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Wilhelmina “Will†? Huxstep is a creative soul struggling to come to terms with a family tragedy. She crafts whimsical lamps, in part to deal with her fear of the dark. As she wraps up another summer in her mountain town, she longs for unplugged adventures with her fellow creative friends, Autumn, Noel, and Reese. Little does she know that she will get her wish in the form of an arts carnival and a blackout, courtesy of a hurricane named Whitney, which forces Will to face her fear of darkness.
Laura Lee Gulledge’s signature visual metaphors will be on full display in this all-new graphic novel, a moving look at shedding light on the dark corners of life.
Praise for Will & Whit
STARRED REVIEW
"This sophomore offering shines as bright as the lamps Will surrounds herself with... Quirky, clever and insightful."
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Gulledge creates engaging characters (especially Reese, Noel’s precocious younger sister), and draws them with believable expressiveness… Gulledge’s values are wholesome, and her energy is up-to-the minute fresh."
—Publishers Weekly
"The most striking feature about Gulledge’s second graphic novel is the organic nature of the layouts. Action and dialogue flow smoothly from panel to panel, barely acknowledging their confines. Thick, sumptuous lines separate characters from richly detailed backgrounds, and this is all done in black and white. Gulledge populates her story with unique and likable characters who relate easily and naturally to one another."
—School Library Journal
"Across the reaches of YA-targeted media, it’s rare to find a work with such a relentlessly upbeat tone and sense of uncompromising positivity as those found in this graphic novel."
—Booklist
"The shape and pacing of panels expertly capture the narrative’s tone; occasionally the panels disappear altogether, giving the images a dreamy feel. Eloquent pointillist shadows reveal Will’s emotions—especially her fears and insecurities—and her expansive imagination."
—HornBook
"Rendered in black and white panels, this graphic novel provides a surprisingly light-hearted story with a strong emotional core. Detailed backgrounds draw the reader into the scene, while the mixture of group shots and individual faces guides the narrative through social and introspective moments."
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Willhemena learns to deal with the shadows from her past and take a big step toward adulthood. This is a satisfying coming-of-age story with a good plot and strong images."
—Library Media Connection
Award
YALSA's Great Graphic Novels for Teens List 2014 (Top Ten Title)
Texas Library Association Maverick Graphic Novel 2014 list
Kirkus Best Book of 2013
