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Cub
A laugh-out-loud funny and empowering graphic memoir about growing up and finding your voice.
Twelve-year-old Cindy has just dipped a toe into seventh-grade drama—with its complicated friendships, bullies, and cute boys—when she earns an internship as a cub reporter at a local newspaper in the early 1970s. A (rare) young female reporter takes Cindy under her wing, and Cindy soon learns not only how to write a lede, but also how to respectfully question authority, how to assert herself in a world run by men, and—as the Watergate scandal unfolds—how brave reporting and writing can topple a corrupt world leader. Searching for her own scoops, Cindy doesn’t always get it right, on paper or in real life. But whether she’s writing features about ghost hunters, falling off her bicycle and into her first crush, or navigating shifting friendships, Cindy grows wiser and more confident through every awkward and hilarious mistake.
Twelve-year-old Cindy has just dipped a toe into seventh-grade drama—with its complicated friendships, bullies, and cute boys—when she earns an internship as a cub reporter at a local newspaper in the early 1970s. A (rare) young female reporter takes Cindy under her wing, and Cindy soon learns not only how to write a lede, but also how to respectfully question authority, how to assert herself in a world run by men, and—as the Watergate scandal unfolds—how brave reporting and writing can topple a corrupt world leader. Searching for her own scoops, Cindy doesn’t always get it right, on paper or in real life. But whether she’s writing features about ghost hunters, falling off her bicycle and into her first crush, or navigating shifting friendships, Cindy grows wiser and more confident through every awkward and hilarious mistake.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2020
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January 7, 2020
Cub, a graphic novel memoir, is a refreshing look at what it was like to grow up as a female in the school year of 1972 as we get to watch a young middle-grader navigate through friendships, boys, job/future opportunities, bullies, and more.
Thoughts:
There is so much to love about this graphic novel. Admittingly, I went into it rather skeptically. I’m not a big fan of the 70s decade, although it did give us Star Wars, and I question my ability to properly evaluate graphic novels. But only a page or two in and I was hooked by the drawings, humor, and main character.
Middle school life is tough. Cub starts out showing us what Cindy’s life is like at both home and school, but mostly school or otherwise known as the “Wild Kingdom,” introducing us to the bullies (and ways to avoid them), her best friend Katie, and then also her favorite teacher, Mrs. Schulz who teaches English. It is this teacher who gives Cindy the idea that she could one day become a writer and hooks her up with a local female newspaper reporter.
Soon, the big day arrives for her first assignment with the Leslie, the female newspaper writer, and off they go to The Board of Education’s Finance Subcommittee meeting. (Boy, that sounds like fun.) Cindy takes notes even though she has no idea what any of it means and feels a little down. But Leslie is great and gives her encouragement by providing a story about how Bob Woodward of the Washington Post started out.
As year progresses, Leslie and Cindy continue to go on more and more varying assignments and you can see Cindy’s enjoyment and confidence continue to grow as well. But at the same time, Cub also shows what happens in between the assignments as Cindy works through changing friendships and even boys! She makes mistakes, learns new things about herself and others and continues to evolve.
I was impressed by how Cub covers so many topics so very well, including:
- Difference between what stories female reporters were assigned to versus what male reporters were assigned to.
- 1970 current events including the Vietnam war, ERA Amendment, Nixon Watergate and presidential election.
- Difference in how fathers discussed future jobs with their sons as compared to their daughters.
- Cindy’s growing interest and encouragement in a variety of subjects that gave her growing confidence.
- How friendships grew and changed in the middle grade years.
If I ever get a chance to go back and relive a period of my life, it won’t be middle school and I would wager that this is true for most of us. It is that period of your life when you begin to start growing up emotionally, mentally, physically, and intellectually and it is tough. Cub encompasses many of these middle school moments so well in this graphic novel bringing everything to a satisfying conclusion.
Rating: 5 stars
Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review.
Thoughts:
There is so much to love about this graphic novel. Admittingly, I went into it rather skeptically. I’m not a big fan of the 70s decade, although it did give us Star Wars, and I question my ability to properly evaluate graphic novels. But only a page or two in and I was hooked by the drawings, humor, and main character.
Middle school life is tough. Cub starts out showing us what Cindy’s life is like at both home and school, but mostly school or otherwise known as the “Wild Kingdom,” introducing us to the bullies (and ways to avoid them), her best friend Katie, and then also her favorite teacher, Mrs. Schulz who teaches English. It is this teacher who gives Cindy the idea that she could one day become a writer and hooks her up with a local female newspaper reporter.
Soon, the big day arrives for her first assignment with the Leslie, the female newspaper writer, and off they go to The Board of Education’s Finance Subcommittee meeting. (Boy, that sounds like fun.) Cindy takes notes even though she has no idea what any of it means and feels a little down. But Leslie is great and gives her encouragement by providing a story about how Bob Woodward of the Washington Post started out.
As year progresses, Leslie and Cindy continue to go on more and more varying assignments and you can see Cindy’s enjoyment and confidence continue to grow as well. But at the same time, Cub also shows what happens in between the assignments as Cindy works through changing friendships and even boys! She makes mistakes, learns new things about herself and others and continues to evolve.
I was impressed by how Cub covers so many topics so very well, including:
- Difference between what stories female reporters were assigned to versus what male reporters were assigned to.
- 1970 current events including the Vietnam war, ERA Amendment, Nixon Watergate and presidential election.
- Difference in how fathers discussed future jobs with their sons as compared to their daughters.
- Cindy’s growing interest and encouragement in a variety of subjects that gave her growing confidence.
- How friendships grew and changed in the middle grade years.
If I ever get a chance to go back and relive a period of my life, it won’t be middle school and I would wager that this is true for most of us. It is that period of your life when you begin to start growing up emotionally, mentally, physically, and intellectually and it is tough. Cub encompasses many of these middle school moments so well in this graphic novel bringing everything to a satisfying conclusion.
Rating: 5 stars
Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for the advanced reader copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review.
August 30, 2019
*thank you to Netgalley, Algonquin Young Readers and Cynthia L Copeland for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
4 stars.
Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland, is an entertaining and well told story about a 12 year old girl who becomes a Cub Reporter, while also dealing with day to day life of being 12 years old and facing the minefield of the usual ups and downs of school life, with friendships, bullies, dating, hair and make up, and also discovering who you are. It's a lot to go through.
This Graphic Novel shows young females what it is like and her experiences while providing readers a positive role model. We get to follow Cindy through her journey in the early 1970s. It isn't always easy and it isn't always fun, but she gets through it by working out what she needs to do and with help from her mentor, a female reporter named Leslie Jacobs, she manages to learn how to be a reporter. She also discovers her love for drawing and photography, which she is very good at.
While aimed for middle grade readers, I reckon adults who are still children at heart will also this book. The illustrations are very good, both in the style and the colouring. I would highly recommend this for those who live authors such as, Shannon Hale, Kayla Miller and Raina Telgemeier.
4 stars.
Cub by Cynthia L. Copeland, is an entertaining and well told story about a 12 year old girl who becomes a Cub Reporter, while also dealing with day to day life of being 12 years old and facing the minefield of the usual ups and downs of school life, with friendships, bullies, dating, hair and make up, and also discovering who you are. It's a lot to go through.
This Graphic Novel shows young females what it is like and her experiences while providing readers a positive role model. We get to follow Cindy through her journey in the early 1970s. It isn't always easy and it isn't always fun, but she gets through it by working out what she needs to do and with help from her mentor, a female reporter named Leslie Jacobs, she manages to learn how to be a reporter. She also discovers her love for drawing and photography, which she is very good at.
While aimed for middle grade readers, I reckon adults who are still children at heart will also this book. The illustrations are very good, both in the style and the colouring. I would highly recommend this for those who live authors such as, Shannon Hale, Kayla Miller and Raina Telgemeier.
Read
November 28, 2019Discovering a knack for writing, Cindy's 7th grade English teacher suggests she consider a career in it. But never having met a writer before -- this was the early 70s before the internet made them more accessible -- her teacher tracks down a local female reporter to show her the behind-the-scenes of being a journalist. Cindy's interest grows, as does her experience, and she knows she's found her passion when she sees her name in print for the first time.
But this isn't just a graphic memoir about Cindy being a journalist. It's about being 12. Cindy's best friend is drifting away, toward a group of girls who'd always been mean toward them, and now Cindy has to figure out things like making new friends and figuring out where to sit in the lunch room. She's also navigating the ups and downs of having her first "boyfriend." It's when a new girl moves to town that Cindy sees the power in viewing people through a lens of freshness and that helps her connect with new friends . . . as well as revive old ones.
Fun art, with a lot of humor, this book nails being 12. Though set pre-internet and pre-cell phone, it'll resonate deeply. It reminded me quite a bit of NOW AND THEN and tapped into a lot of the feelings that film did for me about being young and hungry, but also scared and alone.
There's a lot of great stuff about the burgeoning second wave feminist movement, about environmentalism, and other social reforms that, well, remain much more similar now than should be. Though I read a print galley and it was in black and white, it's clear there's racial diversity among the characters in the book, which will be great to see in full color.
But this isn't just a graphic memoir about Cindy being a journalist. It's about being 12. Cindy's best friend is drifting away, toward a group of girls who'd always been mean toward them, and now Cindy has to figure out things like making new friends and figuring out where to sit in the lunch room. She's also navigating the ups and downs of having her first "boyfriend." It's when a new girl moves to town that Cindy sees the power in viewing people through a lens of freshness and that helps her connect with new friends . . . as well as revive old ones.
Fun art, with a lot of humor, this book nails being 12. Though set pre-internet and pre-cell phone, it'll resonate deeply. It reminded me quite a bit of NOW AND THEN and tapped into a lot of the feelings that film did for me about being young and hungry, but also scared and alone.
There's a lot of great stuff about the burgeoning second wave feminist movement, about environmentalism, and other social reforms that, well, remain much more similar now than should be. Though I read a print galley and it was in black and white, it's clear there's racial diversity among the characters in the book, which will be great to see in full color.
January 5, 2020
4/5 ⭐️
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest opinion.
This graphic novel is a memoir following Cynthia L. Copeland as she discovers her true passion for writing and being a reporter during the 1970s as she is twelve years old. She is given the opportunity to go on the field with another reporter thanks to her English teacher and becomes a cub reporter.
I have very rarely been disappointed by Middle Grade books and this one is no exception. It is excellent in the way it shows how to deal with bullies and embracing your passion. I loved the way it was written and it is truly empowering for women and young girls. The role model has a very positive role and is not afraid to show how much she loves what she is doing. I also really enjoyed the drawing style of this graphic novel.
The overall message of the story hit me right home and I do believe adults will enjoy this graphic novel as much as a younger audience.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest opinion.
This graphic novel is a memoir following Cynthia L. Copeland as she discovers her true passion for writing and being a reporter during the 1970s as she is twelve years old. She is given the opportunity to go on the field with another reporter thanks to her English teacher and becomes a cub reporter.
I have very rarely been disappointed by Middle Grade books and this one is no exception. It is excellent in the way it shows how to deal with bullies and embracing your passion. I loved the way it was written and it is truly empowering for women and young girls. The role model has a very positive role and is not afraid to show how much she loves what she is doing. I also really enjoyed the drawing style of this graphic novel.
The overall message of the story hit me right home and I do believe adults will enjoy this graphic novel as much as a younger audience.
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December 10, 2019
An absolutely adorable middle grade graphic memoir about growing up and finding your voice!
Cindy Copeland loves to write, but has never met a woman writer! When her English teacher hooks her up with an internship with a reporter for the local paper, Cindy starts to hone her craft, learn to observe and report—and realizes that flying under the radar isn't all that!
I utterly adored this. It was cute, sweet and poignant—and damn doesn't 1972 resemble 2019 an awful lot...
Which is all why fair and accurate reporting is more important than ever to get the truth out to people.
Cindy learns this, and also realizes the importance (and difficulty) of following your passion. It's not enough to have a talent for writing and an eye for composition—to be great there's a lot of hard work involved, and research and learning and perseverance, and a lot of success is being assertive and asking for what you want, or just going for an opportunity.
Leslie the reporter was a fantastic mentor, giving great constructive criticism and always doing her best to take Cindy with her without being condescending or diminishing of Cindy's talents or ignorance.
I also liked Cindy's relationships with her friends, as she and her BFF drift away (her BFF drawn to the greener pastures of the mean girls group) and Cindy collects other friends who are cool and fun and interesting.
Cindy's relationship with her family was also a great read. While I didn't like her father at all and was annoyed that he only realized Cindy had worth beyond her future as wife and mother when she wrote an article for the daily paper, I did like that he changed. It was a small change and perhaps only directed towards Cindy (and her brothers), but it did bring them closer and made him realize that his daughter had a talent and drive that should be nurtured just as much as his sons'.
Anywho, this is a great and very timely read about a girl growing up in a time of turmoil for America.
And when your country doesn't know what it is, how can you expect a 12-year-old to figure out herself?
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Cindy Copeland loves to write, but has never met a woman writer! When her English teacher hooks her up with an internship with a reporter for the local paper, Cindy starts to hone her craft, learn to observe and report—and realizes that flying under the radar isn't all that!
I utterly adored this. It was cute, sweet and poignant—and damn doesn't 1972 resemble 2019 an awful lot...
Our country is in turmoil, chaos in the White House, a senseless war, environmental crisis, women having to fight for equal rights...
Which is all why fair and accurate reporting is more important than ever to get the truth out to people.
Cindy learns this, and also realizes the importance (and difficulty) of following your passion. It's not enough to have a talent for writing and an eye for composition—to be great there's a lot of hard work involved, and research and learning and perseverance, and a lot of success is being assertive and asking for what you want, or just going for an opportunity.
Leslie the reporter was a fantastic mentor, giving great constructive criticism and always doing her best to take Cindy with her without being condescending or diminishing of Cindy's talents or ignorance.
I also liked Cindy's relationships with her friends, as she and her BFF drift away (her BFF drawn to the greener pastures of the mean girls group) and Cindy collects other friends who are cool and fun and interesting.
Cindy's relationship with her family was also a great read. While I didn't like her father at all and was annoyed that he only realized Cindy had worth beyond her future as wife and mother when she wrote an article for the daily paper, I did like that he changed. It was a small change and perhaps only directed towards Cindy (and her brothers), but it did bring them closer and made him realize that his daughter had a talent and drive that should be nurtured just as much as his sons'.
Anywho, this is a great and very timely read about a girl growing up in a time of turmoil for America.
And when your country doesn't know what it is, how can you expect a 12-year-old to figure out herself?
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
July 25, 2019
Loved this! As a mother of two teen girls this girl empowerment book really hit home. I didn’t grown up in the 70’s, but I was born in them. This book can relate to all girls on all levels of early teen drama and getting into adult ‘real-world’ issues. It was inspirational to put a female as the main character in the limelight.
Cindy is 12 and in 7th grade. She gets the opportunity as a new ‘cub reporter’ at the local newspaper. She sees up close how in the 70’s the job market was ruled by men, reporting and writing on a corrupt president in Watergate, All this while dealing with friends, boys and every other 12yr old drama that crosses her path!
Cindy is 12 and in 7th grade. She gets the opportunity as a new ‘cub reporter’ at the local newspaper. She sees up close how in the 70’s the job market was ruled by men, reporting and writing on a corrupt president in Watergate, All this while dealing with friends, boys and every other 12yr old drama that crosses her path!
February 5, 2020
A throwback coming of age narrative about a young girl finding her own voice. Cub could be easily derivative but Copeland manages to breathe new life into well-known tropes.
January 11, 2020
a big thank you to algonquin young readers for sending me an advanced readers' copy in exchange for an honest review. ♡
4.5 stars
cub is a fun middle grade graphic novel with some amazing lessons. in the book, the main character, cindy, a seventh-grader who aspires to become a reporter someday, gets an internship at a local newspaper, and starts discovering more about herself along the way.
cindy is such a relatable character, and i'm sure both young children and adults alike would find her story an interesting and inspiring one. in cub, cindy deals with bullies, her best friend becoming distant, and criticism on the newspaper articles she writes. but throughout the course of the novel, she meets new friends, stays strong, tries her hand at photography, and slowly gets better at writing. the character growth was so well written, and i loved reading about cindy's experiences at and outside of school.
i also really liked cindy's relationship with her english teacher, mrs schultz. mrs schultz has always been a bit of an outcast like cindy, seen from how she chooses to stay in her classroom rather than hang out with the rest of the teachers on their smoke breaks. she guides cindy and introduces her to a journalist at the local newspaper so that she can get a taste of her dream career. i feel that middle grade books often paint teachers as boring old farts just so they can make small kids (ie. their intended audience) crack up, but that isn't the case in cub and it's so refreshing and heartwarming to see such a great teacher-student relationship in a book for younger readers.
to sum up, cub is a fun read with the cutest illustrations, amazing friendships and important messages. would 10/10 recommend!
4.5 stars
cub is a fun middle grade graphic novel with some amazing lessons. in the book, the main character, cindy, a seventh-grader who aspires to become a reporter someday, gets an internship at a local newspaper, and starts discovering more about herself along the way.
cindy is such a relatable character, and i'm sure both young children and adults alike would find her story an interesting and inspiring one. in cub, cindy deals with bullies, her best friend becoming distant, and criticism on the newspaper articles she writes. but throughout the course of the novel, she meets new friends, stays strong, tries her hand at photography, and slowly gets better at writing. the character growth was so well written, and i loved reading about cindy's experiences at and outside of school.
i also really liked cindy's relationship with her english teacher, mrs schultz. mrs schultz has always been a bit of an outcast like cindy, seen from how she chooses to stay in her classroom rather than hang out with the rest of the teachers on their smoke breaks. she guides cindy and introduces her to a journalist at the local newspaper so that she can get a taste of her dream career. i feel that middle grade books often paint teachers as boring old farts just so they can make small kids (ie. their intended audience) crack up, but that isn't the case in cub and it's so refreshing and heartwarming to see such a great teacher-student relationship in a book for younger readers.
to sum up, cub is a fun read with the cutest illustrations, amazing friendships and important messages. would 10/10 recommend!
February 26, 2020
Popsugar Challenge 2020 - A book by or about a journalist
August 2, 2019
Cynthia Copeland’s graphic novel is very similar to new ones by Shannon Hale, Maria Scrivan and others. Seems like personal retrospectives directed at girls are the latest trend in the genre, but with positive themes like finding your own voice and being happy in your own skin also being a part of those books, this librarian is OK with the similar feel in many recent releases. In “Cub,” young Cindy equates life in 1970s junior high with the predator-prey dynamic in the animal kingdom and battles the same insecurities and friend drama that is common among teens and tweens. Readers will likely make connections and chuckle at scenes in the cafeteria, the Valentine’s dance and the school’s hallways. The illustrations are engaging and complement the text wonderfully. The publisher notes that the target audience is ages 8-12 and the reading level and simple plot support that range. However, Copeland makes a reference to one girl French kissing an older boy, has several girls making much about a picture that emphasizes a man’s “thing,” and one girl criticizes another because she is “a stiff” and probably won’t make out with a boy. Those kinds of statements make this a book for older readers and would cause a ruckus in my 4th and 5th grade libraries among both the giggling students and their unhappy parents. Placement for this book should be ages 12 and up. Thanks for the dARC, Edelweiss.
January 16, 2020
I loved this graphic novel so much! What a great way to inspire students to follow their dreams!
January 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this book!
It is set in the 1970s, but there were many parallels with today’s world. There were many news headlines that are similar to the ones today, like the Watergate scandal, women’s rights, and environmental concerns. This could make the story more relatable for kids today, even though it is set decades ago.
There were also universal parts of growing up in this story. Cindy had her first boyfriend, and she also had to deal with bullying and losing friends. At the same time, she made new friends, who she didn’t expect to like.
This was a great graphic novel!
Thank you Algonquin Young Readers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is set in the 1970s, but there were many parallels with today’s world. There were many news headlines that are similar to the ones today, like the Watergate scandal, women’s rights, and environmental concerns. This could make the story more relatable for kids today, even though it is set decades ago.
There were also universal parts of growing up in this story. Cindy had her first boyfriend, and she also had to deal with bullying and losing friends. At the same time, she made new friends, who she didn’t expect to like.
This was a great graphic novel!
Thank you Algonquin Young Readers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2020
I honestly wasn't too interested in reading this one until I learned it was set in the early 1970s. I guess it's the grumpy old person coming out, but I don't really have a lot of interest in reading about young people post-digital revolution. But anyway, this is a junior comic memoir based upon the author's own experiences as a junior high "cub" reporter shadowing a local newspaper's only female reporter.
Young Cindy struggles through the universal troubles of that age group: cliques, rapidly shifting friendships, dating woes, and so forth. Larger societal issues that may have seemed confined to their era will seem eerily prescient to attentive readers: a White House embroiled in scandal, an arduously long war, a more politically active and engaged segment of the population making themselves heard.
I did find it a little funny that the "mean girls" clique who bullied Cindy and her friends dressed like hippies, whereas I got bullied for dressing in the same way, twenty years later. I am happy that Cindy had plenty of other friends to back her up, although I do question whether the bullied kids would have stood up to the bullies en masse the way they did in the book. I sometimes wonder if I just grew up in an especially vicious time for bullies, or if our memories of how childhood actually went get a little too rosy as time passes.
Young Cindy struggles through the universal troubles of that age group: cliques, rapidly shifting friendships, dating woes, and so forth. Larger societal issues that may have seemed confined to their era will seem eerily prescient to attentive readers: a White House embroiled in scandal, an arduously long war, a more politically active and engaged segment of the population making themselves heard.
I did find it a little funny that the "mean girls" clique who bullied Cindy and her friends dressed like hippies, whereas I got bullied for dressing in the same way, twenty years later. I am happy that Cindy had plenty of other friends to back her up, although I do question whether the bullied kids would have stood up to the bullies en masse the way they did in the book. I sometimes wonder if I just grew up in an especially vicious time for bullies, or if our memories of how childhood actually went get a little too rosy as time passes.
June 21, 2021
Katy rated it 4 stars
November 25, 2021
So good!
August 25, 2019
Look, I'm not going to sit here and pretend I know what a good book for a 12 yo is. There's this scene in this book where the older reporter who is mentoring our cub gives her The Second Sex, The Feminist Mystique and Silent Spring to read. I'd do that and even i didn't get through The second sex. So I'm kind of a bad judge.
However, I do have to say that I agreed -and enjoyed- all that was there in this book. I was cheering for our 12 yo feminist reporter, photographer, artist, hybrid person all along. And if at times I felt like things were a bit too easy and more intersectional aspects of feminism weren't touched, the way it did handle the tricky problems posed (there's a dad that's a bit off) was not bad. There was never a point where things got bitter or even sour (rankling the part of me that waits for insurmountable and unresolvable issues at every corner), but like i've said I don't know what's good for a 12 yo. This is a 'memoir' though, so I'm really not sure if i'm supposed to see it from that aspect. But that's it I suppose. I've said all I want to. Super enjoyed it. Thanks for teaching me journalism better than my school ever did.
However, I do have to say that I agreed -and enjoyed- all that was there in this book. I was cheering for our 12 yo feminist reporter, photographer, artist, hybrid person all along. And if at times I felt like things were a bit too easy and more intersectional aspects of feminism weren't touched, the way it did handle the tricky problems posed (there's a dad that's a bit off) was not bad. There was never a point where things got bitter or even sour (rankling the part of me that waits for insurmountable and unresolvable issues at every corner), but like i've said I don't know what's good for a 12 yo. This is a 'memoir' though, so I'm really not sure if i'm supposed to see it from that aspect. But that's it I suppose. I've said all I want to. Super enjoyed it. Thanks for teaching me journalism better than my school ever did.
January 16, 2020
Cub is the story of a "cub" reporter in the 1970's.
Our MC Cindy begins to shadow a female journalist and is taught how to write articles for her local newspaper.
Cub is a really good Coming-Of-Age story that shows Cindy trying to navigate life at school, life at home, life at work/job-shadowing, and also trying to navigate the highs and lows of friendships and dating. Cub shows Cindy come into her own and the hard but necessary journey along the way.
I love that the story is based in the 1970s and that it's more of a "modern" historical fiction. I also loved that the actual things that were taking place in the news at the time the story takes place, are also talked about in the book.
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher and the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Our MC Cindy begins to shadow a female journalist and is taught how to write articles for her local newspaper.
Cub is a really good Coming-Of-Age story that shows Cindy trying to navigate life at school, life at home, life at work/job-shadowing, and also trying to navigate the highs and lows of friendships and dating. Cub shows Cindy come into her own and the hard but necessary journey along the way.
I love that the story is based in the 1970s and that it's more of a "modern" historical fiction. I also loved that the actual things that were taking place in the news at the time the story takes place, are also talked about in the book.
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher and the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2019
This is a fun historical fiction graphic novel (based on true events). Mean girls AKA "the predators" are tough to navigate no matter the era, and this story about finding your tribe and your voice will resonate with kids of all ages. Copeland's juxtaposition of common social stresses with the historic rise of feminism, Watergate, and Vietnam make a compelling read.
Read
March 9, 2020Hand this 1970s graphic novel memoir to young writers. Cindy writes about navigating friendships in middle school and having her first job as a cub reporter for the local newspaper. Fans of Shannon Hale's and Jennifer L. Holm's graphic memoirs will enjoy this one, as well.
January 11, 2020
This graphic novel looks at life in middle school during the 1970’s, a time filled with bullies, bell bottoms, and possibilities. Cindy is in seventh grade and dealing with being one of the prey in a school with plenty of predators, particularly mean girls. Cindy plays dead and doesn’t react to the comments of people like Evie Exley, so they leave her alone. Cindy loves reading and creating art, so when her favorite English teacher suggests that she become a writer, Cindy jumps at the chance. Soon she is working as a cub reporter for the local paper, accompanying a real reporter to meetings and events around the community. She starts taking photographs and learns to edit her writing to be appropriate for a newspaper. She also finds her voice and a group of friends who are just as unique as she is.
Middle school can be painful but this graphic novel is a breath of fresh air. While it does address the larger issues of middle school bullying, it is truly about simply being yourself in the midst of it all and finding other kids who are doing the same thing. There is a touch of romance here, but only a touch that is just right for the seventh grade setting. The focus on self-esteem and following your dreams is a call for all young girls to find their own paths and then work hard to reach their goals. Cindy is an example of someone who makes mistakes, learns from them, improves and reaches goals that she may not have realized she even had in the beginning.
The art in this graphic novel is immensely approachable, embracing the seventies setting with fashion, hair styles, and the cars being driven. The time period is a large part of the story as Watergate is breaking just as Cindy starts being a cub reporter. Journalism is an inspiring profession both in the seventies and today, something that is worth commenting on in today’s world.
A graphic novel with a strong female protagonist who follows her own dreams. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
Middle school can be painful but this graphic novel is a breath of fresh air. While it does address the larger issues of middle school bullying, it is truly about simply being yourself in the midst of it all and finding other kids who are doing the same thing. There is a touch of romance here, but only a touch that is just right for the seventh grade setting. The focus on self-esteem and following your dreams is a call for all young girls to find their own paths and then work hard to reach their goals. Cindy is an example of someone who makes mistakes, learns from them, improves and reaches goals that she may not have realized she even had in the beginning.
The art in this graphic novel is immensely approachable, embracing the seventies setting with fashion, hair styles, and the cars being driven. The time period is a large part of the story as Watergate is breaking just as Cindy starts being a cub reporter. Journalism is an inspiring profession both in the seventies and today, something that is worth commenting on in today’s world.
A graphic novel with a strong female protagonist who follows her own dreams. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
August 31, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This was pretty cute, I love middle grade graphic memoirs, so I was excited to read this, but unfortunately, this didn't quite reach the level of other books in this genre that I've loved like Smile, Real Friends, and El Deafo. I think this book just maybe has less crossover appeal for general audiences. The other books I've mentioned are books that I feel children and adults can enjoy, but this one felt more like it was just for kids, which is absolutely fine and doesn't mean I think this has less value than those other books. It just means that for me, I didn't get the same enjoyment from it. I also wasn't super keen on the art, it just wasn't my kind of style, so overall, while I had fun reading this, it's not particularly one I would recommend to adults who enjoy middle grade.
This was pretty cute, I love middle grade graphic memoirs, so I was excited to read this, but unfortunately, this didn't quite reach the level of other books in this genre that I've loved like Smile, Real Friends, and El Deafo. I think this book just maybe has less crossover appeal for general audiences. The other books I've mentioned are books that I feel children and adults can enjoy, but this one felt more like it was just for kids, which is absolutely fine and doesn't mean I think this has less value than those other books. It just means that for me, I didn't get the same enjoyment from it. I also wasn't super keen on the art, it just wasn't my kind of style, so overall, while I had fun reading this, it's not particularly one I would recommend to adults who enjoy middle grade.
November 27, 2019
I received an ARC at NCTE (and immediately read it!). Thank you, Algonquin!
CUB is the story of 7th Grade student Cindy as she navigates a year in middle school (1972-1973). She is a shy kid who aims to stay under the radar, until a teacher connects her with a local reporter. Slowly, Cindy begins to come out of her shell, both in her writing and with her family and friends. Of course, this means she also becomes a bigger target for the school mean girls group...
I admit I don’t often read books where a gentle plot through school drama is the central focus, but I found CUB charming and engaging. I really liked that Cindy’s personal growth is set against the backdrop of world news (war in Vietnam, Nixon’s presidency), and I could see this as a really useful resource for students reading this book (a great way to help readers think about both the character herself and the world she lived in, without feeling like too much history). It reminded me a bit of THE WONDER YEARS, actually, in that sense.
I’d recommend this for readers who have an interest in news/reporting/writing/photography and who are also at that stage of discovering themselves, their parents, and their true friends.
CUB is the story of 7th Grade student Cindy as she navigates a year in middle school (1972-1973). She is a shy kid who aims to stay under the radar, until a teacher connects her with a local reporter. Slowly, Cindy begins to come out of her shell, both in her writing and with her family and friends. Of course, this means she also becomes a bigger target for the school mean girls group...
I admit I don’t often read books where a gentle plot through school drama is the central focus, but I found CUB charming and engaging. I really liked that Cindy’s personal growth is set against the backdrop of world news (war in Vietnam, Nixon’s presidency), and I could see this as a really useful resource for students reading this book (a great way to help readers think about both the character herself and the world she lived in, without feeling like too much history). It reminded me a bit of THE WONDER YEARS, actually, in that sense.
I’d recommend this for readers who have an interest in news/reporting/writing/photography and who are also at that stage of discovering themselves, their parents, and their true friends.
December 3, 2019
I read this from an ARC, so I haven't seen the color version of the art.
While not quite as good as the best graphic non-fiction for middle-school readers, it's certainly a really good read. Because so much of the story is fixed in a specific time, it can be a little distracting. The main character is in 7th grade when Nixon is re-elected and the announcement of the end of the Vietnam war is made, so these things dominate the scenes in which she is learning about how to be a reporter. There is also, though, the point that the male reporters are covering the big news, and the female reporter is stuck covering the fluff, which only changes during the story. That, combined with things like the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment for women, puts a lot of things in perspective, and that is very well done.
Unfortunately, a small number of readers will have trouble getting into the historical parts of the story. That's really too bad, because the story itself covers a lot of things, including surviving life in middle school, getting past the "mean girl" clique's activities, and changes in the way you live and think about things as you grow up.
While not quite as good as the best graphic non-fiction for middle-school readers, it's certainly a really good read. Because so much of the story is fixed in a specific time, it can be a little distracting. The main character is in 7th grade when Nixon is re-elected and the announcement of the end of the Vietnam war is made, so these things dominate the scenes in which she is learning about how to be a reporter. There is also, though, the point that the male reporters are covering the big news, and the female reporter is stuck covering the fluff, which only changes during the story. That, combined with things like the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment for women, puts a lot of things in perspective, and that is very well done.
Unfortunately, a small number of readers will have trouble getting into the historical parts of the story. That's really too bad, because the story itself covers a lot of things, including surviving life in middle school, getting past the "mean girl" clique's activities, and changes in the way you live and think about things as you grow up.
April 22, 2020
Cindy is suffering the usual slings and arrows of seventh grade: forsaken by her best friend, confused about boys, misunderstood by her parents, especially her father, who favors her brothers. When she lands a position as a “cub” reporter for the local paper and a young female journalist takes her under her wing, Cindy’s '70s world expands exponentially. As she learns how to write an effective lede and to get all her facts straight, she also witnesses the power of investigative journalism to uncover a scandal like Watergate and topple a corrupt president. Young readers will root for Cindy as she scoops a few stories of her own, wins her father’s admiration, and discovers where her true strengths and passions lie. One can fervently hope readers will also absorb a lesson on the importance of a vital press.
December 20, 2019
Cub is an absolute genius way to tell your story! I was a little worried about reading this because I tend to not read memoirs. It could be from all the years of having to do research papers for school, but memoirs just don't do it for me. I enjoyed every page of this! There were moments where I had to remind myself of the time period, but I thought it was interesting to see how much time has changed, but how much it also stayed the same. The accurate description of what it junior school is like brought back memories, not bad memories, but memories nonetheless. It was inspiring to read about a teacher who takes a particular interest in Cynthia and to watch the excitement on her face as one of her articles is published in the newspaper, along with her writing articles while Leslie, proofs them. Cub shows young readers, but specifically, young women, your dreams are obtainable, once your dreams become obtainable, dream bigger. This was so interesting, I read this in one sitting!
December 23, 2019
Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for sending me an ARC of this book!
Cub was an awesome read! I read this in one sitting and loved every page of it.
Even though Cub was a book way out of my normal genre - a children's nonfiction graphic novel, which I've never read before - I'm so glad that I got to experience it. Cub is a memoir about the author and her middle-school experience as a "cub reporter" in the 1970's, where she gets to be an intern for a local newspaper editor. Cub isn't just about journalism, though; the book has a strong message about growing up and how popularity is less important than accepting yourself and achieving your goals in life. I swear I almost cried at the end because Cub's theme was so powerful!
The only thing I did not like about Cub was the art style. The drawings seemed more sloppy towards the end, and it wasn't that great to begin with. The art does the job of portraying its message, though.
I really thought that Cub wouldn't be for me because its subject matter is so specific. However, I loved this graphic novel even though I don't plan on becoming a journalist, and I think that any kid would like this book, no matter what career they're planning on having when they grow up.
Cub was an awesome read! I read this in one sitting and loved every page of it.
Even though Cub was a book way out of my normal genre - a children's nonfiction graphic novel, which I've never read before - I'm so glad that I got to experience it. Cub is a memoir about the author and her middle-school experience as a "cub reporter" in the 1970's, where she gets to be an intern for a local newspaper editor. Cub isn't just about journalism, though; the book has a strong message about growing up and how popularity is less important than accepting yourself and achieving your goals in life. I swear I almost cried at the end because Cub's theme was so powerful!
The only thing I did not like about Cub was the art style. The drawings seemed more sloppy towards the end, and it wasn't that great to begin with. The art does the job of portraying its message, though.
I really thought that Cub wouldn't be for me because its subject matter is so specific. However, I loved this graphic novel even though I don't plan on becoming a journalist, and I think that any kid would like this book, no matter what career they're planning on having when they grow up.
June 28, 2022
I was a little surprised, given current events (after this book was published, of course), that there was no mention of the court's decision on Roe v. Wade (Jan. 1973), but consider that there was so much else going on at the time- and there was- and that the author recounts her younger self's recollections both of being a cub reporter at the time, and of just being a junior high school student at the time, with constantly amazing (for better and for worse) news arriving in the paper and on TV. She discovered had a talent for reporting and photography, and had the opportunity to have this nurtured at the right time- it makes an overall fun and happy read, for me.
August 9, 2020
Shot to the top of my list as one of the best books I've ever read. Should be required reading for everyone in middle school and beyond. A story of pushing back against bullies and finding your voice ... and not letting anyone else write your story. Speaking of writing stories, it's also an introduction to journalism and pursuing your dreams at a young age. I wish I'd read this book when I was twelve instead of decades later. Gorgeous illustrations, too. Based on the author's life. Truly a lovely masterpiece for kids and adults.
January 26, 2021
Enjoyed this book about striving to do what you are interested in. Friendship and feeling comfortable with who you are is another theme in this book. I liked to see her writing development as she followed her role model around becoming a cub reporter. I appreciated her dad supporting her. I always wanted a dark room. It was sad about her friendship with Kevin. I loved the 70s sketchbook in the back.
The only thing I remember was adding lace to the bottom and V in your flairs(3rd grade for me). She was older than me. I remember asking my mom for white go-go boots in first grade. I did have a mood ring, leather ponytail holder, and a poncho(my grandma knitted mine).
The only thing I remember was adding lace to the bottom and V in your flairs(3rd grade for me). She was older than me. I remember asking my mom for white go-go boots in first grade. I did have a mood ring, leather ponytail holder, and a poncho(my grandma knitted mine).
Read
January 27, 2020This hit all the right notes about growing apart from friends and finding yourself, but also had a healthy dose of timely current day issues (which shows in some ways how slowly we've progressed from 1972)). The author did a good job grounding it in the time period, with panels showing what was cool for clothing and slang as well as touching on age appropriate discussions about women in the workplace. All this paired with solid art leaves readers with a lot to like.
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