Sunny. Rainbow! Volume 1. Illustrated by Gloomy. Graphix, 2024. 978-1-516-07731-1. 209 p. $25.18. Grades 8-12.

In Rainbow Volume 1 we meet Boo who is a high school student with bright pink hair, a complicated home life, and an extremely vivid imagination. When she sees the new student Mimi punch a student in the hallway, she has to deal with this new feeling she has for Mimi. Things get even more complicated when Mimi comes into the cafe where Boo works. Boo now is dealing with something new, these feelings she might have for Mimi as well as dealing with anxiety, school, work and an alcoholic mother. It all comes to a head when Boo’s mom ends up in the hospital, and Boo calls Mimi out of desperation because she doesn’t have anyone else. Will Boo lean into these feelings that she has for Mimi? Or will her vivid imagination cause her to never face reality?

THOUGHTS: This is very hard to read at times because there really isn’t a single adult in Boo’s life who is helping her. She is very clearly left on her own to handle everything and it can be frustrating when there are a handful of adults who could help her out and they just don’t. She does have a supportive boss, but Boo’s boss never really seems to catch on that something isn’t right. The situation with her mother is very toxic and unhealthy and may be upsetting to some readers. There is no on page romance; however, it is very clear that Boo is dealing with her sexuality and coming to terms with it. The illustrations are beautiful and really add to the dreaminess of the story (and how Boo sees the world), and the characters will make you want to come back for more. Would be a great addition to a high school collection or even for some 8th grade students (just be warned of the trigger warnings before handing to a student). 

Graphic Novel