Skim has received a slew of rewards, including being named ”Best Illustrated Children’s Book” by the New York Times.  The story follows 16-year old Skim in the months after she breaks her arm “falling off her bike”  (actually, tripping over her altar and landing on her mother’s candelabra).  Along the way, a classmate commits suicide, Skim engages in an intense, but quickly aborted relationship with her English teacher, Miss Archer, and Skim grows away from one friend and makes another.  

Skim herself narrates the story, scribbling out words and making corrections as she tries to make sense of her own experiences.  The art is beautiful, with detailed backgrounds that don’t overpower the characters. Each character is unique and easily recognizable, facial expressions are subtle and powerful-in short, the art is just great.  

The heavy issues addressed in Skim could easily turn a lesser book into an after-school special-but Skim is rich in empathy and understanding.  Highly recommended.

Rating:  ✰✰✰✰ 1/2