True Colors - by Elise Gravel Paperback

About the Book

"Tweeny-bopper Elise knows she's different, but kind of just chalks it up to being a weirdo. And in the 90s, who isn't? Other girls might be shifting their attention to boys, but Elise is putting the freeze on all that adult stuff to get lost in play with her besties and pour her energy into making her art. Besides, what's the point in rushing when being a kid is such a blast? In True Colors: Growing Up Weird in the 90s, Elise invites readers into the pages of her diary and takes them back to a radically different time before smartphones and home computers. It's a world where fun means going to the mall and making mix tapes on cassette, and where imagination reigns supreme! It's also a world where making new friends can be confusing, nerve-wracking, and utterly mind-boggling. Creative and curious kids, anybody dealing with anything from not fitting in, to anxiety -- or even an ADHD diagnosis -- will see themselves in the pages. And through it all, Gravel shows the power of art and creativity to transform, as we see Elise turning her differences into her superpower in this funny and encouraging artistic origin story"--

Book Synopsis

Growing up is always just a little too much for a kid to handle, but taking your time is all it takes

Tweeny-bopper Elise knows she's different, but kind of just chalks it up to being a weirdo. And in the 90s, who isn't? Other girls might be shifting their attention to boys, but Elise is putting the freeze on all that adult stuff to get lost in play with her besties and pour her energy into making her art. Besides, what's the point in rushing when being a kid is such a blast?

In True Colors: Growing Up Weird in the 90s, Elise invites readers into the pages of her diary and takes them back to a radically different time before smartphones and home computers. It's a world where fun means going to the mall and making mix tapes on cassette, and where imagination reigns supreme! It's also a world where making new friends can be confusing, nerve-wracking, and utterly mind-boggling.

Creative and curious kids, anybody dealing with anything from not fitting in, to anxiety--or even an ADHD diagnosis--will see themselves in the pages. And through it all, Gravel shows the power of art and creativity to transform, as we see Elise turning her differences into her superpower in this funny and encouraging artistic origin story.

Review Quotes

"A rare mix of wackiness and savvy counsel." --Kirkus Reviews

"There's a welcoming simplicity to her work, but images also showcase her skill with denser, more immersive visuals, and she creates a sea of distinct textures and shapes while maintaining a youthful, minimalist aesthetic." --Oliver Sava, A.V. Club

"If you're not familiar with her art work, prepare to be charmed." --Youth Services Book Review