Amber Brown and Justin Daniels are best friends and neighbours. They sit beside each other in class and do everything together. When Justin’s parents put their house up for sale, Amber and Justin start fighting. Amber feels like she’s lost her best friend before he’s even moved away. They must try to make up before Amber loses her best friend forever.

I loved the Amber Brown books when I was a kid, so I was excited to read this graphic novel. These stories show kids dealing with relatable problems, like parents divorcing, friends moving away, and bullying. I really enjoyed this graphic novel!

Amber Brown is Not a Crayon is a great children’s graphic novel!

Thank you Penguin Young Readers for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: parents divorce, bullying

Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel, adapted by Victoria Ying from Paula Danziger’s beloved chapter book series, breathes new life into the story of Amber Brown and her best friend, Justin Daniels. This graphic novel is a vibrant and engaging retelling that resonates with both new readers and longtime fans of the series.

Amber Brown and Justin Daniels share an inseparable bond. They've known each other for years, sharing classes, homework, and unwavering support. Their friendship is a beacon of consistency in Amber’s life, especially as she navigates the challenges of shared custody between her parents. However, their world is turned upside down when Justin announces he’s moving away. The impending separation tests their friendship, leading to misunderstandings and arguments. The question looms: can they reconcile before it’s too late?

The graphic novel format enhances the story’s accessibility and appeal, particularly for younger readers. Victoria Ying’s illustrations are bold and colorful, mirroring Amber’s own vibrant personality. The visual storytelling is expressive, capturing the emotional highs and lows of Amber and Justin’s friendship. The illustrations bring a new dimension to the narrative, making it more immersive and engaging.

One of the strengths of this adaptation is its ability to tackle complex themes such as friendship, change, and conflict with a lighthearted yet thoughtful approach. The humor and puns that are characteristic of Paula Danziger’s original books are seamlessly integrated into the graphic novel. These elements not only provide comic relief but also make the story more relatable and enjoyable for children.

Amber Brown is a character that many children can see themselves in. She’s bold, bright, and unafraid to express her feelings. Her struggles with Justin’s move and the resultant emotional turmoil are portrayed with sensitivity and realism. This makes the book a valuable tool for discussing themes of change and coping with difficult emotions with young readers.

Reflecting on my own childhood, I remember the excitement of discovering Paula Danziger’s books. Seeing an author with the same first name was a big hit for the 8-9-year-old me. This graphic novel adaptation rekindles that nostalgia while offering a fresh take for the current generation.

In conclusion, Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel is a delightful read that captures the essence of Paula Danziger’s beloved series while adding a modern twist. It’s perfect for children navigating their own friendships and changes, providing both comfort and entertainment. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to Amber Brown’s world, this graphic novel is a must-read.

In this graphic novel version of Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon, third grader Amber is dealing with her best friend Justin's impending move to far away Alabama. As the move gets closer, Amber worries more and more about losing Justin and who will be her best friend after Justin leaves, while Justin seems excited about moving to a new home and a new school. While cleaning out Justin's room, the two squabble and Amber vows to never speak to Justin again. Amber's mom serves as the voice of reason, helping to temper Amber's feelings and lead her to a resolution of her conflict with Justin.
The graphic novel's supportive illustrations along with touches of humor mixed in deliver an accessible message to readers about complex issues around friendship and communication. The situations and emotions in this book will be relatable to many elementary grade readers and with its short chapters, it will be especially engaging to reluctant readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC to read and review.

Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel is the adaptation of Paula Danziger's chapter book first written in 1994, into a graphic novel. It was also adapted into a TV series for Apple TV+ in 2022 and lasted for one season.

Since preschool, third-grader Amber Brown and Justin Daniels have been inseparable, the best of friends. They have always sat together at school; Justin helps Amber with her fractions, while she helps with any writing assignments. They also spend time together at each other's houses after school. Justin was the one who was there for Amber when her parents got divorced and her dad moved away to France.
But now that Justin's dad got a new job in Alabama, his parents are planning to sell their house and move away, leaving Amber really sad. She struggles to imagine her life without Justin, who will be her best friend now? Justin seems to be adjusting quite well to the move, claiming that "everything is going great." While also avoiding discussing his feelings about how the move makes him really feel with her, despite her many attempts to bring up the topic, leaving Amber confused and really mad.

While helping Justin pack his room, they find a ball made of chewing gum which they both contributed to. Justin decides to throw it away, which sparks a huge argument, and Amber vows she'll never speak to him ever again. Thankfully, Amber's hurt feelings don't last long and soon she's trying to find a way for them to makeup before Justin has to move.

I deeply related to Amber's feelings of not wanting her friend to move and the fear of being alone. As an army brat, my family moved roughly every three years during my childhood. Often, I was the one leaving or a friend's dad received orders to move to a new post. Saying goodbye can be incredibly tough and challenging for kids to adapt to. I believe the story addressed this with sensitivity, conveying how Amber had already experienced loss due to her parents' divorce, and how now having to deal with Justin's impending move compounded things for her. She shows considerable sadness and anger, yet you can tell that she really cares for Justin. With its short chapters, vibrant, full color illustrations and concise text this book is an excellent adaptation for young readers tackling similar issues and emotions. I'm really hoping that the rest of Danziger's chapter books will be adapted into graphic novels. As a bonus the back of the book features a behind-the-scenes look at the development of the characters and insight into Victoria Ying's process for creating the interior artwork.

**A huge thank you to Media Matters Publicity and the Publisher for the E-ARC via NetGalley**

A sweet and faithful adaptation of Danziger's beloved book and heroine. Will certainly be popular with younger graphic readers and may increase interest in the original series as well. Readers will definitely be eager for the sequels.

I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
The dialogue and artwork capture Danziger's characters and plot. Amber and Justin have been best friends since preschool. Now. Justin is moving to a different state and it is one more loss Amber has to cope with. This series sensitively offers readers a look at difficult topics like divorce, relocation, coping with anger and grief over loss. I appreciate how realistic the characters are. Mid-elementary level readers will connect with the plot and relate to the characters. Well done graphic edition of a classic series.