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Outline of the article ---------------------- H1: Drama by Raina Telgemeier: A Graphic Novel Review H2: Introduction H3: Who is Raina Telgemeier? H3: What is Drama about? H2: Main Body H3: Why is Drama a popular graphic novel? H4: The plot and the characters H4: The art and the style H4: The themes and the messages H3: What are some of the challenges and controversies that Drama faced? H4: The inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters H4: The banning and censoring of the book H4: The criticism and backlash from some readers H2: Conclusion H3: Summary of the main points H3: Recommendation and rating --- # Drama by Raina Telgemeier: A Graphic Novel Review ## Introduction If you are looking for a fun, colorful, and engaging graphic novel that explores the joys and challenges of middle school theater, you might want to check out Drama by Raina Telgemeier. This book is a New York Times bestseller, a Stonewall Honor Book, and a winner of multiple awards, including the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens. It is also one of the most frequently challenged books in recent years, due to its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. In this article, we will review Drama by Raina Telgemeier and discuss why it is a popular and controversial graphic novel. ### Who is Raina Telgemeier? Raina Telgemeier is an American cartoonist and author who is known for her graphic memoirs and novels for young readers. She was born in San Francisco in 1977 and grew up reading comics, especially those by Charles M. Schulz, Lynda Barry, and Matt Groening. She studied illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and began her career as a webcomic artist. She also adapted and illustrated four graphic novels based on Ann M. Martin's The Baby-sitters Club series. Her first original graphic memoir, Smile, was published in 2010 and became a huge success. It tells the story of her dental problems and personal struggles during her adolescence. It won the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. Her second graphic memoir, Sisters, was published in 2014 and follows her relationship with her younger sister Amara during a road trip. It also won the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens and was a New York Times bestseller. Her third graphic memoir, Guts, was published in 2019 and deals with her anxiety and stomach issues as a child. It also became a New York Times bestseller and won the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids. Besides her graphic memoirs, Telgemeier also wrote and illustrated two original graphic novels: Drama, which was published in 2012, and Ghosts, which was published in 2016. Both books are fiction but draw on her personal experiences and interests. Drama is inspired by her love of theater and musicals, while Ghosts is influenced by her fascination with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and her family's history of cystic fibrosis. Telgemeier's books have been praised for their humor, honesty, relatability, diversity, and positive messages. They have also been criticized for their simplicity, stereotypes, inaccuracies, and inappropriate content. Telgemeier has said that she writes for herself and her younger self, but she hopes that her books can help other kids feel less alone and more empowered. ### What is Drama about? Drama is a graphic novel that follows Callie, a seventh-grader who loves theater and is part of the stage crew for her school's production of Moon over Mississippi, a fictional musical inspired by Gone with the Wind. Callie is passionate about creating a set that is worthy of Broadway, but she faces many challenges along the way. She has to deal with a tight budget, a lack of carpentry skills, a demanding director, and a rival school that is putting on the same show. Callie also has to navigate her personal life, which is full of drama as well. She has a crush on Greg, an older boy who is the lead actor in the musical, but he is dating Bonnie, the lead actress. She also meets two cute brothers, Jesse and Justin, who join the theater club and become her friends. Jesse is a talented singer and dancer who gets cast as the male lead, while Justin is a charismatic and outgoing boy who helps out with the costumes and makeup. Callie soon develops feelings for Jesse, but she is confused when he rejects her kiss. She later finds out that he is gay and has a crush on Justin, who is also gay but not out yet. Callie learns to accept Jesse and Justin's sexuality and supports them as they face their own challenges. Jesse has to deal with his homophobic parents who disapprove of his involvement in theater and his identity. Justin has to deal with his fear of coming out and his insecurity about his appearance. Callie also learns to appreciate her other friends, such as Liz and Matt, who are loyal and helpful members of the stage crew. She also learns to respect herself and her talents, and not to settle for less than what she deserves. Drama is a graphic novel that celebrates theater, friendship, diversity, and self-expression. It is a story that shows the joys and difficulties of being a middle schooler who loves theater and wants to find love. ## Main Body ### Why is Drama a popular graphic novel? Drama is a popular graphic novel for many reasons. One of them is the plot and the characters, which are engaging, realistic, and relatable. #### The plot and the characters The plot of Drama is fast-paced, fun, and full of twists and turns. It captures the excitement and the stress of putting on a school musical, as well as the drama that happens behind the scenes. It also depicts the ups and downs of middle school life, such as crushes, friendships, rivalries, family issues, and identity crises. The plot keeps the readers hooked and curious about what will happen next. The characters of Drama are diverse, complex, and likable. They have distinct personalities, backgrounds, interests, and goals. They also have flaws, conflicts, and growth. They are not stereotypes or clichés, but realistic and believable middle schoolers who face real-life problems and emotions. The readers can empathize with them and root for them. Some of the main characters are: - Callie: The protagonist of Drama, Callie is a creative, enthusiastic, and optimistic girl who loves theater and wants to make the best set ever for her school's musical. She is also a hopeless romantic who has crushes on different boys but doesn't know how to express her feelings or handle rejection. She is sometimes naive, impulsive, and insecure, but she is also brave, loyal, and supportive of her friends. - Jesse: One of Callie's love interests, Jesse is a handsome, talented, and kind boy who joins the theater club as an actor. He is gay but closeted because of his conservative parents who don't accept him for who he is. He likes Justin but doesn't know how to tell him or his family. He is sometimes shy, reserved, and scared, but he is also confident, expressive, and courageous on stage. --- - but he is also smart, creative, and loyal to his brother and friends. - Liz: Callie's best friend and fellow stage crew member, Liz is a hard-working, responsible, and organized girl who helps Callie with the set design and construction. She is also a good student who cares about her grades and her future. She is sometimes bossy, strict, and stressed, but she is also caring, helpful, and supportive of Callie and the theater club. - Matt: Callie's other friend and fellow stage crew member, Matt is a friendly, easy-going, and laid-back boy who helps Callie with the set design and construction. He is also a good musician who plays the piano and the guitar. He is sometimes lazy, careless, and forgetful, but he is also fun, cheerful, and generous to Callie and the theater club. There are also other characters who play important roles in the story, such as: - Greg: The lead actor of the musical and Callie's first crush, Greg is a handsome, popular, and confident boy who plays Rhett Butler. He is also a jerk who cheats on his girlfriend Bonnie with Callie and then dumps her for another girl. He is arrogant, selfish, and insensitive to Callie and the theater club. - Bonnie: The lead actress of the musical and Greg's girlfriend, Bonnie is a beautiful, talented, and ambitious girl who plays Scarlett O'Hara. She is also a diva who demands special treatment and attention from everyone. She is rude, snobby, and jealous of Callie and the theater club. - West: The director of the musical and Callie's mentor, West is a cool, creative, and inspiring teacher who loves theater and musicals. He is also a perfectionist who expects high standards and performance from everyone. He is supportive, encouraging, and challenging to Callie and the theater club. The plot and the characters of Drama make it a popular graphic novel that appeals to many readers who enjoy stories about theater, friendship, romance, and self-discovery. #### The art and the style Another reason why Drama is a popular graphic novel is the art and the style, which are colorful, expressive, and dynamic. --- - and grays to show the sadness and loneliness of some characters. The art also uses different shades and tones to create contrast and depth for different elements. For example, it uses light and dark colors to show the difference between the foreground and the background; bright and dull colors to show the difference between the main and the minor characters; saturated and desaturated colors to show the difference between the reality and the fantasy. The style of Drama is simple, clear, and lively. It uses a cartoon-like style that is easy to read and understand. It also uses a variety of techniques to convey emotions and actions. For example, it uses facial expressions and body language to show the feelings and personalities of the characters; speech bubbles and sound effects to show the dialogue and the noises of the scenes; panel layouts and transitions to show the pace and the sequence of the events; symbols and metaphors to show the thoughts and the dreams of the characters. The art and the style of Drama make it a popular graphic novel that appeals to many readers who enjoy visual storytelling that is colorful, expressive, and dynamic. #### The themes and the messages Another reason why Drama is a popular graphic novel is the themes and the messages, which are relevant, diverse, and positive. The themes of Drama are varied, but they all relate to the experiences and challenges of middle schoolers who love theater. Some of the themes are: - Theater: The main theme of Drama is theater, which is shown as a fun, creative, and rewarding activity that brings joy and meaning to many characters. Theater is also shown as a challenging, demanding, and competitive activity that requires hard work, dedication, and teamwork from everyone. Theater is also shown as a way of expressing oneself, exploring one's identity, and finding one's voice. - Friendship: Another theme of Drama is friendship, which is shown as a vital, supportive, and diverse relationship that helps many characters cope with their problems and achieve their goals. Friendship is also shown as a complex, dynamic, and sometimes difficult relationship that involves trust, honesty, respect, and communication. Friendship is also shown as a way of learning from others, growing with others, and having fun with others. --- - and heartbreak. Romance is also shown as a way of discovering oneself, expressing oneself, and finding happiness with others. - Diversity: Another theme of Drama is diversity, which is shown as a normal, positive, and enriching aspect of life that embraces different people, cultures, and perspectives. Diversity is also shown as a challenging, controversial, and sometimes oppressive aspect of life that faces discrimination, prejudice, and injustice. Diversity is also shown as a way of celebrating oneself, respecting others, and creating harmony with others. The messages of Drama are varied, but they all relate to the values and lessons that middle schoolers who love theater can learn from the story. Some of the messages are: - Be yourself: One of the messages of Drama is to be yourself, which means to accept yourself for who you are, to express yourself in your own way, and to pursue your own passions and dreams. This message is shown through many characters who are true to themselves and their identities, such as Callie, Jesse, Justin, Liz, Matt, and West. This message is also shown through many characters who struggle with being themselves and their identities, such as Greg, Bonnie, Jesse's parents, and some of the bullies. - Be respectful: Another message of Drama is to be respectful, which means to treat others with kindness, courtesy, and dignity, regardless of their differences or opinions. This message is shown through many characters who are respectful to others and their choices, such as Callie, Jesse, Justin, Liz, Matt, West, and some of the teachers. This message is also shown through many characters who are disrespectful to others and their choices, such as Greg, Bonnie, Jesse's parents, some of the bullies, and some of the censors. --- - such as Callie, Jesse, Justin, Liz, Matt, West, and some of the actors and singers. This message is also shown through many characters who are creative in their solutions and challenges, such as Callie, Jesse, Justin, Liz, Matt, West, and some of the stage crew members. - Be positive: Another message of Drama is to be positive, which means to have a hopeful, optimistic, and cheerful attitude towards life and its difficulties. This message is shown through many characters who are positive in their outlook and actions, such as Callie, Jesse, Justin, Liz, Matt, West, and some of the teachers and students. This message is also shown through many characters who are positive in their feedback and encouragement, such as Callie, Jesse, Justin, Liz, Matt, West, and some of the theater club members. The themes and the messages of Drama make it a popular graphic novel that appeals to many readers who enjoy stories that are relevant, diverse, and positive. ### What are some of the challenges and controversies that Drama faced? Drama is a popular graphic novel, but it is also a controversial one. It has faced many challenges and controversies from different groups and individuals who have objected to its content and themes. Some of these challenges and controversies are: #### The inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters One of the main challenges and controversies that Drama faced is the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. The book features two gay characters, Jesse and Justin, who are brothers and love interests for Callie. The book also features a scene where Jesse kisses Callie but then tells her that he is gay. The book also features a scene where Justin comes out to his friends and reveals that he likes Jesse. The book also features a scene where Jesse and Justin perform a romantic duet on stage. --- - and relatable, and that it shows the diversity and complexity of human sexuality and identity. They have also said that the book is positive and empowering, and that it shows the acceptance and support of LGBTQ+ people and their choices. They have also said that the book is educational and inspiring, and that it helps young readers understand and appreciate LGBTQ+ people and their issues. Some people have criticized Drama for its representation and inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. They have said that the book is inappropriate and offensive, and that it exposes young readers to sexual and immoral content. They have also said that the book is confusing and misleading, and that it promotes homosexuality and gender confusion among young readers. They have also said that the book is biased and agenda-driven, and that it pushes a political and social ideology that goes against their beliefs and values. #### The banning and censoring of the book Another challenge and controversy that Drama faced is the banning and censoring of the book by some schools, libraries, and organizations. The book has been banned or challenged in many places across the United States, such as Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Utah, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee, Kansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine. The book has also been banned or challenged in some places outside the United States, such as Canada. --- - and moral views and values. They have also said that the book is inappropriate and irrelevant for the educational and literary purposes of schools and libraries. Some people have opposed the banning and censoring of Drama for various reasons. They have said that the book is suitable and beneficial for young readers because of its artistic and literary merit. They have also said that the book is respectful and tolerant of different people and perspectives, and that it fosters diversity and inclusion. They have also said that the book is appropriate and relevant for the educational and literary purposes of schools and libraries, and that it supports the freedom of expression and information. #### The criticism and backlash from some readers Another challenge and controversy that Drama faced is the criticism and backlash from some readers who disliked or hated the book. The book has received many negative reviews and comments from some readers who expressed their dissatisfaction and disappointment with the book. Some of these reviews and comments can be found on websites such as Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, Common Sense Media, etc. --- - and irritating, and that it has too many characters and subplots. They have also said that the book is disappointing and unsatisfying, and that it has a bad ending and no resolution. Some people have also expressed their dislike or hatred for Drama for various reasons. They have said that they hate the book because of its LGBTQ+ characters and themes. They have also said that they hate the book because of its positive messages and values. They have also said that they hate the book because of its popularity and success. ## Conclusion In conclusion, Drama by Raina Telgemeier is a popular and controversial graphic novel that tells the story of Callie, a seventh-grader who loves theater and is part of the stage crew for her school's musical. The book has many strengths and weaknesses, such as: - Strengths: The plot and the characters are engaging, realistic, and relatable; the art and the style are colorful, expressive, and dynamic; the themes and the messages are relevant, diverse, and positive. - Weaknesses: The plot and the characters are boring, predictable, and unrealistic; the art and the style are simple, clear, and lively; the themes and the messages are inappropriate, offensive, and biased. The book has also faced many challenges and controversies from different groups and individuals who have objected to its content and themes. Some of these challenges and controversies are: - The inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes - The banning and censoring of the book - The criticism and backlash from some readers The book has also received many praises and supports from different groups and individuals who have appreciated its content and themes. Some of these praises and supports are: --- - The artistic and literary merit of the book - The positive messages and values of the book - The freedom of expression and information of the book Drama by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel that can be enjoyed by many readers who love theater, friendship, romance, and self-expression. It is also a graphic novel that can be challenged by many readers who dislike or disagree with its portrayal of LGBTQ+ people, issues, and perspectives. It is a graphic novel that