Mall Goth

July 1, 2023
A high school girl is unhappy about starting over in a new town and school, but she finds solace at the local mall. It's 2003, and 15-year-old, proudly out bisexual Liv Holme is struggling after her family's move. Navigating high school is hard enough, especially since being bullied at her old school after the other girls found out about her crush on Angelina Jolie has left Liv feeling defensive. On top of that, her parents' marriage is in trouble, and her father is gone a lot. But Liv enjoys hanging out at the mall where her mother works and where she meets some fellow goths who go to her school. Poetry lover Liv also receives attention and support from Mr. Trent, her English teacher: He goes out of his way to compliment her, gives her a copy of Lolita, and chats with her online outside of school hours. Over time, Mr. Trent's behavior makes Liv increasingly uncomfortable, and she struggles with intense feelings she doesn't know how to handle. Liv's emotional struggles, vividly shown in the expressive art, will feel relatable to many readers. Leth's clean, uncluttered illustrations expertly transport readers back to early 2000s suburbia through details such as technology, fashion, pop-culture references, and mall storefronts. Sousa's muted color palette adds to the feeling of nostalgia. Liv and most other characters read white. A thoughtful, relationship-driven story. (Graphic fiction. 12-17)

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September 1, 2023

Gr 8 Up-Liv and her mom move to suburban Harbour City where teen social life is centered around the mall. Liv is looking forward to starting over since her goth persona and bisexuality made her a target for bullies at her old school. Readers follow Liv over four months as she tries to adjust to her new town and school. She keeps her guard up, but still connects with other like-minded classmates over video games. Liv's trust is repeatedly tested and broken by a boy who may or may not still be with his girlfriend, Liv's absent and unreliable father, and a teacher who crosses a line. Eventually, Liv finds community and support in a group of friends she can open up to and trust. This graphic novel addresses issues of manipulation, shifting friendships, and family relationships, but does so in a fairly understated way. Although the story is relatable, the characters aren't especially well-developed, making it harder for readers to connect with them. The art's spiky design and limited palette of subdued colors are consistent with the story and work well to communicate Liv's discomfort, her cold surroundings, and the overall Goth tone. Most characters are cued as white. VERDICT Though the book deals with issues familiar to many teens, it lacks character development and a sharp enough look at the situations it addresses.-Carla Riemer

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 18, 2023
In 2003, openly bisexual goth girl Liv Holme, 15, is attending high school in Harbour City following a move with her parents, whose relationship is rocky. After a disastrous first impression at school, Liv soon finds people who understand her, including classmates who share her interests and a supportive English teacher, as well as a place to be herself at the mall where her mother works. But things get complicated when her goth friend Jake starts hitting on her despite being in a relationship with Layla, with whom Liv has established a strong friendship. Worse, she’s embarrassed by her new mall job as a store mascot, and her teacher seems to have ulterior motives for his kindness. Leth (the Mysticons series) utilizes an inviting, flat-colored mix of Archie comics styling and ’90s cartoon aesthetics to craft an early aughts, small-town environment brimming with visual jokes and period-authentic fashion. The creator persuasively presents Liv’s struggles with routine issues including bad jobs, crushes, and friendship drama, as well as serious challenges surrounding parental conflict and predatory behavior, with a mixture of humor and solemnity, making for an impassioned graphic novel. Most characters are portrayed with pale skin. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jennifer Linnan, Linnan Literary.

September 15, 2023
Grades 8-11 When 15-year-old Liv moves to a new town with her mother, she finds solace in the local mall. Her last school was not easy for her, and she has trouble making connections at her new school. She's concerned her bisexual identity will cause other students to exclude her again. At home, her mom is handling everything, and her dad is barely around. Despite her initial fear of opening up, she slowly makes friends who accept her and don't bully her for her sexual identity. Hanging out at the mall and playing video games are her main outlets. However, friends can be just as complicated as being an outcast. In addition to her social problems, the attention of her English teacher in class seems like a balm, but it gradually mutates into something uncomfortable. The early 2000s aesthetic of the comic is well done in its specificity, and Liv's story will be relatable to kids who have felt out of step with their peers.

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