I continue to believe that a graphic novel is the perfect format for the semi-biographical middle school story. You can show all the emotion, all the conflict, all the embarrassment, and even the imagination.

Fresh Start joins the many classic stories that fit that description. Our hero is Ollie (not the same name as the author this time), and her family has just moved from Germany to Virginia - much like my own family did (but I was an adult, though my youngest was not). This is only one of many moves for Ollie's family, and she's a little rattled when her parents announce they've decided to settle down. Ollie may have to actually make friends.

And of course that isn't easy. And there are mistaken first impressions and other difficulties to navigate. Ollie is also half Thai, and her mother wants her to get involved in the Thai community that turns out to be there - including Ollie's blonde classmate she thought was the perfect American.

So this is a graphic novel about navigating a new school, pressures from family and friends, and navigating blended cultures. So it's similar to many books along this line - but Ollie has her own unique quirks and she will find an audience ready to be her friend.