The characters—and creators—from Go With the Flow, the 2020 graphic novel about the politics around menstrual products in schools, return. The events here are less focused, more character-driven, which makes it all the more enjoyable to catch up with Abby, Brit, Christine, and Sasha.

A greater variety of plot lines makes more room for their diverse personalities. Christine is thinking about coming out … and telling Abby about her feelings for her. Abby is continuing her crusade, but in a less intense way. Brit has a crush on a smooth-talking boy, who might be more of a troublemaker than he looks, while Sasha is letting her romance take her attention from schoolwork and other priorities.

The storytelling is less didactic than in the previous book. It’s more episodic, which feels realistic. The challenges—balancing all the things you want and need to do, how and when to come out, setting boundaries, choosing someone to date—are relatable and a good balance of life-changing but age-appropriate for teens.

The art is comfortable, colorful, and easy to read. The overall message, that you can make things better by trying again, is welcome and encouraging. There are also discussions of found family, revisiting incorrect assumptions about others, and acceptance without having to define yourself, all of which are appreciated.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

SUPER CUTE graphic novel! These are my favourite types of books honestly, the graphics were eye-catching and adorable and the storyline was unique and charming. I did like this one a bit better than the first book, "Go with the flow" but they were both cute. Dealing with health issues that aren't often talking about in JUV/YA books is great. I had a patron whose daughter was diagnosed with endometriosis like Brit so she was excited to hear about this series!

A great follow up to "Go With the Flow." Some really great messaging here about how relationships can negatively impact your life/behaviors even when they are not negative or unhealthy relationships. Love the positive, supportive, low-drama female friendships here.

Just by looking at the art, I could tell that this would be a hit with the readers. With an influx of middle grade graphic novels, I didn't think that there was anything noteworthy about it.

I never thought Go With the Flow would get a sequel, but I'm glad it did because I feel like we got a lot more of the characters in this book. This is the modern Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in graphic novel format.

This book is a delightful, touching, and highly enjoyable read.

I thoroughly enjoyed delving deeper into the lives of the main characters - Abby, Britt, Christine, and Sasha, each displaying a blend of sweetness, silliness, and wisdom.

The girls navigate various aspects of life, including friendships, romantic entanglements, the process of coming out, undergoing endometriosis surgery, and engaging in period activism.

The book seamlessly integrates incidental representation, skillfully incorporating education on endometriosis and promoting menstrual equality within the narrative.

The interconnected narratives flow seamlessly, allowing readers to glimpse into each girl's inner world, anxieties, and the mutual support they offer one another.

Overall, it's a beautifully crafted middle-grade read, expertly pieced together for a captivating experience.

Rejoin Brit, Abby, Sasha and Christine for their first semester of junior year following Go With The Flow. Love is in the air, but is it too much or too little? Too open? Too queer? Peppered along this storyline following friendships and relationships is the fight for menstrual products in every bathroom and the equality for all.

I loved this first graphic novel and this one is absolutely a gem. Beautifully paced, stunningly illustrated and a delight to read.

Look On the Bright Side picks up on Junior year for Sasha, Brit, Abby, and Christine. Abby is dealing with writer's block. Brit had surgery for her pelvic pain. Christine is pining for Abby. Sasha is head over heels in love with her boyfriend. The friends navigate crushes, loves, misunderstandings, and more in this tale. Brit's story line is loosely based on Pride and Prejudice and readers familiar with the classic tale will see a mile away. Abby joins the LGBTQ+ club to help promote her latest, New Principal approved initiative to get free menstrual products in all the bathrooms for all the gender. Christine is navigating traumatic feelings as well as questioning can her and Abby be more. Sasha has a wake-up call regarding her grades and has to make some decisions. There is a lot happening in this book, but the characters are no different than the previous books. Themes of friendship are discussed and explore. Themes of love are discussed and explored. It's a tale perfect for tween and teen readers navigating all that confusing stuff. I did appreciate the explanation of Brit's surgery in the beginning, but wish that they had discussed her pelvic therapy because that is something I wish I had known about earlier in life. Overall though, this is a must read and must have, especially for fans of Go With the Flow.

An excellent follow-up to their first graphic novel, this title addressed questions readers might have had from the first book about relationships that the characters end up in. Of note, this book did feel more relationship focused than the first, but still addressed important topics like endometriosis treatment.

A fun follow up to Go with the Flow. Loved another stories with the cute characters learning life lessons as the grow up.

A really cute slice of life story of 4 friends navigating their teenage experience. The artwork was charming and the story did a good job of showing many different experiences in one connected story.

A wonderful follow up to Go With the Flow, as the reader reads about the new paths Brit, Abby, Christine & Sasha are navigating as they a new year at Hazelton High. Friendships are tested, feelings are tested. Brit’s storyline, a nod to Pride & Prejudice was a favorite. Christine is struggling with her feelings for Abby & Sasha is over her head in her new relationship, which is starting to affect her grades. Can the girls make it through the new year without too many meltdowns? Perfect addition to your library GN collection!

What a cute story of friendship. I haven't read the first book "Go with the Flow," but I will definitely have to read it now! I thought the characters in this book were well thought out and had great character development. I enjoyed the story and felt like I was their friend as well. Highly recommend this book to all lovers of graphic novels and friendship!

This highly anticipated follow-up to Eisner award-winning Go With the Flow delivers! Look on the Bright Side brings readers back to Hazelton High and the lives of Brit, Abby, Christine, and Sasha.

Abby's discouraged by reduced viewership of her blog and struggling in school. Christine has feelings for BFF Abby, and debates whether she can tell her without risking their friendship. Brit recently underwent surgery to reduce symptoms of endometriosis. Now back at school, she's confused by the cute boy in her class always wanting her help, and the other cute boy who's standoffish. And Sasha is head over heels for her first boyfriend, but avoiding homework and ditching friends to spend time with him.

As the four friends struggle to find their footing during a new school year, their unique journeys with online presence, dealing with health concerns, setting relationship boundaries and complicated crushes are highlighted. To make it through with their friendships intact, they'll need to communicate, keep an open mind, and be vulnerable.

This endearing and inspiring glimpse at growing up will appeal to high school readers who love coming of age and social justice realistic fiction. Recommended for all high school and public libraries.

Refreshing graphic novel about friendship, crushes, and hectic high school life. Engaging and individually nuanced characters combined with bright illustrations make this a terrific read.

After Go with the Flow (the first adventure of four best friends, Brit, Abby, Christine and Sasha), I was eager to see if creators Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann would come back to Hazelton High for a second story. And this is it! A new year, new romances…

I must say, I think Look on the Bright Side could work as a standalone itself. Yes, there are instances where the characters are talking about things that happened in Go with the Flow, but I am pretty sure any reader would be able to understand what is going on without needing any more information. That said, I recommend everybody to go and check Go with the Flow as well.
Once more, the four friends are the most realistic high schoolers I read about in a while. Their dramas, their doubts… it feels so genuine that it makes you forget high school happened a long, long, long time ago.
Another positive aspect I would like to pinpoint is the topics chosen for this reunion. I was so happy to see the way in which endometriosis was explained! As a sufferer myself, there are not many instances where you can feel so seen and understood (I know this is an issue that has been getting more attention lately, but it was such a nice, warm surprise nonetheless). The topic of identity is very well described and shown as well. What Christine is feeling is clear in every page, her gestures and faces amazingly accurate, her fear of messing things up a true depiction of what the reader could be going through.

To sum up, Look on the Bright Side is both the perfect sequel to Go with the Flow and an amazing high school comic in its own right.

I loved this and am so glad to be reunited with these friends! I loved seeing these beloved characters navigating new issues and identities. I felt that there was a diverse range of topics covered without seeming preachy. My one complaint overall is that sometimes it was hard to tell that the characters were juniors in high school. The vibe and drawings sometimes made it feel a bit younger