Freddy (Frederica) is totally on the hook for Laura Dean. They’re dating— sort of—but Laura kisses other girls and only pays attention to Freddy when it suits Laura. Biracial (Asian/white) Freddy gets upset, cries to her friends, and then inevitably goes back to Laura when Laura wants her attention. It’s a miserable cycle, and it’s affecting Freddy’s friendships, especially with her best friend Doodle. In fact, Freddy is so wrapped up in her Laura drama that she’s oblivious to the fact that Doodle is going through a crisis—she’s pregnant and could use Freddy’s support. Acutely accurate portrayals propel a graphic novel in which Freddy finally realizes that she—and her best friend—deserve more. Freddy’s self-absorption is so believable, as are all of the finely drawn characters and relationships—for better and for worse. The art is done primarily in black- and-white with light pink as an accent throughout. (Age 14 and older)

One of FORBES Best Graphic Novels of 2019
On BCCB 2019 Blue Ribbons List
One of NPR's Best Books of 2019
Booklist 2019 Editors' Choice
One of Bitch Media’s Best Queer YA Novels of 2019

Author Mariko Tamaki and illustrator Rosemary Valero-O’Connell bring to life a sweet and spirited tale of young love in Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, a graphic novel that asks us to consider what happens when we ditch the toxic relationships we crave to embrace the healthy ones we need.

Laura Dean, the most popular girl in high school, was Frederica Riley's dream girl: charming, confident, and SO cute. There's just one problem: Laura Dean is maybe not the greatest girlfriend.

Reeling from her latest break up, Freddy's best friend, Doodle, introduces her to the Seek-Her, a mysterious medium, who leaves Freddy some cryptic parting words: break up with her. But Laura Dean keeps coming back, and as their relationship spirals further out of her control, Freddy has to wonder if it's really Laura Dean that's the problem. Maybe it's Freddy, who is rapidly losing her friends, including Doodle, who needs her now more than ever.

Fortunately for Freddy, there are new friends, and the insight of advice columnists like Anna Vice to help her through being a teenager in love.