrounds were white voids. I liked how during arguments, Lonnie and his father appeared to be sitting farther away from each other, but when things are fine they are closer together. I also liked the use of color.
This is a good story for younger kids dealing with divorced parents and other struggles to read. I know I am older than the target demographic, yet I still derived some enjoyment from it--though my issues with the art and the abrupt ending brought it down a few stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2024
What a clever way to handle tough topics! In this graphic novel with a variety of sizes of panels and different colored text for different speakers, middle grader Lonnie is struggling to accept his parents' divorce and having two different homes as well as issues of identity, being different from classmates whose parents live together, and how to deal with conflict. These are hard topics, often shunned by parents and their offspring, and after his father picks him up after school each day, Lonnie buckles up for the ride and broaches some of those issues. Many readers will be familiar with the experience of being trapped in the car with a parent and how that affords them the chance to talk things out or simply remain silent and ignore any issues that might be troubling them. Kudos for Lonnie for holding his father accountable for his words and actions, including careless, dismissive remarks about a classmate's two moms and about therapy and mental health. The facial expressions of the characters speak volumes, and this book could serve as a starting place for other families such as Lonnie's as they have those challenging conversations. This is a fast but important read, easily enjoyed by its intended young audience but the adults in their lives as well. I loved how Lonnie's mother reprimanded her son and daughter, Nicole, for calling each other stupid, instead insisting that they are "young, gifted, and Black" (p. 10), and how they pick up on her assessment. While the conversations with Mom driving her children to their destinations aren't as deep as those Lonnie has with his father, they're still important as well.
January 8, 2024
4 stars
Little Lonnie needs a hug, and you will want to give him one so many times while reading his story in this charming middle grade graphic novel!
Lonnie's parents have recently divorced, and his struggle with this is real. This situation is handled so authentically, and I think many young readers (and perhaps their parents/guardians) will also benefit from some good reminders about how difficult this scenario can be for kids. Lonnie's interactions with his mom, dad, and sister (with whom he has the most hilarious fighting method) are at the core of this heartfelt exploration.
One area where I'd have appreciated more focus is in a somewhat difficult exchange between Lonnie and his dad regarding sexuality. It happens quickly, but Lonnie's dad expresses some heteronormative perspectives that lean into the realm of homophobia. While Lonnie does not share this opinion and confidently calls out his dad, I wish this section had been further developed to clarify a fully accepting perspective, especially since there are some also brief mentions of Lonnie's sexuality. For me, this is too big of an issue to be touched on this lightly. I'd have liked a clearer YOU ARE WELCOME HERE thread.
I'm looking forward to sharing all of Lonnie's critical car convos with my students in the near future.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Graphic for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Little Lonnie needs a hug, and you will want to give him one so many times while reading his story in this charming middle grade graphic novel!
Lonnie's parents have recently divorced, and his struggle with this is real. This situation is handled so authentically, and I think many young readers (and perhaps their parents/guardians) will also benefit from some good reminders about how difficult this scenario can be for kids. Lonnie's interactions with his mom, dad, and sister (with whom he has the most hilarious fighting method) are at the core of this heartfelt exploration.
One area where I'd have appreciated more focus is in a somewhat difficult exchange between Lonnie and his dad regarding sexuality. It happens quickly, but Lonnie's dad expresses some heteronormative perspectives that lean into the realm of homophobia. While Lonnie does not share this opinion and confidently calls out his dad, I wish this section had been further developed to clarify a fully accepting perspective, especially since there are some also brief mentions of Lonnie's sexuality. For me, this is too big of an issue to be touched on this lightly. I'd have liked a clearer YOU ARE WELCOME HERE thread.
I'm looking forward to sharing all of Lonnie's critical car convos with my students in the near future.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Graphic for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
December 2, 2023
Lonnie doesn’t like that his parents are divorced, and so he doens’t want anyone to know. He thinks that by having his parents drop him off a block from school that no one will notice that they aren’t doing so together. But the kids find out, and he is embarrassed, and starts acting out, and getting in trouble.
I love how the author draws Lonnie’s thoughts, as he tries to tell his father how he feels. And it is also funny when his mother tells him to stop saying his sister is stupid. That she is young, gifted and black, and they start to use that phrase instead of stupid.
Good story for those who are going through divorce at this age, and those who are not, so they can see how much it hurts. When my best friend in 6th grade had her parents divorce she didn’t tell anyone for years. Her mother thought that the reason no kids came over was because she was embarrassed, and perhaps she was. And when we finally found out we were like, oh, that happens all the time, and it did too.
Kids have no control of what happens to their parents. And this book is a perfect example of how it is best to talk it out, or go to therapy, so everyone can understand how they are feeling.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 27th of August 2024.
I love how the author draws Lonnie’s thoughts, as he tries to tell his father how he feels. And it is also funny when his mother tells him to stop saying his sister is stupid. That she is young, gifted and black, and they start to use that phrase instead of stupid.
Good story for those who are going through divorce at this age, and those who are not, so they can see how much it hurts. When my best friend in 6th grade had her parents divorce she didn’t tell anyone for years. Her mother thought that the reason no kids came over was because she was embarrassed, and perhaps she was. And when we finally found out we were like, oh, that happens all the time, and it did too.
Kids have no control of what happens to their parents. And this book is a perfect example of how it is best to talk it out, or go to therapy, so everyone can understand how they are feeling.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 27th of August 2024.
January 17, 2024
I feel for little Lonnie, he is torn between two houses when he was used to routine & having both parents in the same home. This graphic novel shows how kids are impacted by the decisions of their parents.
Buckle Up is a character driven graphic novel, in the beginning we see Lonnie's sadness viewing a once together family in a portrait, we see he's ashamed of the school seeing he gets dropped off at school by one then get picked up after school by the other parent. He becomes a nervous, stand offish kid while coping with family issues.
I liked the dialogue between his family & the internal dialogue he keeps to himself before he speaks up about it.
Most of the dialogue happens in the car or through text. I saw most conversations between his sister Nicole or his Dad. Although Lonnie had scenes with his Mom I wish I saw more conversations with her as well. Maybe in another novel the audience can in their relationship more in depth, if this gets turned into a series or perhaps a different perspective in Lonnie's life.
I think this graphic novel is a great coming of age story to show all families are different & that's ok. I believe this novel can help kids cope if they are going through a similar situation. I would to read more from these characters if it becomes a series or a collection of Lonnie adventures.
Buckle Up is a character driven graphic novel, in the beginning we see Lonnie's sadness viewing a once together family in a portrait, we see he's ashamed of the school seeing he gets dropped off at school by one then get picked up after school by the other parent. He becomes a nervous, stand offish kid while coping with family issues.
I liked the dialogue between his family & the internal dialogue he keeps to himself before he speaks up about it.
Most of the dialogue happens in the car or through text. I saw most conversations between his sister Nicole or his Dad. Although Lonnie had scenes with his Mom I wish I saw more conversations with her as well. Maybe in another novel the audience can in their relationship more in depth, if this gets turned into a series or perhaps a different perspective in Lonnie's life.
I think this graphic novel is a great coming of age story to show all families are different & that's ok. I believe this novel can help kids cope if they are going through a similar situation. I would to read more from these characters if it becomes a series or a collection of Lonnie adventures.
February 1, 2024
Lawrence Lindell’s graphic novel for grades 2-5 hits on divorce, exploring sexuality, name-calling and sincere apologies and, for the most part, all in discussions among those in cars. I don’t know how many kids will snap to the truth of that, but I can remember how much easier it was to tackle some subjects in the car with my children as we all faced forward than it was to sit face to face on a couch or dining room table! The topics covered by Lindell are important in the lives of families and need to be discussed openly and hopefully, before they become a serious issue, but the book felt a little contrived and like it was working too hard to be sure that some biggies were checked off the list of needed conversations. The realistic graphic panels were well-drawn and supported the dialogue between Lonnie, his sister and parents, however, I never felt terribly connected to any of them. Libraries with ample funds may want to consider this one for their graphic novel collections, but if money is tight, there are others that may meet the same needs. Text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence. Representation: Black family, one classmate has two moms, Lonnie is pondering his own sexuality and currently comes up with bisexual as the way he is feeling, one set of divorced parents.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley.
January 5, 2024
This comic book tries to strike the balance between a child's emotions and the relationship with their parents. I applaud the author for tackling the emotions a child goes through when their parents divorce. I appreciated the inner dialogue Lonnie had with himself, while talking with his dad. At times I thought to myself, "this must be what goes through my son's head when I'm asking him questions and he doesn't want to talk." I also enjoyed the banter Lonnie and Nicole had with each other and how they managed to insult each other in a way their mom didn't pick up on, at first. I can see my own children doing something like that and thinking they pulled a fast one.
I did struggle to identify who each text belonged to at times. And though I know comics are a mix of pictures and text, there seemed to be some "filler" pictures (pictures repeated on the page with no words). I understand it may have been done to illustrate a drawn out silence that can happen in conversations, it caught my attention a few times.
I really appreciated the dad's advice to Lonnie of "mean what you say or don't say it" and how it turned into a lesson for both of them. Overall, I enjoyed the book and my tween, who read the book with me the second time through, also liked it.
I did struggle to identify who each text belonged to at times. And though I know comics are a mix of pictures and text, there seemed to be some "filler" pictures (pictures repeated on the page with no words). I understand it may have been done to illustrate a drawn out silence that can happen in conversations, it caught my attention a few times.
I really appreciated the dad's advice to Lonnie of "mean what you say or don't say it" and how it turned into a lesson for both of them. Overall, I enjoyed the book and my tween, who read the book with me the second time through, also liked it.
January 6, 2024
An engaging and quick read, this well-written story imparts a valuable lesson for both parents and children—emphasizing the importance of refraining from quick judgments and hasty comments. Particularly beneficial for middle schoolers navigating the complexities of newly separated or divorced parents, the narrative also offers support for kids grappling with uncertainty about their own sexuality. The illustrations, while not reaching the heights of fantastical, purposefully maintain a rudimentary style. Diverse drawing techniques distinguish between Lonnie's internal musings and the more detailed depictions of his interactions with family and friends. Notably, the majority of the narrative unfolds within the confines of either his mom's or dad's car, underscoring a symbolic journey throughout the book.
December 4, 2023
A really fun and powerful middle grade novel! 4.5 stars. Something about the artwork was so nostalgic for me and I loved how much it added to the emotion of the story. A fantastic glimpse into the dynamics of divorce. I loved the creativity of the setting of the car tied in with the title. So cute. Honestly I don’t say this often but I feel like it could have been longer but I don’t know if it’s meant to become a series and/or the author wanted to appeal to a younger audience having a shorter page count. Regardless, I’d definitely come back to this author and am so grateful to have received an advanced copy! Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 29, 2024
The narrative voice/Lonnie’s voice and the conversations with his parents, mainly his father, are stellar.
The author gets childhood mischievousness right with the siblings finding a loophole for saying “stupid.” Also, the story demonstrates how kids are more observant than we think when Lonnie questions his father.
Another artist could have helped take this book to another level though the illustrations here do work.
Another nitpick I get Lonnie being bombarded with questions from his classmates about his parents' recent divorce, but I can’t see him being ostracized for being the only kid in school with divorced parents. Kids come from all types of home lives especially single-parent homes.
Overall, I enjoyed the insightful car rides.
The author gets childhood mischievousness right with the siblings finding a loophole for saying “stupid.” Also, the story demonstrates how kids are more observant than we think when Lonnie questions his father.
Another artist could have helped take this book to another level though the illustrations here do work.
Another nitpick I get Lonnie being bombarded with questions from his classmates about his parents' recent divorce, but I can’t see him being ostracized for being the only kid in school with divorced parents. Kids come from all types of home lives especially single-parent homes.
Overall, I enjoyed the insightful car rides.
December 14, 2023
I loved this book! As a retired teacher/counselor I found this to be a valuable book to share with both children and parents as they deal with divorce. The book is very well written in a format (graphic novel) that is appealing to children, is beautifully illustrated with great facial expressions, and divorce is handled in a caring manner.
Lonnie's parents are newly divorced and he now has two homes. Dad drives Lonnie up to and from school every day and during their commute Dad tackles the hard topics like divorce, their new living arrangements, racism, sexuality, getting along with siblings, counseling, and using every available moment to talk & share.
Lonnie's parents are newly divorced and he now has two homes. Dad drives Lonnie up to and from school every day and during their commute Dad tackles the hard topics like divorce, their new living arrangements, racism, sexuality, getting along with siblings, counseling, and using every available moment to talk & share.
December 29, 2023
A solid graphic novel focusing on what it's like for a tween navigating the new "normal" of his life, when his parents get divorced. As a child of divorce, I can totally relate to this character and all the confusing thoughts going through his head. Our house v. Dad's house; thinking everyone is talking about me and my parents' divorce. Learning how to talk to the parents about feelings/confusion etc. I liked how the author used the outline character drawings to represent what thought were going through Lonnie's head. Things he wanted to say out loud but was afraid to. Kids who may be going through a divorce will gravitate to this book.
January 21, 2024
I definitely will be recommending this book to my middle grade kiddos!!! These students are dealing with so many issues outside of the classroom and if I can send a book their way to help them deal with a difficult topic, I certainly will do so! I can see some of my students in the characters displayed in this book. I want them to know that they are not alone in dealing with the feelings that they have and hopefully shed some light on some answers to their questions. It’s so important for these students to see themselves in the books that they read. I want to than NetGalley for the ARC given to me. It was a great book and I want to share it with others!!!
June 2, 2024
These are perfect snapshots of what a kid goes through in a divorce. The pull of big feelings, the confusion of how to react to them, the desire to say or do the right thing to make the parents happy. I think a lot of kids will see themselves in the vulnerable inner emotional life Lonnie shows, the things he's afraid of but isn't sure he's aloud to say. There aren't details of the split, big angry scenes with the parents, just people trying to find the way forward in new ways of living. So much love shines through each family members relationship to Lonnie. In addition to what it will do for kids, it felt like a masterclass for parents struggling with shepherding kids through big changes.
I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley for an honest review.
June 26, 2024
This book hit a lot of meaningful points, but I agree with some other reviewers that the repetitive images didn't necessarily do much and the discussions didn't dive as deeply as I was expecting as someone who also hits on hard topics during car rides. The book ended abruptly, which also confused me.
I liked the illustrations that were Lonnie's inner monologue. That's not a style I'd seen before and thought it really worked. I also liked some of the repetitive phrasing from the mom and dad, like "young, gifted, and Black" and "mean what you say and do," and how those played into the conversations and feelings they all had.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I liked the illustrations that were Lonnie's inner monologue. That's not a style I'd seen before and thought it really worked. I also liked some of the repetitive phrasing from the mom and dad, like "young, gifted, and Black" and "mean what you say and do," and how those played into the conversations and feelings they all had.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
December 14, 2024
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
This was either the October or November pick for the Comix Kids subscription (a definite win!). I really liked this slice of life story with a black, middle grade boy navigating his new reality, divorced parents. Most of the panels take place in the car which serves as a staging ground for tough conversations, conversations in which both the main character and the parents make mistakes but work through it. I also really liked the simplistic style of the art which allowed the content to shrine. The book has been on my classroom shelves for less than two weeks and several students have already read it.
This was either the October or November pick for the Comix Kids subscription (a definite win!). I really liked this slice of life story with a black, middle grade boy navigating his new reality, divorced parents. Most of the panels take place in the car which serves as a staging ground for tough conversations, conversations in which both the main character and the parents make mistakes but work through it. I also really liked the simplistic style of the art which allowed the content to shrine. The book has been on my classroom shelves for less than two weeks and several students have already read it.
September 8, 2025
Not a big fan of this. The concept seemed promising and there were parts I liked. The dad actually tended to have really good advice on things, I liked the idea of everything taking place in the car, and I thought the “young, gifted, and black” bit was funny. I felt like the siblings interacted pretty realistically.
The art was not my favorite. A lot of copy and paste. It felt like too many issues were being dealt with in one go. Honestly the whole thing about Lonnie’s sexuality seemed a little distracting. I had a hard time following the panels of Lonnie’s “inner thoughts.” I felt like the mom had no character dimension. And the ending felt slightly abrupt.
The art was not my favorite. A lot of copy and paste. It felt like too many issues were being dealt with in one go. Honestly the whole thing about Lonnie’s sexuality seemed a little distracting. I had a hard time following the panels of Lonnie’s “inner thoughts.” I felt like the mom had no character dimension. And the ending felt slightly abrupt.
December 4, 2023
I really enjoyed how the story is mostly told through conversations a kid has with his parents while they are going through a divorce. In real life, a lot of our important conversations occur in the car because that's when we're stuck with each other without other distractions.
It's great how you can get the feeling of time changing and the family learning to accept each other and their circumstances.
The pictures were simple but I really liked them, there was a roundness and a brightness that made you feel positive reading this graphic novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
It's great how you can get the feeling of time changing and the family learning to accept each other and their circumstances.
The pictures were simple but I really liked them, there was a roundness and a brightness that made you feel positive reading this graphic novel.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this
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