Skim

Set in a 1990s Catholic girls' school, this graphic novel follows Kimberly Cameron, an outsider nicknamed Skim who practices Wicca and navigates a period of social upheaval. After a popular student's boyfriend commits suicide, the school administration and student body react with frantic, organized grieving. Amidst this backdrop, Skim develops a romantic crush on her female English teacher, Ms. Sparks. The narrative uses diary entries and black-and-white brushwork to document Skim’s alienation from her best friend, Lisa, and the messy reality of adolescent depression.

Readers of young adult literature and queer coming-of-age stories find a realistic depiction of teenage isolation here. The book appeals to those interested in how institutional environments handle mental health crisis and social hierarchy. A reader walks away with a clear view of the disconnect between adult-led grief counseling and the private emotional lives of students. It provides a specific look at the intersection of body image, race, and sexuality without relying on tidy resolutions or moral lessons.

Inward-looking, contemplative and thought-provoking; an easy read.

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