Finish Lines: A Graphic Novel

by Sarah Broyles, Hanna Schroy (Illustrator)

Miranda needs something to write about in her college application essays. But what?

Miranda has a plan: ace her junior year, get into an Ivy League school, and skip anything that doesn’t look good on a college application. But the pressure is getting to her, and now her parents have cut her off from every club, competition, and committee she’s a part of.

Desperate to get back on track, Miranda sets her sights on the Texas Water Safari—a 260-mile canoe race her mom was set to do with her granddad. With her mom sidelined by an injury, Miranda joins her grandfather. It’s grueling, messy, and scorching hot.

Can a perfectionist survive the wild long enough to find out who she is outside of a college checklist?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Mental Health, Action, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Adventure

352 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2026

About the author

Sarah Broyles started reading graphic novels years ago with her kids and became hooked on stories told through sequential art. She has a dusty English degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where she continues to live in the city with her husband and their two daughters--who have, bittersweetly, long since outgrown story time with Mom. Finish Lines is her first book.

Reviews

[Mehsi]

First up a thank you to the publishers and Toppling Stacks Tours for allowing me to read this one.

Sadly, after 156 pages of UTTER frustration I just have to go for my sanity and DNF this one. Miranda, I just wanted to yeet her in the waters so many times. I get being a perfectionist, I get that she feels overwhelmed, but in too many times she came off as an asshole. And asshole to her sister who wants to focus on sports instead of academics, an asshole to others who do have time to do other things while she is working her butt off, ignoring her parents when they tell her that college is expensive and if she cannot get a scholarship (they are just looking at it realistically) they won't be able to pay for it so that she should have back-ups close by that they may be able to afford, she is an ass to her grandpa at times (with her making remarks about the race that he just wants to finish and he takes his time or how she was whining about the canoe lifting or how she was just bored after what seemed to be minutes). I hated how instead of seeking help she went for pills. It was just one time, but seriously, your parents were both addicts, do you know how shitty this was?

Plus, I just couldn't relate with most of the things she wanted to achieve do, given we don't have that in my country. We don't have SATs or AP or GP or various electives or whatever else, we don't have ivy league colleges/universities, heck we have a whole different thing. Though haha, I could understand her fear of lower grades, though for her it was more that she had goals to reach, for me it was that my parents would be very disappointed and not happy.

While I do appreciate the extra plotline featuring the parents, especially the mom, I just wished it focussed solely on the canoe trip. Now at times I was so into the canoe stuff and we would go back to mom going through the pain of what happened at the start of the book and her worries for the future along with her being addict/alcoholic and 18 years clean/free. Again, I do like the plotline but it was just not clicking with me in the rest of the story we get.

And I do love the art, it was really stunning, that is also why I kept reading. I loved the little maps/routes, I loved Miranda's art and wished she would pursue that instead of throwing herself in a spiral of anxiety/stress. I loved the art style.

Oh, and I loved the canoeing when our girl was not complaining/getting anxious/getting meh about things, I loved it when she and her grandpa had a heart to heart.

So I am sure that someone will love this one, but that person is sadly not me.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts out with Miranda trying to find something that will look good on her college essay. She has taken every AP class she can. She knows which schools she wants to go to, and she likes to draw. Does she take any classes in art? Heck no. That isn’t what is important on school applications.


So, when her mother messes up her back, and can’t be in a canoe race with her grandfather, she figures she can do that. She can do the race, and then write about it.


But, it is a grueling 260 mile race. It is exhausting, and as her grandfather points out, there is no way in heck that they can place, much less run. He says it is in the doing. Like a participation trophy.


At first Miranda scoffs at that. Who does a race just to do it? This is what she finds out while doing it.


I had never heard of the Texas Water Safari, but it is indeed a real thing, having started in the 1960s. I like how the author either did the race, or researched the race, as it all felt very authentic. You would think a book about a canoe race wouldn’t be interesting? You would be surprised.


Thanks to Netgalley and First Second for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out on the 16th of June 2026.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This is a strong YA graphic novel debut from Broyles. It features a complicated protagonist and *the issues* that we avid YA fans love to see. The art truly highlights the experience.

Miranda is a go getter, and while this attitude benefits her in many ways, she can take it to the extreme and get into some related trouble at times. She comes by this behavior and mentality honestly. Her parents named her accordingly (read for details on this), and her mom really lives with the finish line in mind. As an added detail that those with some personal experience in this area will understand and appreciate especially, both of Miranda's parents are addicts in recovery. Let's just say that all of the puzzle pieces fit.

When the graphic novel begins, the setup really provides insight into Miranda's mom and the ways in which she has likely impacted her daughter's way of thinking. The focus turns to Miranda as she starts to think about college, how to pay for college, and what to write in that pesky personal statement. Ultimately, it's this trifecta that lands Miranda's soon to be sore butt in the back of a canoe with her granddad, as the two of them set off on a truly remarkable quest.

I loved reading and viewing Miranda's evolution, but I also really enjoyed getting to see how her immediate family (parents and sister) changed throughout the text and how her connection with her granddad evolved. The most important character here is the same critical character that is present in every family smart enough to have one: the dog. Little Percy is an absolute highlight of this book, and he gives Miranda and readers exactly what we need and when.

I'm a huge MG/YA graphic novel fan, and I tend to go bananas for First Second publications. This is no exception. I enjoyed this, will recommend it to my students, and will absolutely be on the lookout for more from this author and this artist.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and First Second for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🛶 have ever been in a canoe race
🙋🏼‍♀️ are an overachiever
📖 enjoy graphic novels
😵‍💫 have ever seen things that weren’t there

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Miranda has a plan: ace her junior year, get into an Ivy League school, and skip anything that doesn’t look good on a college application. But the pressure is getting to her, and now her parents have cut her off from every club, competition, and committee she’s a part of.

Desperate to get back on track, Miranda sets her sights on the Texas Water Safari―a 260-mile canoe race her mom was set to do with her granddad. With her mom sidelined by an injury, Miranda joins her grandfather. It’s grueling, messy, and scorching hot.

Can a perfectionist survive the wild long enough to find out who she is outside of a college checklist?

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was a great graphic novel, revolving around a high school junior who is obsessed with being perfect in every way. Unfortunately, being smart doesn’t come easy for her, so she is constantly having to do the very best, while her friends get to be the best and still enjoy fun things. After her mom suffers an accident that requires back surgery, she decides to step in and do the Texas Water Safari canoe race with her grandfather, believing this is the one thing she needs to stand out on her college admissions essay. I honestly did not like her character or attitude, but at the same time, I appreciated how real she felt. It wasn’t too long ago that I was in high school, so I fully understand the surly attitude and stuck up behavior Miranda exhibited. The ending was a bit of a disappointment, but I understand that it was a teaching lesson and she really did learn something in the end. The pictures are fantastic and made me feel like I was there in the canoe, suffering from the heat, bugs and extreme fatigue!

[Lexy Kelleher · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be quite honest, when I read the synopsis for Finish Lines, it didn't really look like something I'd enjoy. As a person who does not do well in heat, water, or nature in general, a book about a canoe race in the Texas heat did not sound like it was for me. I am so glad to be wrong about this! It was excellent.

I could see a lot of myself in the competitive, perfectionist main character, so much that at the beginning of the book, I wasn't sure that I liked her. Her personality hit a little too close to home! I immediately loved the parents in this, though. I feel like parents in YA stories can sometimes feel like side characters, and their actions are only relevant in how they affect the main character. That definitely wasn't the case here. The family, especially Miranda's mother Laura, felt like whole characters with their own struggles and triumphs that aligned with Miranda's but existed independently as well. It was refreshing.

I really loved the message of the graphic novel, which was presented strongly and clearly without feeling preachy. I felt Miranda truly learn throughout the grueling training and race experience. I think Miranda's struggle for perfection and purpose will resonate with a lot of readers, and her growth is substantial while being realistic, as she admits she will likely struggle with perfectionism throughout her life.

Also, I really felt a sense of place here. Being from Texas, it was nice to see the references to Austin, the y'alls, the Dr. Pepper, and even the oppressive Texas heat. I was unsurprised to see that both the author and illustrator are from Austin.

A couple of minor things that were addressed could have been fleshed out a little more, but overall, I highly recommend this one! It was truly an enjoyable reading experience. 4.5, rounded up!

[Jame_EReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this first and passed this over to my type A daughter immediately. While reading, I came across many adjectives that categorize Miranda as my daughter’s spiritual protagonist because she is everything similar to my daughter—perfectionist, has to be in every clubs and activities, and she stresses over grades’ averages. My daughter’s favorite statement to me is… “mom, I got this!” Thus while In the midst of the book, Miranda’s mom made a similar statement to what I said to my own before “…are you stupid [for overwhelming yourself]?” This graphic novel covers all aspects of how the younger generations are feeling today. After reading this I succumbed to my own thoughts and felt the need to step back and diffuse my own emotions. Mental health is imperative to a healthier lifestyle and Miranda is how every young kids today. This book resonates deeply because I myself is raising a Miranda, who simply doesn’t want to quit despite anything. Honestly, First Second’s MG and YA graphic novels and books have been so spot on with today’s world. I know my 15 year old is done reading and I hope this has instilled some great ideas for how to stop and smell the roses sometimes. My favorite quote is “don’t waste…time anymore feeling passionate about frivolous things.” It is a 5⭐️ read!!!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miranda is a high-achieving teenager running herself ragged in pursuit of Ivy League opportunities. Broyles captures her perfectionism with real precision, the way it is simultaneously a strength and a kind of trap, a self-imposed cage that keeps her from settling into who she actually is. When her parents put their foot down and ban her from her usual roster of clubs, Miranda finds one loophole they will approve: joining her grandfather in the Texas Water Safari, a grueling 260-mile canoe race her mother had planned to complete with him before an injury took her out of the running. Schroy's illustrations are a genuine pleasure throughout. Her clean, expressive panel work carries the story's quieter moments, while her full-page spreads showcase the Safari, the water, the landscape, and the physical endurance. The visual storytelling and the written narrative feel like a true collaboration.

At its heart, Finish Lines is about discovering that growth sometimes arrives through a completely unexpected door. Miranda sets out to pad a college application and finds something far more valuable waiting at the finish line. This is a gorgeous, generous book.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy of this graphic novel

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC read. This was such an interesting exploration of the pressures of perfectionism and achievement on teens. Miranda is at a super competitive high school where everyone is looking for a way to stand out. I was stressed just reading about it! She breaks down and uses her mother's pain medication to cope. Her parents finally step in and tell Miranda to take a break even if it it impacts her college applications and scholarships. There is an addiction story line intertwined with Miranda's journey where her parents have developed challenging relationships with ambition and achievement of their own since becoming sober. Instead of a real break, Miranda decides to join her grandfather in the Texas Water Safari, an endurance canoe race. She intends to use the experience for a college essay, but along the way begins to appreciate the journey rather than only thinkable of a quantifiable destination. I loved all the nature settings in the art - it really made me feel like I was there in the river and woods! I think lots of teens will relate to this book and hopefully reflect on the pressures they're experiencing.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finish Lines is a YA graphic novel by author Sarah Broyles and illustrator Hanna Schroy. It follows Miranda, a high achieving teenager who has big dreams of Ivy League schools and an extensive resume. At the start of the story her mom, also a highly active sports person, is injured. Miranda and her younger sister bicker, and Miranda has a diverse group of high achieving friends at school. She wants to stand out and is frustrated with how hard she has to work to keep up and miss out on fun things. Her parents are recovering from addiction, and there is an incident that makes them concerned about Miranda, so she takes a break from school. Instead she takes her mom's place with her grandfather on a canoeing marathon where she learns some life lessons. The character is mostly relatable; the action sustains itself through the book. The colors of grey, blue, and purple are clear enough. This could circulate well in high school libraries. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for this ARC.

[pineapple tofu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Perfectionist high school junior Miranda wants to have the best grades, the highest-standing clubs to join, and a top-tier GPA. But when stress begins to pile up, her parents cut her off from all clubs and activities. Now, Miranda needs something to write on her college entrance essays, and she turns to the Texas Water Safari with her grandpa. It’s over two hundred miles long, in gruelling heat, and with obstacles along the way. However, through trial and error, can Miranda surpass the competition that’s changing her in ways since the beginning of the event?
Not quite what I usually read, this graphic novel wasn’t for me. While I may connect with Miranda on the “perfectionism” part (I was once like that many, many years ago), I just couldn’t get into the canoeing part. I felt she jumped into the safari event with her grandpa too quickly. Though it was sad to learn about what happened to her mother, it was nice to know that she (the mom) decided to go back to college.

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel that follows Miranda and her family as they deal with her mother’s injury and what they learn along the way.

Because of her injury, Miranda’s mother is unable to participate in the canoe race with her father, so Miranda decides to take her place and join her grandfather in the 260-mile race.

It was refreshing to read about canoeing and learning that it actually involves so much was very surprising and informative. I really liked the relationship between our FMC and her grandfather, Thomas. The art style is pleasant, and I also like the colour scheme.

I really did appreciate that there were some heavy topics, such as dealing with addiction, trying to prove yourself, and complicated family dynamics. I would have liked to see more of Miranda’s mother and father’s backstories, as well as her sister’s.

Overall, this is a solid YA graphic novel that I enjoyed and have given 3.5 stars.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful message. It's good to have goals and be ambitious, but... not to the detriment of happiness or health, not only from an adult who had succumbed to addiction and found a new beginning and the right path by helping her daughter stay safe from the mistakes she made in the past, but also from a young woman finding her voice in a competitive, demanding world. I am glad the graphic novel is dual-color only, with tones of blue and dark. We focus more on the expression and the mood of the environment through the usage of sharp contrasts. Both mother and daughter are not perfect, but their learning and growth make it relatable, inspiring, and hopeful.

Sometimes we set our expectations too high, and we can be our worst enemies, demanding to do it perfectly at first. But those expectations, socially or peer-imposed, can become smaller goals when we realize the true purpose or function of what we're trying to accomplish.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a strong story with a deep message that is right under the surface (pun intended) the entire time but doesn't hit a reader over the head with it. Miranda is a stellar student in everything but is forced to take a step back as she's burning out even before getting to college where she has her sights set high. She makes a mistake and then her parents, eager to make sure she's okay because of their own recovery journeys, Miranda decides to do a 260-mile water rafting event in Texas with her grandfather (who has competed several times) as a way to test herself differently.

Success isn't measured by meeting metrics and winning, it's about getting up when you get knocked down and this is a stellar example of that in a graphic novel highlighting outdoor adventure sports (which ironically I'm reading Bowling's new YA which features whitewater rafting). Can't wait to share this with teens and others to read.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA graphic novel. Perfectionist and highly stressed overachiever Miranda decides to go on a lengthy canoe race (the real Texas water safari) with her grandfather. Along the way, she learns how to slow down and do things for the enjoyment of the thing, not for how it will look on her college application. Miranda can be extremely difficult to like at various points in this book, but it's always clear just how much self imposed stress she's under. Her family try to encourage her to release some of the pressure they've put on herself, but her mom has a very similar personality so there's some unintentional mixed messages there. I liked that Miranda doesn't get thrown right into the canoe race. She spends a lot of time training with her grandfather, learning the skills she'll need during the actual race and traveling many of the same waterways. It allows for showing a reasonably realistic progression of skill on her part.

[Alexis Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful story, loved the illustrations and the relationship between our MC and her grandpa!

In Finish Lines, we follow Miranda. A teen perfectionist, overachevier, future ivy league student or so she hopes. Her mother has an injury preventing her from participating in a yearly canoe race with her dad, Mirandas grandpa. Rather than letting him go solo, Miranda decides it will look great to colleges that she is going to win. Little does she know that she is going to learn alot about life, challanges and set backs, how to overcome them, and why to never give up during the training and race. Sometimes you have to slow down and realize life isnt about the finish line, its about the journey!

Loved the story, loved the lessons, loved the art, 5/5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and First Second Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finish Lines, like its protagonist, has a lot going on. Miranda is a high school student trying to achieve very high goals. Her mother is a former addict whose main outlet (athletic competitions) is no longer possible, and her grandfather is looking towards the end of a career in wilderness racing. While these parallel plots do compliment each other, i feel like the could fit together more smoothly. Several times I felt a jolt when switching between stories, and was slightly confused. The illustrations are well done, and I liked the look of the characters. There are a few imagined, or hallucinated sections that threw me a little, nested inside such a realistic story. The end is satisfying, and the lesson offered is a valuable one for kids and teens.

[Amy Sheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finish Lines is a lovely graphic novel. It tells the story of a junior in high school that is putting a lot of pressure on herself so she can get into an ivy league college. She makes a pretty bad decision and her parents force her to slow down on all her activities. Instead, she decides to be a partner to her grandfather to participate in a very difficult canoe race.

This book is a delight. It deals with several difficult subjects, but does in a really compelling way.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-book. All opinions are my own.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finish Lines is more than just a “wilderness” adventure where Miranda learns about herself. It’s generational experiences and how they influence everyone around you today. It’s about facing yourself and being willing to just like you for you - no matter your age. I had a fun time learning about this water safari and what “training” goes into it. I have to say…I’m almost tempted to sign… someone else up for it.🤣

“Thank you, First Second, for providing this book for review consideration via Toppling Stacks Tours. All opinions are my own.”

[Haruka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advanced.
.
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It was a great read. At first Miranda personality and relationship with her family is so bad. But as she do the race with her grandpa, she learns a lot. She changes as the story goes. Her grandpa giving life advices is something i love reading in this book.
I really love the ending~
I enjoy this book so much!!

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miranda tends to take on too much. After her parents tell her she has to cut some of her extracurriculars she decides to do a canoe race with her Grandad. Along the way she learns more about herself.
Miranda really evolves and changes throughout this story. But so does her family around her.
It's a good look into taking the time to not take on too much and figure out where you are headed in life.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great! I really appreciated a story about a very driven teen learning to slow down a little bit. A lot of the high schoolers at the library where I work are like Miranda: they want to go to Ivies, accomplishments fuel them, and they can get burnt out really quickly. This is an important book to remind them that sometimes it's important just to show up.

[Sarah Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronic overachievers will relate to the characterization of the main character in this YA graphic novel. I know I could! It was an adventure unlike one that I have taken, but the motivations behind it were very real. Seeing the character’s growth was a highlight. The art style is lovely, too. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful inspiring story about the struggle of life and finding one’s purpose. I really enjoyed the overall theme. The story was easy to read and warmed my heart. The lessons learned were prevalent for all ages and walks of life.

The graphics were cute and fun also. Overall a great inspiring read for readers of all ages.

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully illustrated story of a young girl struggling with her perfectionist lifestyle learns how to accept defeat gracefully and how to refocus and find new goals.


Thank you NetGalley and First Second for the eARC!

[Lois Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete RTC.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review of NetGalley ARC*

What does it mean to achieve something? How do you know when you have done enough? Miranda is a junior in high school and is plagued by the constant need to achieve and prove herself. Will she be worth enough if she excels in every club, aces every AP class, and gets into an Ivy League school? She wants it all, but as the pressure mounts Miranda makes a choice that makes her parents worried enough to cut her off from her extracurricular activities and competitions to try and save her from herself. With her options limited, Miranda decides to take on the Texas Water Safari, a 260-mile canoe race with her grandfather that her parents only approve after her mother can no longer compete. Will this extreme experience come with a finish line and prize big enough?