Chloe #1: The New Girl

Mistinguette #1-2

by Greg Tessier

Everything was wonderful for young Chloe Blin— she loved her family, even despite their affectionate nickname for her. But everything changes when she starts at a new school. Suddenly, her family is just embarrassing! Chloe wants to meet new people and make new friends, especially with a certain Alexandre, but she’s not sure what to say or wear or who to trust. The home room fashionistas are only too happy to tell her how her clothes look, but can they really be her friends? And what if everyone heard her family’s name for her?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Friendship

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[disco · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ahh yep. Definitely one of the worst graphics I've ever read. The text and tone of the book as well as the age of the main character was middle school, thirteen to be exact. Yet the context - Vanity, boobs, makeup, kissing two different boys while dating another one(?), was for a much older crowd. I was really disappointed in the "men with men and women with women" phrase that was used, because really? We're still doing this? Dads can't go shopping?

To top it off it seemed as if the parents were literally insinuating to their daughter to go find a "man" - in more than one instance.

Also who the FUCK lets their 13 year old have an unsupervised house party?

[Diz · Rating 1 out of 5]

At first glance the art is attractive and professionally produced, but once you start reading it, you'll realize what a mess the story is. This is basically Mean Girls in junior high school except the main character doesn't really seem to learn any life lessons. The main problem is the age of the character and the situations she is put in. The main character is 13 years old, but manages to get lots of nights out with boys without any sign of concern or care from her parents. In she has a relationship with three different boys--she has a boyfriend at home, but cheats on him by getting a vacation boyfriend, and then cheats on the vacation boyfriend by going out with an older boy. She even goes to a yacht party with this older boy. She does this without suffering any of the moral anguish that usually accompanies these types of stories, and as a result she doesn't really seem to develop as a character as she never really has to make a choice.

Another thing that is off about this is the messages that it sends. There is a strong focus on appearance and fashion. In fact, after the first three chapters, the main character gets a report card that grades her on these aspects of her life, and it isn't until she makes friends with the popular girls at school that she makes any progress on these report cards. Some other ideas that this book promotes are girls activities for girls and boys activities for boys, girls like shopping, and the only thing that matters for girls is getting a boyfriend (or multiple boyfriends). It all seems very regressive.

Finally, I mentioned that the art is attractive at first glance. However, as you read the book, you'll slowly start to notice that some of the images are showing 13 year old girls in sexually suggestive poses. It's not appropriate, and it makes me wonder if this is really a comic meant for a younger audience or not. Anyway, don't buy this for any kids that you know.

[D.T. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe this book is meant to show kids how not to act because everything, characters and story, felt very very shallow. I'm okay with shallow, self-centered main characters when their narratives are interesting, but Chloe felt too run-of-the-mill. Not a good start for volume one, but I'm interested in reading the others.

On the other hand, the artwork is very cute and colorful!

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, we really need to talk about:

1. how the first poc we meet is a black girl who at 13 dresses in sexy outfits, including high heels.

2. how the dumb people are drawn as fat and ugly.

[ysandre · Rating 1 out of 5]

So that’s what you teach to young girls now ? « cheating is ok, all that matters is appearance,... » + girls body are oversexualized as fuck when the protagonist is supposed to be 13, come on ! not appropriate at all for kids :/

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled a lot with the content of this graphic novel. The plot itself was all over the place and lacked organization, and the themes around boyfriends and popularity didn't sit well with me. There was no resolution that provided middle year's readers with hope that these things don't need to be at the forefront of your life. For an older reader, this graphic novel can be read for what it is, but I'll certainly be forewarning my students to think critically about this one...

[Gretchen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an Italian graphic novel translated into English. It's definitely European in that there is dating and kissing and wearing busty revealing tops at a young age.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chloe is supposed to be 13 years old. Has a boyfriend but goes on summer vacation, kisses two other boys then comes back home to boyfriend. Gets advice from" popular" girls how to dress. Nope.

[Lija · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this. Suddenly I’m gay

[Library Lady 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book was interesting. I loved the art, but it was maybe a little more YA than I expected. For eighth graders, they were awfully mature in some ways and in others, JUST like middle schoolers.

Chloe is the new girl. The popular girls all were heels and try to look "sexy." So Chloe decides to ask them for a makeover so she can be popular and get the boy she likes. So, she transforms into another sexy girl. There are some good lessons about about being yourself, kind of. But there's also a big lesson about going after what you want, in this case, transforming yourself for a guy.

In the second half, the book changes to summer vacation. Chloe meets two boys, one of whom is shy and the other comes on strong. She's swept up into the attentions of the second guy, they make out a few times, then he turns out to be a jerk so she goes for the shy boy. And they make out before she goes home from vacation to her boyfriend. Hmm...realistic? Yes, absolutely. And different from the books I so often read, where they are very formulaic and cheating is a deadly offense. So props for daring and realism. But is this a good book for kids? Not sure on that one...

[Namolo Kaman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very nice and compelling art style, but the values it communicates are downright awful. For example, throughout her first year at the new school, Chloe gets quarterly "report cards", with the following 5 values / norms: Appearance, Self-Confidence, Observation Skills, Attractiveness, and Popularity. I would have preferred something along the lines of: humility, diligence, courage, generosity, and patience — to name a few. Instead, we get largely what I would qualify as superficial, self-centered — narcissism inducing — yet conformist consumer / corporate values ( with the exception of 'observation skills' ). This is NOT how we elicit humanity out of kids, but rather turn them into drones! Sorry, but I can't recommend offering this book / series to any child whose growth and betterment you care about, even for entertainment value's sake — especially considering there are much richer + healthier cultural pastures to go to. I expected better from a European comic. This is deliberately lowest-common denominator material, wrapped in a cute and attractive package. Big pass.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chloe is a new 8th grader at her school. She struggles with fashion, popularity, friendship, and crushes. The overall message in the book is that fashion and boys is important, without ever clearly articulating that the "popular girls" aren't who Chloe should aspire to be. The summer installment also ignores the idea of healthy relationships. Moves too quickly without cohesive messages. Not great overall, and definitely sends messages that aren't the ones I would want for my daughter.

[Stefanie Burns · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very choppy and the transitions were very abrupt at times. The illustrations had a lot of details and colors, but some were hard to see. Plus I had a hard time liking Chloe. She is very vain and self-centered. Much better graphic novels for kids to read out there. I like to read series, but skip this one.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I was going to like this initially, but it hits a groove and it's not so bad. It's episodic, which is why it takes awhile. And that's because you get to know the characters better and transitioning from one episode to the next is easier. I like that Chloe is very likeable but also pretty realistic for a junior high-aged girl, so, you know, not *always* likeable.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was on a committee to review this for JH appropriateness. The book is totally appropriate for JH kids, just rather silly. Once again, it suffers from graphic novel syndrome--the author knows what he intends, but there's not enough to really tell the story to the reader. I did like Chloe's increase in self-confidence, but her giggling drove me crazy.

[Scott Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won't even finish this book. Shame on the creators to overtly sexualize middle schoolers . I wish I could give it 0 stars. I sincerely hope middle school girls do not this book that has such an emphasis on appearance and to put such an urgency on being a woman instead of enjoying being a child.

[Mompop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably upper Middle School 6+ - a bit too much drama (mean girl cliques) for the younger crowd. Another book I read as part of readingwithoutwalls.

[Samantha Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

a really good read very enjoyable

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

She acts and looks a bit older than 13.

[C.W. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little book. I like that fact that Chloe grades herself and see the mistakes that she has made. This is a great book for a student going into middle school.

[badriya LEB]

nice

[Sharlene Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I don’t love the message, I know I would’ve LOVED this book as a kid. I also know my students will love it as well.

[Manda Marigold · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay not the best.

[Zahra Rose Duxbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

These comics are pretty entertaining (nice art, layout, outfits etc) but objectively horrible. Chloe and her friends are supposed to be fourteen but are continuously sexualized. A little concerning.

[Jess]

Dec 9, 2024 - DNF @ 25% - I didn't like the vibe of this comic, pretty one note obsessed with looks and popularity

[Candace C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't let me read the book!!!!!!!!!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ezra · Rating 5 out of 5]

she literally has the best outfits ever. I want to steal her whole wardrobe, if only I could pull it off. I love the art.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Children's graphic. Not thrilled with Chloe's choices.