Graduation: A Time For Change

For Better or For Worse #19

by Lynn Johnston

For Better or For Worse 's Patterson family has grown and grown up for decades on the comics page. Facing real-life issues with a continuously humorous, often poignant, sometimes sentimental stance, For Better or For Worse delivers storylines that reflect the life moments and family challenges that most people face. In this collection, A Time for Change , life is transforming for each family member and their widening circle of friends. Elly and John face middle age and the decision to ask Elly's dad to move in. As Michael graduates from the safe confines of university, Elizabeth begins her college years with a surprising roommate. The pleasures of being the number one kid sometimes escape the often-lonely April. Throw in the engagement of Michael and Deanna and add another dog to liven up the household and you get a lot of laughs and a bit of chaos--just like real life.

Genres: Comics, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics, Comedy, Graphic Novels, Cartoon, Fiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published August 31, 2001

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

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming out in 2001, strips from February of 1999 through March of 2000. Michael graduates form college and he and Weed start working for a living and Liz starts college. Is it just me or is Elly becoming the least interesting character in the strip?

[Amy Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic as always! Made me cry a few times too. I think the older all the kids get the more depth and variety comes into the stories. Beautiful,loved every one.

[tyRonE hArDing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Love the Patterson Family.

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

I love how Lynn Johnston's comics are little micro clips of situations in life that are universally experienced by all of us.

[The other John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite having an extensive collection of For Better or For Worse books, I don't know if I can really call myself a fan. In recent years I have been disappointed in the direction the strip has taken and no longer follow it faithfully. With this in mind, I've been keeping an eye out to see if I can discover just when For Better or For Worse headed into the "worse" category. I don't know if I'll get a simple answer to that, but this volume feels like the end of the "better" portion of the series. The big changes in this collection are Mike graduating from college, getting engaged and moving out of his apartment in Mrs. Dingle's house (That's it! Moving away from Mrs. Dingle was where it jumped the shark!), Elizabeth going off to university and Grandpa Jim moving in with John and Elly. No single storyline is that compelling, but they're still an entertaining read.

[Mireille Duval · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Read on 2008-01-02, reread on 2013-03-06)

Very good as always. I love seeing Elizabeth at school - I wish we had even more. The story of Lawrence's father is very touching, and I liked reading about two characters doing volunteer work in South America. The latest development between Michael and Deanna is great too!

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael graduates from college and he and Weeder start making a go of it as free lancers. Elizabeth starts attending a Northern college. Grandpa Jim moves in with Elly and John. There is story arc about Laurence and his father.