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The Greatest Thing
A 2023 Lambda Literary Award Finalist
A 2023 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
A 2023 Children's Book Council Young Adult Favorite
It’s the first day of sophomore year, and now that Winifred’s two best (and only) friends have transferred to a private school, she must navigate high school on her own. But she isn’t alone for long. In art class, she meets two offbeat students, Oscar and April. The three bond through clandestine sleepovers, thrift store shopping, and zine publishing. Winifred is finally breaking out of her shell, but there’s one secret she can’t bear to admit to April and Oscar, or even to herself―and this lie is threatening to destroy her newfound friendships.
With breathtaking art and honest storytelling, Sarah Winifred Searle delivers a heartfelt story about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.
A 2023 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
A 2023 Children's Book Council Young Adult Favorite
It’s the first day of sophomore year, and now that Winifred’s two best (and only) friends have transferred to a private school, she must navigate high school on her own. But she isn’t alone for long. In art class, she meets two offbeat students, Oscar and April. The three bond through clandestine sleepovers, thrift store shopping, and zine publishing. Winifred is finally breaking out of her shell, but there’s one secret she can’t bear to admit to April and Oscar, or even to herself―and this lie is threatening to destroy her newfound friendships.
With breathtaking art and honest storytelling, Sarah Winifred Searle delivers a heartfelt story about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2022
About the author
Sarah Winifred Searle
43 books201 followersSarah hails from spooky New England but has since moved to sunny Perth, Australia. She writes and draws comics inspired by history, feelings, and intimacy of all sorts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 459 reviews
February 21, 2022
I often wonder how I would have survived without art in my life. I think it might be the closest thing to magic we have in the world, the ways it can channel emotions, help us communicate complex feelings, and most importantly, the way it can help and heal. The Greatest Thing from author and illustrator Sarah Winifred Searle is a gorgeous graphic novel where art is central to the growing process for the characters while the book itself is also a wonderful expression on the complexity of teenage life. Winifred’s best friends have moved to a private school and she is starting the year alone but making new friends who come together and start a zine while bumbling through teenage life together. Raw and realistic, this is a character driven story that is so delightfully nuanced as it addresses a wide variety of social, emotional and psychological struggles, taking aim to successfully capture the reader’s heart.
The Greatest Thing follows Winifred and her new best friends, April and Oscar as they stumble through their sophomore year. These characters feel very authentic as we experience them in a variety of moods, see their flaws, and find ourselves rooting for them even when we are frustrated with their actions (or inactions). One aspect of this book I greatly appreciated is that the scope of interactions is not confined to just the friends group, with the characters existing in multiple friend circles and other outside interactions. It allows the story to have a very textured and realistic look at high school experiences instead of isolating the primary characters, which also shows how any sense of control over oneself and friends are constantly bombarded with outside influences of opinion, misunderstandings, and more.
Searle juggles the cast quite effectively and this feels like a living, breathing high school society. The teachers, while only having small roles, are also shown to have considerable influences and while characters may resent school, there are moments of clarity when they appreciate the teachers who do have a positive influence and care about the success of their students. This becomes important as there are some pretty heavy topics that crop up through the book, from eating disorders, struggles with identity and sexuality, family problems, and issues of self-harm and depression. While this book can feel like a lot, it also addresses the topics in productive ways and I can see this book being a balm on the soul of a teenager who seeks to feel understood and valid.
YA graphic novels such as this are so important. As in the image above, depictions of characters that you can identify with are really healing and inspiring, and I am particularly moved at how sensitively and productively this book presents characters dealing with understanding themselves. To see discussions on possibly being non-binary, or bisexual, and see these converstations happen in supportive friend groups is really lovely, and as always I wish I had books like this when I was a teenager. I particularly enjoyed how fluid their sexualities were, with characters going through uncertainties and liking characters of either gender. Pan Enby here, more of this please!
Especially this book because the emphasis on art is wonderful. There is an endearing metafictional aspect of the book as the friends zine figures into the book and we get to read several issues of it (written by Oscar, illustrated by Fred, published by April). In these comics we see the characters creating metaphors for their own inner struggles and trying to contextualize each other through their artistic expressions. I also loved the way Searles includes instructions on how to make your own zine by pretty naturally including them in the story. There’s a bit of a vibe that reminded me how much I loved The Plain Janes.
Finally, the art in this is quite lovely. Even Tillie Walden gives it a shoutout, and it's nice to agree with my favorite graphic novelist. The use of colors here really helps set the various emotional tones of the book, and the evening scenes are quite lovely. Her pacing with the frames is excellent too and keeps the book moving along swiftly despite being very character driven and while the book is dialogue heavy it never feels like too much as it is balanced very successfully across multiple frames. The character designs are great and the attention to each character’s sense of fashion is very well done (also one of the teachers just looks like Seahawk from the She-Ra reboot but as a cool teacher),
I loved this book. It’s very moving and while it can be heavy at times it never feels bogged down. It also just feels very real to what being alive is like in a web of emotions, inner-struggles and social circles. Problems arise, and not everything is handled easily and hurts linger here. It feels true. I’ve read rumor this might become a series, which would be great to see, though this stands strongly on its own as is. I love these characters and the way Searle is willing to show them as dynamic, flawed, and sometimes their own worst enemies, with the trio of friends each having a distinct personality and different coping or defense mechanisms. For those looking for realistic fiction, particularly one dealing with mental health, this is an absolute gem.
5/5
The Greatest Thing follows Winifred and her new best friends, April and Oscar as they stumble through their sophomore year. These characters feel very authentic as we experience them in a variety of moods, see their flaws, and find ourselves rooting for them even when we are frustrated with their actions (or inactions). One aspect of this book I greatly appreciated is that the scope of interactions is not confined to just the friends group, with the characters existing in multiple friend circles and other outside interactions. It allows the story to have a very textured and realistic look at high school experiences instead of isolating the primary characters, which also shows how any sense of control over oneself and friends are constantly bombarded with outside influences of opinion, misunderstandings, and more.
Searle juggles the cast quite effectively and this feels like a living, breathing high school society. The teachers, while only having small roles, are also shown to have considerable influences and while characters may resent school, there are moments of clarity when they appreciate the teachers who do have a positive influence and care about the success of their students. This becomes important as there are some pretty heavy topics that crop up through the book, from eating disorders, struggles with identity and sexuality, family problems, and issues of self-harm and depression. While this book can feel like a lot, it also addresses the topics in productive ways and I can see this book being a balm on the soul of a teenager who seeks to feel understood and valid.
YA graphic novels such as this are so important. As in the image above, depictions of characters that you can identify with are really healing and inspiring, and I am particularly moved at how sensitively and productively this book presents characters dealing with understanding themselves. To see discussions on possibly being non-binary, or bisexual, and see these converstations happen in supportive friend groups is really lovely, and as always I wish I had books like this when I was a teenager. I particularly enjoyed how fluid their sexualities were, with characters going through uncertainties and liking characters of either gender. Pan Enby here, more of this please!
Especially this book because the emphasis on art is wonderful. There is an endearing metafictional aspect of the book as the friends zine figures into the book and we get to read several issues of it (written by Oscar, illustrated by Fred, published by April). In these comics we see the characters creating metaphors for their own inner struggles and trying to contextualize each other through their artistic expressions. I also loved the way Searles includes instructions on how to make your own zine by pretty naturally including them in the story. There’s a bit of a vibe that reminded me how much I loved The Plain Janes.
Finally, the art in this is quite lovely. Even Tillie Walden gives it a shoutout, and it's nice to agree with my favorite graphic novelist. The use of colors here really helps set the various emotional tones of the book, and the evening scenes are quite lovely. Her pacing with the frames is excellent too and keeps the book moving along swiftly despite being very character driven and while the book is dialogue heavy it never feels like too much as it is balanced very successfully across multiple frames. The character designs are great and the attention to each character’s sense of fashion is very well done (also one of the teachers just looks like Seahawk from the She-Ra reboot but as a cool teacher),
I loved this book. It’s very moving and while it can be heavy at times it never feels bogged down. It also just feels very real to what being alive is like in a web of emotions, inner-struggles and social circles. Problems arise, and not everything is handled easily and hurts linger here. It feels true. I’ve read rumor this might become a series, which would be great to see, though this stands strongly on its own as is. I love these characters and the way Searle is willing to show them as dynamic, flawed, and sometimes their own worst enemies, with the trio of friends each having a distinct personality and different coping or defense mechanisms. For those looking for realistic fiction, particularly one dealing with mental health, this is an absolute gem.
5/5
February 27, 2022
I enjoy a good graphic novel from time to time. (especially have a thing for memoir/graphics) --
Meeting Winifred, Oscar and April --and the rest of their friends in this Young Adult graphic novel was a delight....
The issues of growing up -- staring a new school -- best friends -new best friends - dealing with the pains of life -- eating disorders - anxiety - close connections -fitting in --etc. -Its all explored and more in "The Greatest Things" ....and the 'artwork' is vibrant -colorful -filled with expressions.
Thank you go *s.penkevich* for putting this YA graphic on my radar!
If I'm not reading at least a few graphics a year --then I feel an essential ingredient in my reading/book world repertoire, is missing.
Books like this ....make a difference --- in the way -- sugar makes medicine go down easier.
Meeting Winifred, Oscar and April --and the rest of their friends in this Young Adult graphic novel was a delight....
The issues of growing up -- staring a new school -- best friends -new best friends - dealing with the pains of life -- eating disorders - anxiety - close connections -fitting in --etc. -Its all explored and more in "The Greatest Things" ....and the 'artwork' is vibrant -colorful -filled with expressions.
Thank you go *s.penkevich* for putting this YA graphic on my radar!
If I'm not reading at least a few graphics a year --then I feel an essential ingredient in my reading/book world repertoire, is missing.
Books like this ....make a difference --- in the way -- sugar makes medicine go down easier.
May 3, 2022
In this semi-autobiographical graphic novel, Sarah Winifred Searle introduces us to Win. Their two best friends have enrolled at a new school so Win is starting the tenth grade alone. Fortunately for Win, they have art and it’s through their independent study with Mrs Fransson that they meet April and Oscar.
I found the struggles of all three characters relatable. This could have been quite a dark story and it does touch on some difficult topics, specifically those relating to sexuality, identity and body image.
There’s an exploration of mental health and the feelings of being alone and not fitting in.
Their friendship isn’t always easy and things don’t always work out as planned but their connection gave this story the injection of hope that it needed. The zine they worked on together, which is included in its entirety, was heartbreaking and beautiful.
While I connected with some of what Win and April were struggling with, it was Oscar who stole my heart. I absolutely adored him.
I wish I could hear the song Win and Oscar listen to. I loved the illustrations and the colour palette.
Teenage me would have read this graphic novel so much that it would have disintegrated in my hands. Adult me is definitely keen for a reread.
Thank you so much to Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read this graphic novel. I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
I found the struggles of all three characters relatable. This could have been quite a dark story and it does touch on some difficult topics, specifically those relating to sexuality, identity and body image.
There’s an exploration of mental health and the feelings of being alone and not fitting in.
I mean, I don’t belong here. I feel like I work so hard to keep afloat but no one sees or hears me.The friendship between Win, April and Oscar makes all the difference.
Their friendship isn’t always easy and things don’t always work out as planned but their connection gave this story the injection of hope that it needed. The zine they worked on together, which is included in its entirety, was heartbreaking and beautiful.
While I connected with some of what Win and April were struggling with, it was Oscar who stole my heart. I absolutely adored him.
I wish I could hear the song Win and Oscar listen to. I loved the illustrations and the colour palette.
Teenage me would have read this graphic novel so much that it would have disintegrated in my hands. Adult me is definitely keen for a reread.
To see myself through your eyes, as I look to someone who loves me … it has simply been the greatest thing.Content warnings include
Thank you so much to Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read this graphic novel. I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
March 17, 2022
Winifred is a talented artist, a lover of comics and fantasy, who struggles with loneliness, low-self esteem, a borderline eating disorder, insomnia, and depression. Her two closest friends both left her high school at the end of the previous year, and she starts sophomore year with a sense of dread. Luckily, a friend she had drifted apart from in middle school takes Winifred under her wing, and she also makes two new friends in her creative independent study class. Rich, rebellious April is always ready to pull people into her orbit and her projects; quiet, queer Oscar is her willing sidekick. Together, the three begin working on a fairytale zine series which Winifred finds a powerful outlet for the emotions she feels unable to share. But her secrets begin to separate her from her friends, who in turn don't share the real depths of their own struggles. This is a soft, slow, gentle story of a queer fat artist slowly coming out of her shell and into the power of her own creative voice. I really enjoyed the nuanced portrayals of friendships, and watching Winifred grow. Some of the information at the start of the book was revealed in a slightly awkward order, which made the first 1/3 a bit choppy; however, the story settled down by the middle and finished strong.
August 31, 2021
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This book was both relatable and heart touching. An extremely powerful coming of age story, I read it all in one sitting! Its a perfect graphic novel for teens, and I feel as though they will really see themselves a lot in the book!
You wouldn't have thought the characters would be as layered as they were, especially in a graphic novel but it was amazing how it handled such deep topics with an uplifting message at the end. Can't wait for more from the author.
This book was both relatable and heart touching. An extremely powerful coming of age story, I read it all in one sitting! Its a perfect graphic novel for teens, and I feel as though they will really see themselves a lot in the book!
You wouldn't have thought the characters would be as layered as they were, especially in a graphic novel but it was amazing how it handled such deep topics with an uplifting message at the end. Can't wait for more from the author.
April 1, 2022
Verging on the too subdued, this is a nice, thick semi-autobiographical coming of age story wherein a high school sophomore learns to hate herself a little less. The writing is not groundbreaking even with its LGBTQ+ themes, but the art has a simple charm that pulled me through the lulls and the multiple story-within-a-story fantasy pages.
December 7, 2022
"If this were a cute teen movie, the story would've ended here, and it would've been perfect. But that's not how real life works."
Well, gosh. This book certainly made me feel emotions. Particularly sadness.
I stumbled upon this book while gift shopping for me graphic novel loving friend, and it was just there... lying in my floor... and I had to pick it up.
I did not expect this. I did not. This book was super heavy and really really sad.
With that said, let's dive right in...
The pace of this book seemed good to me- I don't typically read a lot of graphic novels, and I'm not entirely sure if the way a pace would be set up varies, but it seemed pretty good to me.
The characters in this book are so well done, clearly multi-layered, and so... beautiful? Imperfectly-perfect? I really don't have the words to describe them- but they were the most beautiful characters for a book with such a heavy theme.
This book addresses things such as: eating disorders, depression/anxiety, lgbtq+, and self-hate. I honestly thought this book would make me cry(almost but not quite), and even though it didn't, it didn't mean I felt no emotion... the way this was written had me invested, heart-pounding, and I truly cared about these characters and wanted them to be okay.
There should be more books, particularly graphic novels, that address these things.
The plot of this book was clear, and easy to follow, which I appreciated, as when I read graphic novels it's pretty easy for me to miss key details. All the elements of this story were well portrayed, well done, and also realistic.
I'd like put out more emphasis on just how powerful this book was. As someone who hasn't really read a book with all these themes before, I can safely say that it changed how I view the world, particularly its people. If there's anything this book taught me: You never know what someone else is going through- which may sound ordinary and "your typical book lesson", but in this book it was so well portrayed and dived deep into that lesson.
With all the praise I've had for this book, why only 4 stars?
One thing for me was the ending. Don't get me wrong, it was good I just felt like it didn't provide the sense of closure I needed and left some key questions I had unanswered. I completely understand now answering all the questions, to let readers make their own ideas and inferences, I just felt like there was a little too much unanswered.
Honestly, that was my only flaw with this book. I also wouldn't say it was the perfect five star read- don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it- it just wasn't that 5-stars-everything's-perfect book.
And can I just take a minute to say how much I loved the art in this book?! Gorgeous!
Since that is all I have to say, let's now answer the three questions...
Would I recommend this book?
Yes, I absolutely would. It's a powerful book, one that you don't find very often- however it does touch on some sensitive topics such as: eating disorders, self-harm, self-hate, and homophobia.
If this was a movie, what would I rate it?
PG-13. Language, sadness. It would be more understandable/relatable if you were a teen+. (I'm not saying that goes for everyone, just a general thought)
Will I read this author's other books?
I mean maybe. I won't go out of my way to read them, but this was a lucky find! If I find something else by this author I will probably be inclined to pick it up!
Well, gosh. This book certainly made me feel emotions. Particularly sadness.
I stumbled upon this book while gift shopping for me graphic novel loving friend, and it was just there... lying in my floor... and I had to pick it up.
I did not expect this. I did not. This book was super heavy and really really sad.
With that said, let's dive right in...
The pace of this book seemed good to me- I don't typically read a lot of graphic novels, and I'm not entirely sure if the way a pace would be set up varies, but it seemed pretty good to me.
The characters in this book are so well done, clearly multi-layered, and so... beautiful? Imperfectly-perfect? I really don't have the words to describe them- but they were the most beautiful characters for a book with such a heavy theme.
This book addresses things such as: eating disorders, depression/anxiety, lgbtq+, and self-hate. I honestly thought this book would make me cry(almost but not quite), and even though it didn't, it didn't mean I felt no emotion... the way this was written had me invested, heart-pounding, and I truly cared about these characters and wanted them to be okay.
There should be more books, particularly graphic novels, that address these things.
The plot of this book was clear, and easy to follow, which I appreciated, as when I read graphic novels it's pretty easy for me to miss key details. All the elements of this story were well portrayed, well done, and also realistic.
I'd like put out more emphasis on just how powerful this book was. As someone who hasn't really read a book with all these themes before, I can safely say that it changed how I view the world, particularly its people. If there's anything this book taught me: You never know what someone else is going through- which may sound ordinary and "your typical book lesson", but in this book it was so well portrayed and dived deep into that lesson.
With all the praise I've had for this book, why only 4 stars?
One thing for me was the ending. Don't get me wrong, it was good I just felt like it didn't provide the sense of closure I needed and left some key questions I had unanswered. I completely understand now answering all the questions, to let readers make their own ideas and inferences, I just felt like there was a little too much unanswered.
Honestly, that was my only flaw with this book. I also wouldn't say it was the perfect five star read- don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it- it just wasn't that 5-stars-everything's-perfect book.
And can I just take a minute to say how much I loved the art in this book?! Gorgeous!
Since that is all I have to say, let's now answer the three questions...
Would I recommend this book?
Yes, I absolutely would. It's a powerful book, one that you don't find very often- however it does touch on some sensitive topics such as: eating disorders, self-harm, self-hate, and homophobia.
If this was a movie, what would I rate it?
PG-13. Language, sadness. It would be more understandable/relatable if you were a teen+. (I'm not saying that goes for everyone, just a general thought)
Will I read this author's other books?
I mean maybe. I won't go out of my way to read them, but this was a lucky find! If I find something else by this author I will probably be inclined to pick it up!
June 12, 2022
This was beautiful.
Coming-of-age graphic novels just appeal to me so much. I know I'm only 20, but it feels sometimes like I'm looking back at a different generation, growing up and making their own choices. It's fun.
The Greatest Thing follows a wonderful cast of characters, touching on a variety of different topics such as depression, gender identity, sexuality, self-harm, body image, and taking ownership of your own story. It's heavy at times, but it's so strong.
5/5 stars. Cannot recommend this enough.
Coming-of-age graphic novels just appeal to me so much. I know I'm only 20, but it feels sometimes like I'm looking back at a different generation, growing up and making their own choices. It's fun.
The Greatest Thing follows a wonderful cast of characters, touching on a variety of different topics such as depression, gender identity, sexuality, self-harm, body image, and taking ownership of your own story. It's heavy at times, but it's so strong.
5/5 stars. Cannot recommend this enough.
July 30, 2022
MANN Everything in this book was so overwhelming!! For what i thought was going to be a wholesome story, I almost felt like this author was just looking at a list of disorders/struggles and doing her best to just check everything off. And the fact that everything was so underdeveloped made it feel really disrespectful, too. I mean like, the characters battle mental health, eating disorders, class struggle, queer awakenings, and self doubt. Possibly more. I already forgot. AND EVERY TIME THESE THINGS WERE BROUGHT UP IT WASN’T SMOOTHLY DONE, EITHER!! Their execution was so awkward and clunky (for lack of better words), leaving the characters themselves to seem off and unnatural. There was almost never any elaboration and for a young adult graphic novel, I think that that is necessary! It’s important for YA novels to be able to allow the reader to emphasize and understand the characters, connect it to real life, you know? I couldn’t even really form a bond with the main character. Towards the end, I was basically rolling my eyes. I couldn’t handle this book’s rushed demeanour. So yeah… not a fan. I had high hopes for this one, the synopsis sounded so good :(
May 11, 2022
My very first graphic novel! Graphic novels hit hard?! I think I teared up on tram at one point… This was a lovely coming of age story that explored mental health, eating disorders and queerness. The night scenes in particular are absolutely stunning, the colours are GORGEOUS and really help capture the emotion of the scene.
May need to try another graphic novel now… Thank you Allen&Unwin for the ARC!
Content warnings: Internalised fatphobia, depression, anxiety, eating disorder, fatphobia, fatphobic comments, alcoholism, biphobia, self-harm, suicidal ideation
May need to try another graphic novel now… Thank you Allen&Unwin for the ARC!
Content warnings: Internalised fatphobia, depression, anxiety, eating disorder, fatphobia, fatphobic comments, alcoholism, biphobia, self-harm, suicidal ideation
February 18, 2022
Winifred is a sophomore student. Her two best friends transferred to another school, and now she’s alone. She meets Oscar and April, and they make a zine together.
The Greatest Thing is a beautiful and tender YA graphic novel, a coming-of-age story that deals with identity, friendship, and love. It contains a few sensitive topics, like anxiety, self-harm, depression, and low self-esteem.
The graphic is beautiful, colored, and the illustrations are in the same style as on the cover. I would recommend this graphic novel to all YA who like to read about friendships and love in graphic novels.
Thanks to First Second Books for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.
The Greatest Thing is a beautiful and tender YA graphic novel, a coming-of-age story that deals with identity, friendship, and love. It contains a few sensitive topics, like anxiety, self-harm, depression, and low self-esteem.
The graphic is beautiful, colored, and the illustrations are in the same style as on the cover. I would recommend this graphic novel to all YA who like to read about friendships and love in graphic novels.
Thanks to First Second Books for the ARC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.
October 15, 2022
This was fine. But honestly felt like one of the cheesier episodes of Degrassi.
February 20, 2022
Read via library.
April 13, 2022
i’m between a 1 and 2 star rating. HOLY FUCK I FORGOT TO MENTION THE FUCKING SELF HARM JESUS CHRIST FUCK THIS BOOK MAN. the way eating disorders, depression, identity, gender, body image, and sexuality were handled just really didn’t sit well with me. it’s not bc there wasn’t enough time to develop this, it just seemed like the author didn’t care. nothing was handled carefully and it seemed like they were just trying to get points for how many topical things they could mention. ugh i really hated this. it was sapphic? but like not at all? and what was the point if nothing was developed? THERE WAS NO YEARNING. everything felt so underdeveloped, no love, no care, no consideration. why did nothing feel like the author even remotely cared about these fucking topics. jesus christ it’s triggering to read these kinds of things especially when they’re handled so terribly and like it doesn’t even matter or it doesn’t even affect people at all! like they just told people about other people’s eating disorders I’M SORRY WHAT. no one who has a single brain cell does that and i hate that no one fucking called them out on it. ALSO where tf did fucking april’s issues come from? she’s like i’m rich therefore i am traumatized. bro not that it can’t happen but there was nothing to support this. it just came out of fucking nowhere. MAKE ME FEEL SOMETHING. i just hated this and couldn’t wait for it to be over
August 14, 2021
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Winifred has been left by her two best friends who went to private school while she stayed. She assumed she's gonna be alone all year but she makes two new best friends pretty quickly. Things are not so simple though, especially since feelings are involved and Winifred has pretty bad anxiety.
This had everything. I really felt everything. I cried a little bit even. I don't know why but this really shook me. I related to Winifred a lot and I felt her pain, fears and everything in between.
I liked all the characters, I felt like they were pretty layered, especially for a graphic novel. I especially loved Winifred's mother, don't ask me why.
I loved being able to read the zines and I felt for Winifred new friends and their own struggles too even though I was more on Winifred's side of things.
Anyway, that was an intense book, I loved it and I'll be buying it when it comes out me think.
Winifred has been left by her two best friends who went to private school while she stayed. She assumed she's gonna be alone all year but she makes two new best friends pretty quickly. Things are not so simple though, especially since feelings are involved and Winifred has pretty bad anxiety.
This had everything. I really felt everything. I cried a little bit even. I don't know why but this really shook me. I related to Winifred a lot and I felt her pain, fears and everything in between.
I liked all the characters, I felt like they were pretty layered, especially for a graphic novel. I especially loved Winifred's mother, don't ask me why.
I loved being able to read the zines and I felt for Winifred new friends and their own struggles too even though I was more on Winifred's side of things.
Anyway, that was an intense book, I loved it and I'll be buying it when it comes out me think.
August 14, 2021
This is SUCH a wonderful graphic novel, with an amazing friend group and wonderful mental health (depression, anxiety), ED, and LGBTQIA+ representation. It handles deep and intense topics, but it has such a hopeful and uplifting message at the end, all while not pulling punches and still having a realistic backdrop that includes the occasional terrible parent. For the most part, though, the teens AND adults in this are trying their best and are an accepting, nurturing bunch--which was so delightful and wish-fulfilling to see! I cannot wait to own a copy of this. (The art is very sweet and pretty too.)
July 3, 2022
Wow, mit so etwas habe ich echt nicht gerechnet.
The greatest thing beschreibt teils autobiografische Geschehnisse der Autorin, die mir echt im Kopf bleiben werden.
Winifred ist korpulenter, als viele andere, was ihr zu schaffen macht. Sie fühlt sich weniger wert, als andere und verletzt sich somit psychisch selbst. Vor allem nachdem ihre beiden Freundinnen von der Schule gegangen sind, fühlt sie sich einsamer als je zuvor. Bis sie April und Oscar kennen lernt. Die beiden vermitteln ihr ein Gefühl von Zusammenhalt.
Die Themen, die in dieser Geschichte angesprochen werden, haben mich richtig mitgenommen. Neben sehr ernsten Themen, geht es hier auch um Freundschaft und einige Missverständnisse.
Besonders cool fand ich das Zine, das hier auch graphisch dargestellt wurde - eine Art graphic novel in einer graphic novel.
Während des Lesens habe ich immer öfter über eine Triggerwarnung nachgedacht, da sie mir zu Beginn nicht aufgefallen war. Es ist zwar eine vorhanden, aber man hätte sie deutlich größer machen sollen.
Alles in allem eine sehr ergreifende und vielschichtige Geschichte, die ich durchaus empfehlen kann - lest euch aber bitte vorher die Triggerwarnung durch!
(Trigger: Depression und Essstörung)
The greatest thing beschreibt teils autobiografische Geschehnisse der Autorin, die mir echt im Kopf bleiben werden.
Winifred ist korpulenter, als viele andere, was ihr zu schaffen macht. Sie fühlt sich weniger wert, als andere und verletzt sich somit psychisch selbst. Vor allem nachdem ihre beiden Freundinnen von der Schule gegangen sind, fühlt sie sich einsamer als je zuvor. Bis sie April und Oscar kennen lernt. Die beiden vermitteln ihr ein Gefühl von Zusammenhalt.
Die Themen, die in dieser Geschichte angesprochen werden, haben mich richtig mitgenommen. Neben sehr ernsten Themen, geht es hier auch um Freundschaft und einige Missverständnisse.
Besonders cool fand ich das Zine, das hier auch graphisch dargestellt wurde - eine Art graphic novel in einer graphic novel.
Während des Lesens habe ich immer öfter über eine Triggerwarnung nachgedacht, da sie mir zu Beginn nicht aufgefallen war. Es ist zwar eine vorhanden, aber man hätte sie deutlich größer machen sollen.
Alles in allem eine sehr ergreifende und vielschichtige Geschichte, die ich durchaus empfehlen kann - lest euch aber bitte vorher die Triggerwarnung durch!
(Trigger: Depression und Essstörung)
May 5, 2023
This was so much better than anticipated! This is about a teenaged girl who is trying to find her place. Her 2 best friends have transferred to a private school her mom can't afford, she's unsure of her sexuality, etc. She struggles with disordered eating and self harm as well as depression, yet this book didn't feel depressing. I liked the variety of LGBTQ+ representation and it felt very authentic to the young teen experience. I do wish it would've gone a little deeper into all the different things it addressed (friendship, eating disorders, depression, etc.) as all were pretty surface level. I also am not a huge fan of the book within a book trope so seeing her comics wasn't my all time favorite. Overall I really loved what this graphic novel was trying to do and in general it was really enjoyable!
August 3, 2022
I think all of the heavy topics discussed in this book were done pretty well for what it was. most of the stuff like the eating disorder, sh, sexuality I feel were hinted at in the beginning, and then mentioned throughout the novel time and again. I honestly predicted a lot of what the main characters were going through, which isn’t necessarily bad because I felt connected to the characters. I could genuinely see a lot of myself and my old friendships in the characters.
For a graphic memoir about mental health and relationships.. I honestly could relate and empathize. I thought it was written pretty well and the characters felt real.
SPOILERS
what made me angry was the (SPOILER) aftermath of after they found out tilly was s/h herself. I understand that it’s a memoir but god, the fact that they just gave her antidepressants instead of actually trying to solve the fucking problem of her mental health. “We “recommend” you get counselling sessions too” was an actual line from a licensed professional. god. Ugh. It’s just the wording of “recommend” that pisses me off. No. She needs counselling.
The only thing is April’s bulimia caught me by surprise. They must have hinted at it and I missed it, but also it shows how Tilly was so engrossed in her own issues that she completely missed everything else that her friends were going through.
So yeah! I liked it! I thought it was relatable, it was difficult to read for sure though
For a graphic memoir about mental health and relationships.. I honestly could relate and empathize. I thought it was written pretty well and the characters felt real.
SPOILERS
what made me angry was the (SPOILER) aftermath of after they found out tilly was s/h herself. I understand that it’s a memoir but god, the fact that they just gave her antidepressants instead of actually trying to solve the fucking problem of her mental health. “We “recommend” you get counselling sessions too” was an actual line from a licensed professional. god. Ugh. It’s just the wording of “recommend” that pisses me off. No. She needs counselling.
The only thing is April’s bulimia caught me by surprise. They must have hinted at it and I missed it, but also it shows how Tilly was so engrossed in her own issues that she completely missed everything else that her friends were going through.
So yeah! I liked it! I thought it was relatable, it was difficult to read for sure though
June 1, 2022
As a quiet, introverted queer person, who also had (has) similar problems like the main character, this book gave me a lot of emotions and also: strength.
February 19, 2023
Cute graphic novel. Beautiful art!
August 19, 2022
Zines, disordered eating & body image issues, queer stuff.
Way more teen than the cover and illustration aesthetic connotes, at least for my brain.
Full color, nice variety of page layouts.
I love that there's a recurring character who you learn is trans very late in the book. It's not a revelation for the characters, just something the reader will notice.
Sweet coming of age, set before phones were everything. Fictionalized stuff ripped from the author's life.
I think I have a lot in common with the author, so I identified with a lot of this.
Way more teen than the cover and illustration aesthetic connotes, at least for my brain.
Full color, nice variety of page layouts.
I love that there's a recurring character who you learn is trans very late in the book. It's not a revelation for the characters, just something the reader will notice.
Sweet coming of age, set before phones were everything. Fictionalized stuff ripped from the author's life.
I think I have a lot in common with the author, so I identified with a lot of this.
June 27, 2022
Really good story
March 18, 2022
Searle does an amazing job conveying her experiences at age 15. The turmoil of inner emotion, the yearning for interpersonal connection even though it is always tenuous and fragile, self-loathing, and the small triumphs that keep hope and happiness alive. Her depictions of people and their relationships are honest and genuine, and her art is excellent. Secondary and minor characters are as well done as the protagonist. A triumph on all levels.
Read
May 1, 2023This was building to something, and then went somewhere completely different. Since it’s semi-autobiographical I’m assuming it was because that’s what happened to the author, but for a story plot, it wasn’t very satisfying. The flow is very off. The pacing was a little off too, and there were moments I didn’t realise it was meant to be months later until something was eventually mentioned.
There are so many little things mentioned in here that were a lot to digest, but most of them are quite underdeveloped, and in places they came out of nowhere and really needed an explanation included. I think it would have been a stronger book if it had just picked a couple of points to focus on and do well, rather than a brief skim over so many. ‘Overstuffed’ is the word that comes to mind.
I like the drawing style of the people, except their ears. I distinctly recall thinking a character was wearing hearing aids… then realised they all have ears like that. It’s very purple. But for the most part the character art is great. I kinda skimmed the zines because they didn’t work for me, and they dragged to nowhere. I’m obviously in the minority with this one.
There are so many little things mentioned in here that were a lot to digest, but most of them are quite underdeveloped, and in places they came out of nowhere and really needed an explanation included. I think it would have been a stronger book if it had just picked a couple of points to focus on and do well, rather than a brief skim over so many. ‘Overstuffed’ is the word that comes to mind.
I like the drawing style of the people, except their ears. I distinctly recall thinking a character was wearing hearing aids… then realised they all have ears like that. It’s very purple. But for the most part the character art is great. I kinda skimmed the zines because they didn’t work for me, and they dragged to nowhere. I’m obviously in the minority with this one.
February 12, 2022
Ah, a coming-of-age story. I’ve never really encountered a graphic novel that tackles such intense topics like mental health and suicide, eating disorders, and one’s sexuality. So, just a trigger warning here for anyone looking to read this story.
Winifred is a sophomore in high school in 2003 and struggles with depression and anxiety, much like her two new best friends, April and Oscar. The three of them together create the perfect concoction of self-consciousness and vanity, or in other words: being a teenager. They begin making zines together that Oscar writes, Winifred draws and April produces, which becomes a story about a prince locked in a tower and a girl trapped in ice that perfectly parallels the main characters’ feelings.
I wish I had a story like this when I was a sophomore in high school. This was beautifully done, especially the layout of the panels.
Winifred is a sophomore in high school in 2003 and struggles with depression and anxiety, much like her two new best friends, April and Oscar. The three of them together create the perfect concoction of self-consciousness and vanity, or in other words: being a teenager. They begin making zines together that Oscar writes, Winifred draws and April produces, which becomes a story about a prince locked in a tower and a girl trapped in ice that perfectly parallels the main characters’ feelings.
I wish I had a story like this when I was a sophomore in high school. This was beautifully done, especially the layout of the panels.
Read
October 16, 2023
Trigger & Content Warnings
Bimisia
Fatmisia
Eating disorder
Self-harm
Bimisia
Fatmisia
Eating disorder
Self-harm
July 5, 2024
2024
I found this at the 2nd hand bookshop and finished reading this time.
2023
DNF I got bored and the library wanted it back
I found this at the 2nd hand bookshop and finished reading this time.
2023
DNF I got bored and the library wanted it back
September 2, 2022
This. Book. Is. Brilliant.
I am dumbfounded that I hadn't heard of this before stumbling into it at my local library. Not only was this a beautifully illustrated graphic novel, the story itself was possibly the most relatable thing I've ever read. I wish I had read this as a teenager (I wish they HAD books like this when I was a teenager).
I ate this up in a day, maybe 2-3 small sittings. This semi-autobiographical graphic novel is heartfelt, heartbreaking, and heartwarming all at once. It is a story of messy characters, self-discovery, and...well, life. There are reviews here that say topics weren't handled in-depth enough, but as someone who has existed very much in the same mindset as Winifred, I think it was handled perfectly. Not every disorder, dysmorphia, or sexuality in question needs a long-winded deep-dive into the hows and whys. Sometimes--most of the time--we just are.
Searle does an amazing job illustrating and describing life as a fat, confused, and lonely female-presenting teenager. Growing up fat and self-conscious, I could relate to every thought and insecurity Winifred had. I personally didn't feel like things were handled flippantly or without depth. If you've been in those shoes, you get it.
This book isn't meant for the perfect, self-assured, confident, fully-put-together teen (like that exists). This book is for teens--and adults like me--who worry they're too much, too little, too fat, too imperfect, and not normal enough. The narrative touched me in ways I haven't experienced in a book before and made me reflect on all the things I felt as a teenager. If I had had this book as a teenager, I may have questioned my sexuality sooner, felt like I wasn't alone in how I processed things, and maybe would have been a little happier.
The Greatest Thing is an easy five-star book for me. It does handle topics that are sensitive and isn't for everyone. I'd put content warnings for eating disorders, depression, anxiety, fatphobia, biphobia, self-harm, and chronic illness. Where Searle excels is in relatable storytelling from lived experience. You can tell they put parts of their soul on the page and it makes all the difference.
I can't emphasize enough how much I related to the main character. Winifred was me as a teen, except with better hobbies and a more inclusive environment. The book itself is incredible queer-friendly and inclusive. The way Searle touched upon bisexuality/pansexuality in boys/men was spot-on, as well as questioning bisexual feelings as a teen girl. I also really really appreciated the gender questioning from April, one of the side-characters. It isn't obvious if you haven't been there or been exposed or allowed to explore your gender. One of the critiques I read in other reviews was that it wasn't spoken about with more depth. I couldn't disagree more. What I read was a teenager who was sad and micromanaged by their parents, then exposed to the idea of changing gender (via a tv show), and taking some agency for themself. It's handled realistically and in a way that would have affected me as a younger, more confused version of myself.
I really hope there is another volume (or a million) so that I can keep following Winifred and her friends. Huge thanks to my library for carrying this, because I would have never found out about it otherwise.
This book at its core is about messy teens, queer discovery, facing mental-health challenges, and feeling alone, different, and fake. I hope The Greatest Thing reaches a wide audience and is given to teens (and adults) to help heal their insecurities and help them realize that they aren't alone in how they feel/present/exist.
I am dumbfounded that I hadn't heard of this before stumbling into it at my local library. Not only was this a beautifully illustrated graphic novel, the story itself was possibly the most relatable thing I've ever read. I wish I had read this as a teenager (I wish they HAD books like this when I was a teenager).
I ate this up in a day, maybe 2-3 small sittings. This semi-autobiographical graphic novel is heartfelt, heartbreaking, and heartwarming all at once. It is a story of messy characters, self-discovery, and...well, life. There are reviews here that say topics weren't handled in-depth enough, but as someone who has existed very much in the same mindset as Winifred, I think it was handled perfectly. Not every disorder, dysmorphia, or sexuality in question needs a long-winded deep-dive into the hows and whys. Sometimes--most of the time--we just are.
Searle does an amazing job illustrating and describing life as a fat, confused, and lonely female-presenting teenager. Growing up fat and self-conscious, I could relate to every thought and insecurity Winifred had. I personally didn't feel like things were handled flippantly or without depth. If you've been in those shoes, you get it.
This book isn't meant for the perfect, self-assured, confident, fully-put-together teen (like that exists). This book is for teens--and adults like me--who worry they're too much, too little, too fat, too imperfect, and not normal enough. The narrative touched me in ways I haven't experienced in a book before and made me reflect on all the things I felt as a teenager. If I had had this book as a teenager, I may have questioned my sexuality sooner, felt like I wasn't alone in how I processed things, and maybe would have been a little happier.
The Greatest Thing is an easy five-star book for me. It does handle topics that are sensitive and isn't for everyone. I'd put content warnings for eating disorders, depression, anxiety, fatphobia, biphobia, self-harm, and chronic illness. Where Searle excels is in relatable storytelling from lived experience. You can tell they put parts of their soul on the page and it makes all the difference.
I can't emphasize enough how much I related to the main character. Winifred was me as a teen, except with better hobbies and a more inclusive environment. The book itself is incredible queer-friendly and inclusive. The way Searle touched upon bisexuality/pansexuality in boys/men was spot-on, as well as questioning bisexual feelings as a teen girl. I also really really appreciated the gender questioning from April, one of the side-characters. It isn't obvious if you haven't been there or been exposed or allowed to explore your gender. One of the critiques I read in other reviews was that it wasn't spoken about with more depth. I couldn't disagree more. What I read was a teenager who was sad and micromanaged by their parents, then exposed to the idea of changing gender (via a tv show), and taking some agency for themself. It's handled realistically and in a way that would have affected me as a younger, more confused version of myself.
I really hope there is another volume (or a million) so that I can keep following Winifred and her friends. Huge thanks to my library for carrying this, because I would have never found out about it otherwise.
This book at its core is about messy teens, queer discovery, facing mental-health challenges, and feeling alone, different, and fake. I hope The Greatest Thing reaches a wide audience and is given to teens (and adults) to help heal their insecurities and help them realize that they aren't alone in how they feel/present/exist.
April 7, 2023
[Reading every CBCA shortlist book, 2/6]
This was a very short read, and I’m glad. 1 star is incredibly generous. This book is in the negatives. I couldn’t stand this book for so many different reasons, and trust me, there is a lot, because this book is all over the place. The author clearly had a checklist of everything that needed to be included in this book in order to either a) win awards or b) be relatable to the most amount of people. It was incredibly obvious that she was throwing everything to the wall to see what stuck. Nothing stuck. I’m honestly embarrassed for the author. A large problem is that when so many large struggles are woven into a tiny book, it’s just too much. There’s also so many issues that it’s all conflict in such an “easy read” which clashes.
The demographic also confuses me? I have no clue what age the characters are. It’s definitely not helped by the fact that the author clearly has no idea how young teenagers talk now-a-days. It’s also not helped by the art style (which I dislike, but that’s personal preference) which looks amateurish and aimed at much younger readers like 12, with such heavy topics that older readers would read! You just can’t tell their age. Nothing gives any pointers. The characters are all so immature that you might say that they’re around 12, but like I said, the characters have many large mental health struggles that you would commonly see in late teenage years. They have this weird school project they’re working towards that just seems to be “do whatever you want”, which once again points back to a much younger character! They’re also participating in school dances and worrying about their career, which you would see in older teenage years like 16 or 17, but the jobs they want to pursue are answers that a 5 year old with no emotional maturity would give. It’s all so unnatural and unrealistic. I don’t know who this is aimed at because I can’t even tell what the characters are.
The ending is also uninspiring and anticlimactic. The book seemed to be building to something and then it just ends. Nothing really changes for the characters. What’s the point? There’s basically no character development at all.
The book is trying so hard to give something of substance, there ends up being none. I honestly don’t know what on earth the CBCA board was thinking, nominating a book like this. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone (because I hate it, and because I have no clue who I would recommend this too because the age demographic is so ambiguous). Avoid this book at all costs.
This was a very short read, and I’m glad. 1 star is incredibly generous. This book is in the negatives. I couldn’t stand this book for so many different reasons, and trust me, there is a lot, because this book is all over the place. The author clearly had a checklist of everything that needed to be included in this book in order to either a) win awards or b) be relatable to the most amount of people. It was incredibly obvious that she was throwing everything to the wall to see what stuck. Nothing stuck. I’m honestly embarrassed for the author. A large problem is that when so many large struggles are woven into a tiny book, it’s just too much. There’s also so many issues that it’s all conflict in such an “easy read” which clashes.
The demographic also confuses me? I have no clue what age the characters are. It’s definitely not helped by the fact that the author clearly has no idea how young teenagers talk now-a-days. It’s also not helped by the art style (which I dislike, but that’s personal preference) which looks amateurish and aimed at much younger readers like 12, with such heavy topics that older readers would read! You just can’t tell their age. Nothing gives any pointers. The characters are all so immature that you might say that they’re around 12, but like I said, the characters have many large mental health struggles that you would commonly see in late teenage years. They have this weird school project they’re working towards that just seems to be “do whatever you want”, which once again points back to a much younger character! They’re also participating in school dances and worrying about their career, which you would see in older teenage years like 16 or 17, but the jobs they want to pursue are answers that a 5 year old with no emotional maturity would give. It’s all so unnatural and unrealistic. I don’t know who this is aimed at because I can’t even tell what the characters are.
The ending is also uninspiring and anticlimactic. The book seemed to be building to something and then it just ends. Nothing really changes for the characters. What’s the point? There’s basically no character development at all.
The book is trying so hard to give something of substance, there ends up being none. I honestly don’t know what on earth the CBCA board was thinking, nominating a book like this. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone (because I hate it, and because I have no clue who I would recommend this too because the age demographic is so ambiguous). Avoid this book at all costs.
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