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PARDALITA by Joana Estrela

PARDALITA

by Joana Estrela ; translated by Lyn Miller-Lachmann ; illustrated by Joana Estrela

Pub Date: April 18th, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-64614-255-2
Publisher: Levine Querido

In this introspective graphic novel translated from Portuguese, a girl reflects on her changing sense of self.

In loosely interconnected vignettes, award-winning author/illustrator Estrela introduces readers to 16-year-old Raquel. Her life thus far has been fairly uneventful: She lives in small-town Portugal with her divorced mom; hangs out with her two best friends, Luísa and Fred; and has a new boyfriend, Miguel. But changes are underway. At school, Raquel notices Pardalita, a colorful and artistic older girl, and becomes increasingly intrigued by her. As her interest in Pardalita grows, she ignores texts from Miguel, who eventually breaks up with her, to Raquel’s relief: “I switched to airplane mode / but it feels like I’ve landed.” Fred and Raquel join the local theater troupe that Pardalita is involved with, allowing the two girls to develop a friendship. As Raquel moves beyond projected daydreams about her object of affection, she’s fascinated by every little thing about the real Pardalita, a girl who, when she pulls her hair back, “pats the top of her head twice to make sure she’s picked up every strand.” Raquel recalls moments when there were hints about her emerging sexuality that now take on new meaning. The digitally created black-and-white art is bold and slightly abstract, matching the stream-of-consciousness text that effectively conveys adolescent turmoil, the heady intoxication of first love, and sweet moments of connection as young queer love blossoms. The book’s strength lies in its careful presentation of telling details.

Quietly resonant and sincerely told.

(endnotes) (Graphic fiction. 12-18)