Very Far from Home: A Graphic Novel

A Very Graphic Novel #2

by Hope Larson

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2026

About the author

Hope Larson is an American illustrator and comics artist. Hope Larson is the author of Salamander Dream, Gray Horses, Chiggers, and Mercury. She won a 2007 Eisner Award. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[YSBR]

Verity “Very” Nelson has big plans on the horizon, from a Civic Engagement for Teens workshop to a trip to her best friend Bree’s lake house. Right before her workshop, Very’s mom finds out that she needs to travel cross-country to visit her own mother, who was just moved into an assisted living facility. Very travels to go see her grandmother, missing her workshop. After having a conversation with Bree, though, Very is inspired to get involved in her grandmother’s hometown and bring about change by fighting to re-open a beloved public pool. When the public pool closed, the community’s only other option was to pay for an expensive membership at the local country club; Very and her cousin, Maya, recognize the unfairness of this situation and begin going door-to-door, advocating for the pool to be reopened and reminding the community of how important it is to them. She fights for change with her cousin and the mayor’s daughter Piper, who turns out to be a much better person than Very and Maya first assumed she was. 

The illustrations in this book are full of life, vivid, and dynamic! There are multiple gorgeous two-page spreads that will grab readers’ attention. As pictured, the characters are racially diverse; Very and her parents are white, Bree is Black with long locs, and Maya appears to be brown, although her race isn’t explicitly mentioned. The book explores issues of class, intergenerational friendship, civic responsibility, and family. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it! Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Shannon]

A heartfelt middle grade sequel in the Very series that sees Very and her mom having to go help her aunt and cousin clear out their grandmother's house after she is forced to move into an old age home. I loved the messages of youth activism, friendship, forgiveness and not judging people by appearances. In this book Very tackles getting the town pool reopened with the help of her cousin and the mayor's daughter. The illustrations were colorful but some of the characters weren't as well drawn as other IMO. Still worth a read and I'm hope there will be more Very adventures soon!

[Erin Buhr]

Not ready for summer to be over? This graphic novel has loads of small town summer vibes. Verity “Very” Nelson’s summer plans are ruined when her mom announces they’re going to small town Wisconsin to clean out her grandma’s house. She quickly gets inspired to help save the local community pool with her cousin, Maya.

The story layers relationships, aging grandparents, summer fun and an empowering story about affecting change to create a fun read with a lot of depth and heart.

[Alicia]

Reviewing for professional magazine- see review there.

[Casey]

A nice sequel. Not as good as the first one but a nice peek into the world of Very. More problems and people coming together. Iris is my new favorite.

[Jaime]

Great sequel to the original. Really enjoy this series. Plan to add it to my classroom library

[Heather]

Rounded up 3.5

[Chloe Griffin]

3.5 bc i am above the age level