Growing Like a Weed

For Better or For Worse #15

by Lynn Johnston

"Lynn Johnston not only understands all the little things that drive us crazy, but she has a particular talent for zeroing in on the slights of childhood, imagined or real, and the sheer magnitude of those feelings at the time."--Easy Living Magazine

It's the small moments in life that end up meaning so much. In the Patterson clan, those tiny revelations and bits of joy multiply, laying the foundation for a family that loves and grows stronger every day.

Young April dancing in the fall leaves. Elizabeth abandoning her budding maturity to don a bunny costume. Michael pulling an all-nighter, then finding out he's turned in his project a week early. The youngsters in Lynn Johnston's heartfelt For Better or For Worse are growing like weeds--and becoming more special all the time.

In Growing Like Weeds, readers experience a growth spurt of sorts as Michael becomes a man at college. His roommate Weed, while appearing to be a questionable influence ("Never take advice from a guy who crushes beer cans with his head," as Johnston puts it) actually brings out the adult in Michael. A new romance, quality time with Mom and Dad, and a deepening respect for his sister Elizabeth (whom he once called "Lizardbreath") become the way stations in Michael's path to maturity.

But everyone else in the Patterson family is on the move, too. Elizabeth starts to notice boys, while April has become the family's pint-sized philosopher. Elly's dismayed when she feels her bones creak and notices a need for new glasses, while John relives his own "glory" days in college. Then they realize that Michael's friends, Tracey and Mike, are old enough to run a business and have a baby. Everyone, it seems, is Growing Like a Weed.

Fans love the Patterson family because they're a dear and delightful clan who are welcome wherever they go. This latest collection is certain to entertain!

Genres: Comics, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics, Comedy, Comic Book, Cartoon, Comic Strips

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Lynn Johnston CM OM is a Canadian cartoonist, well known for her comic strip For Better or For Worse, and was the first female cartoonist to win the Reuben Award.

Reviews

[The other John · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this collection, Elly and John go on a Mexican holiday, Michael starts another romance, Elizabeth spends a month on her uncle's farm, April starts Kindergarten and Gordon faces the woes of owning a business. (Yeah, I know Gordon's not an official Patterson, but can I help it that he has one of the more interesting storylines during this era of FBoFW?) Again, Ms. Johnston serves up a nice mix of humor and drama to brighten your day.

[Michael Tildsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of For Better or For Worse or the author Lynn Johnston before finding this volume in a thrift store. I have to say, I was impressed by the overall story and morality of the comic strip. Sometimes it felt very much like I was reading a Sunday comic strip, but other times I forgot I was reading a comic/graphic novel at all. The people and characters and situations were all too real.

I liked it. I will keep my eye out for more of this in the future when I need to ground myself in some positive reality. I've been told that that's always a good thing.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming out in 1997 with strips from late February of 96 through mid January of 97. At 144 pages (140 actually bearing cartoons) this is longer than the usual 128 pages up to this point, maybe so they can include more Sunday strips. There were 44 in this collection which would seem to be the vast majority for the span, and by this point Johnston’s Sunday strips have improved so much they really are worth including.

[Audrey Ettinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tend to reread the FBoFW books I have every few years, and they always speak to me in a new way. This one has Elly aging (her mom is about to get sick, I think), Liz in high school, and Michael off to college. Minus April, what next year will look like for our kids! Still so wise in her observations.

[tyRonE hArDing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Love the Patterson Family.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the little snippets of life that Lynn Johnston does.

[Jenn O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this collection at a Friends of the Library book sale. Reading through the comic strips reminded me of how much I used to love the For Better or Worse series. I looked forward to reading it in the newspaper each day. I remember when the comic strip ended and how sad I was. So yes, there was a lot of nostalgia as I read this. The enjoyed revisiting the Patterson family and checking in on their lives again. The author/illustrator does a great job of catching the joys and challenges of a family's life. These comics are much like homemade chocolate chips cookies - it brings you comfort in all the right places.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I AM counting a comic strip book among my reads for 2016 (it COUNTS!). I used to read the comics every day growing up, and as a mother, I can now really appreciate Lynn Johnston's humor. This book was a treat for my tired mother-brain! (And it makes me wish I could draw---I would love to write comic strips.)

[Amber the Human · Rating 3 out of 5]

April really does seem like she exists in the real world - but Johnston only had two children. This also has the story line about Michael taking photos at a car accident ... and then he dates the woman who was in the car accident. Weird.

[Adrian Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always thought of the Pattersons as the neighbors. I started reading the strip when I was a kid and was faithful to the end. I have the entire collection and I read it every few years. It's a classic!

[Alessandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

This strip started out kind of mean and snarky, and only got worse. This is when I finally gave up on it.

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to like in a compilation of comic strips from the great Lynn Johnston? i miss them in the daily paper, but have them on my shelves when nostalgia has me thumb through the pages.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and funny. <3

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

April turns 5. Michael witnesses a car accident on the way home from college. Elizabeth spends the summer on her uncle's farm. Gordon and Tracy get a vacation. Michael starts dating Deanna