Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Vera Brogsol’s graphic novel memoir “Be Prepared” follows her nine-year-old self trying to fit in with her American school-friends, while her mom tries to keep the kids in touch with their Russian roots. Vera’s cute expressive artwork makes this book a fun ride and reminded me of Maggie Thrash’s memoir “Honor Girl”, even though the two works are a world apart, both in terms of the illustrations and the themes explored.
“Be Prepared” is quite simple in its premise and focuses on Vera’s experience at her first ever summer camp in Connecticut and her struggle to fit on with the other girls. The camp is for both boys and girls of Russian descent and the kids engage in activities such as hiking, playing, fighting, drawing, and attending church services. While the story is centered around the classic “camp sucks until you make friends” trope, the book’s illustrations make it an enjoyable read. There’s a slight “mean girls” situation going on in the story, so there’s mild bullying in the tale, but nothing too horrifying or sad.
The creator’s art style is slightly different from their debut work “Anya’s Ghost,” but both graphic novels are entertaining in their own right. Vera Brogosol delights readers at the end by attaching a photocopy of a letter she had written to her mother from camp as a scared unhappy little girl trying to figure things out. “Be Prepared” is definitely targeted at a younger audience, the protagonist is only nine after all, but it manages to be quick breezy read for adult readers too.
It’s a 4 on 5 from me.
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