Bibliographic Information:
Title: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me
Author and illustrator: Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell
ISBN: 9781626722590
Publisher: First Second
Copyright Date: 2019
Genre: Romance
Format: Graphic novel
Awards or Honors: Harvey Award, Ignatz Award, Eisner Award, Printz honor book
Reading Level/Interest Level: 14+, though some heavy topics mean it may be best for older teens
Plot Summary: Freddy is in love with Laura Dean. But she keeps getting dumped by the effortlessly cool but narcissistic, emotionally manipulative teen. And every time she gets sucked back in to Laura’s orbit, Freddy ends up neglecting her friends, who don’t understand what the fuss is about. When her best friend really needs her, she can barely pay attention. She ends up writing to an advice columnist and visiting a psychic as she navigates some messy situations and learns about friendship, love, and herself.
Anyone who has ever been in a toxic relationship (or known someone in one) will be rooting for Freddy to stand up for herself, and may learn about the importance of friendship along the way.
Author Background: Writer Marika Tamaki grew up in Toronto, and has worked as a writer and performance artist. She has written numerous superhero comics for Marvel as well as many of her own graphic novels, some in collaboration with her cousin, Jillian Tamaki. She now lives in Oakland, Calif. Illustrator Rosemary Valero-O’Connell was born in Minneapolis but raised in Zaragoza, Spain, returning to the U.S. for a BFA in comic arts at the Minneapolis college of art and design. She has received many awards for her work.
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items: This is a beautiful pairing of words and images; Valero-O’Connell’s swoony, realistic images are the perfect backdrop for Tamaki’s punchy, honest dialogue. Over the course of the book, readers grapple with some very real issues, and see Freddy grow as a friend and a person. The diverse cast of characters, of different races, ages, shapes, sexual orientation, and gender identities doesn’t feel performative; it’s a reflection of real life, complex communities. While there is quite a bit of cursing and adult situations depicted, this is a sensitive, thoughtful story that will resonate with anyone who has ever been hurt in love.
Creative Use for a Library Program: Hold a writing workshop for teens where they write to an advice columnist about an issue in their lives. If they’re feeling brave enough, they can share with the other participants and give each other advice. Perhaps a local advice columnist would be willing to come give a short talk/advice. A display in the library could post the anonymous questions afterwards, and there could be space for community members to write their advice as well.
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer: What’s worse than getting dumped? Getting dumped again, and again… by the same person. Will Freddy figure out how to mend her broken heart without breaking it all over again?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: This book was challenged in Corpus Christi, Texas for being pornographic, though it was ultimately not banned (Tabler, 2022). As usual, the complaints are far more dramatic than the reality. The book does portray same sex relationships and the consequences of teen sex, but it is a serious exploration of issues many teens face.
Reason for Inclusion: Romance is a hot topic for teens, and I love this exploration of its dark side. We’ve all been pulled in or besotted by someone and this book shows the consequences both for yourself and those around you.
Want more? Here’s a Booklist interview with Mariko Tamaki:
References
Kirkus (April 1, 2019). Laura Dean keeps breaking up with me [review]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/mariko-tamaki/laura-dean-keeps-breaking-up-with-me/
Tamaki, M. (n.d.). Mariko Tamaki. Retrieved from marikotamaki.com.
Nojadera, A. (n.d.). Laura Dean keeps breaking up with me [review]. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/laura-dean-keeps-breaking-up-with-me
Tabler, B. (January 17, 2022). 4 books the Texas House Committee doesn’t want you to read. Retrieved from https://beforewegoblog.com/texas-house-committee/
Wikipedia (n.d.). Mariko Tamaki. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariko_Tamaki#cite_note-4
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