This is a surprisingly charming, yet incisive, graphic novel, which can be enjoyed by readers of any age group, about the life of a small blue donkey (Ariol) in middle school. I thought the quality of the drawings and the perceptiveness of the observations of the group dynamics in class, among his family and friends, etc., excellent and somehow relaxing. Ariol's world has its ups and downs but it's a nice world to escape to momentarily. Many will no doubt identify with Ariol's unrequited/secret crush on Petula - complete with fond/anguished thoughts of the object of his affections.
I thought this was such a pleasant, yet absorbing, read that I'm going to borrow the other titles in the Ariol series from the library. I can unreservedly recommend this enchanting book to anybody!