However, there are other relationships that are shown as well that are not healthy ones. The main story is one of a crush developing into an healthy budding romance. In this volume, she tackles the issues of love and bullying. It’s also so refreshing to have a story involving first crushes from a boy’s perspective.Ĭrush is the third book in the Berrybrook School series by Svetlana Chmakova, but each book follows a different character so it can easily be read as a standalone story. Svetlana Chmakova does it again She perfectly captures the events and emotions that fill our middle school days. This graphic novel really captures those quick relationship changes. It subtly touches on some important issues, particularly respect, bullying and body autonomy, and the author handles these with balance and integrity. Until he realizes that hes got a massive crush on Jazmine and his world is suddenly tilted. Jorge is a genuinely good guy – though with relatable insecurities – while his best friend Olivia is feisty and empowered. This is a dynamic and authentically told graphic novel with some fantastic characters.

He definitely doesn’t have a crush – does he?Ĭrush follows everyday life at school with Jorge and his friends as he tries to figure out the new feelings he has for Jazmine, along with the ups and downs of other school friendships and school corridor goings-on, from the changing relationship between his two best friends to the bullying ‘lad’ behaviour of class jock James. Whenever he sees Jazmine, though, he gets totally tongue-tied. In addition to a standalone release, Diary will be included in a Berrybrook Middle School box set along with Awkward, Brave, and Crush. Jorge has a pretty comfortable life here: a spot on the athletics team and two brilliant friends. Svetlana Chmakovas Berrybrook Middle School series is one delight after another.

Crush by svetlana chmakova