Book Review: Elle(s): The New Girl by Kid Toussaint and Aveline Stokart

Elle(s): The New Girl

by Kid Toussaint (writer) and Aveline Stokart (YA PB (Graphic Novel) Toussaint)

 

Elle is the “new kid” at her school, and has a little trouble fitting into the social cliques. Mainly because she has six different personalities, most of which only come out and become dominant when she is anxious or stressed. And, unfortunately, in the “new school” environment, that is frequent. Fortunately, she’s got a support structure of a group of new friends, particularly her best friend, Maelys, who recognizes that there’s something different about Elle and wants to help her cope.

 

Writer Kid Toussaint does a great job of capturing modern teenage angst and the struggle to develop a strong, unique personality in an environment encouraging conformity. And artist Aveline Stokart does an incredible, beautiful job with their painted artwork, creating a lush, detailed world, people with distinctive characters. Elle’s six different personalities (referred to as “moods”) are denoted by six different hair colors and mood/color palettes. There are also shadings of paranormal elements, as some of the latent personalities wish to take over from Elle’s normal default mood.

 

I strongly recommend this graphic novel, and look forward to additional forthcoming volumes in what is planned to be a series.

 

( official Aveline Stokart web site ) | ( official Kid Toussaint Instagram feed )

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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