Duel by Jessixa Bagley, and Aaron Bagley - HIGH

Duel by Jessixa Bagley, illustrated by Aaron Bagley, 216 pages.  GRAPHIC NOVEL Simon and Schuster, 2023. $25 

Language: PG (2 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Lucy is trying to navigate her first year of middle school as a 6th grader when she is humiliated in the cafeteria by her 8th-grade sister, Gigi. Lucy challenges Gigi to a fencing duel in front of the school so Gigi will leave her alone. The sisters haven't gotten along since the death of their father. Both girls want to win, but the cost could be high. 

Duel has more depth than first glance might indicate. I learned a lot about fencing, but the themes of loss and grief and how we sometimes deal with that poorly are very relatable and the family dynamics are believable. The layout and art make it an easy read. Good for anyone struggling with sibling rivalry and the fencing is a bonus. Race is never specified, but the girls are drawn of black descent and the mother white. 

Michelle in the Middle