Homebody

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Title:

Homebody

Alternate title:

Home body

Author:

Parish, Theo, author, artist.

Summary:

In their comics debut, Theo Parish masterfully weaves an intimate and defiantly hopeful memoir about the journey one nonbinary person takes to find a home within themself. Combining traditional comics with organic journal-like interludes, Theo takes us through their experiences with the hundred arbitrary and unspoken gender binary rules of high school, from harrowing haircuts and finally the right haircut to the intersection of gender identity and sexuality--and through tiny everyday moments that all led up to Theo finding the term "nonbinary," which finally struck a chord.

Edition:

First Edition.

Physical Description:

211 pages : chiefly color illustrations ; 24 cm

Genre:

Autobiographical comics.

Nonfiction comics.

Queer comics.

Graphic novels.

Comics (Graphic works)

Subject Term:

Cartoonists -- Biography -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Gender-nonconforming people -- Biography -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Gender identity -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Geographic Term:

Great Britain -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Publisher:

HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers,

Publication Date:

2024

ISBN:

9780063319585

9780063319592

Publication Information:

New York, NY : HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2024]

Call Number:

YA PARISH

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003742577	New Young Adult Graphic Novels	PARISH	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

"Have you ever had one of those moments when all of a sudden things become clear...like someone just turned on a light?"

A whole spectrum of people will be drawn to Theo's storytelling, from trans or questioning teens and adults, to folks who devoured Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe or The Fire Never Goes Out by ND Stevenson, to any person looking to dive a little deeper into the way gender can shape identity. Throughout the book, Theo's crystal-clear voice reminds the reader that it's okay not to know, it's okay to change your mind, and it's okay to take your time finding your way home.

"We are all just trying to find a place to call our own. We are all deserving of comfort and safety, a place to call home."

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up--In this uplifting graphic memoir, Parish recounts their journey to feel at home in their body and gender identity. Parish begins by examining the messages they heard about gender growing up, both from their parents and from the assumptions other people made about them. After their early attempts to conform to gender norms fail to make them feel authentically seen, Parish begins to experiment with different presentations by portraying characters at comic-cons and participating in role-playing games. When Parish discovers the term nonbinary and finds other people online who share similar experiences with gender, they gain a sense of clarity and relief. Drawn in muted reds, grays, and blues, the appealing, simple art style mirrors the encouraging tone of the memoir, with inspiring messages featuring people of all skin tones, body types, abilities, and gender presentations interspersed with Parish's memories. A recurring image in the novel is Parish drawn with a home for a torso, reflecting the title and theme of feeling at home in one's body. VERDICT The portrayal of gender identity as a journey with no set destination is affirming and reassuring, and this hopeful tone will appeal to teens. Recommended for purchase.--Emily Yates

Publisher's Weekly Review

In this dazzlingly illustrated graphic novel memoir, debut creator Parish presents an earnest portrayal of their experience growing up as a nonbinary transgender person. From navigating gender expectations regarding their hair and clothing choices to everyday social interactions with family and classmates as a teen, this steadily paced work breaks down Parish's recollections of the time it took for them to grow from the person others perceived them as to the one they know they were meant to be. Cleanly lined illustrations in a muted color palette reinforce Parish's remembrances by giving the novel a hazy quality. Sometimes pensive, often affirming interludes by adult Parish, incorporated throughout, imbue the narrative with a meandering lilt that aligns with how the creator describes their journey in opening pages--a scenic route that's reflective of the fact that "for most people, gender is a fixed point on a map... most are lucky enough to be born at the correct destination. For some of us, our starting point is unfamiliar." This deeply relatable exploration of finding oneself and of giving oneself grace when the journey takes longer than expected is ideal for fans of Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer. Ages 14--up. Agent: Lydia Silver, Darley Anderson Literary. (Apr.) ■