As a longtime fan of Ngozi Ukazu's work, I'd been looking forward to Flip, which she has described as more autobiographical than some of her other graphic novels. Obviously, the body swap conceit driving the narrative is pure fantasy, but main character Chi-Chi's struggles with self-esteem, fitting in, and being a Black student in an elite private school with few students of color are rooted in real life, according to Ukazu's author's note. Great artists are able to make personal experiences relatable, and while I differ from Chi-Chi in many ways, I understood her anxiety and struggle to see her own self-worth. Late in the book it's revealed that Flip, Chi-Chi's crush (and narrative foil) has his own challenges: namely, depression. Once again, Ukazu has created relatable, endearing characters and a story that has plenty of laughs to balance out the more serious themes.

This was a good YA graphic novel, I enjoyed the characters, especially the best friends. It did feel a little long though. I still liked the story and loved the art, but I didn't always see where we were going. I feel like I felt more reading Ngozi Ukazu's previous works. But this was still a good book with a very interesting concept. I really loved the main character's friendships, they felt so real and true. I also loved seeing her grow throughout the book. This was really what the book was about. I actually felt like the romance wasn't necessary. But this was still really really good and I'll probably reread it before it comes out!

Flip is a perfect modern Freaky Friday, with deeply relatable characters and journeys. While the body swapping concept is obviously fantastical, the story largely is rooted in learning to better understand others, and taking the time to put yourself in someone else’s’ shoes. It’s core messaging about trying to fit in and find your own self worth is something that many young people will strongly connect with as they read this.

An incredibly brilliant and honest graphic novel about looking inwards and finding the best parts of yourself and others around you.

What an interested concept, switching bodies with your crush. It is Freaky Friday to the next level. You think you know someone until you switch bodies with them. It was a good graphic novel and I can't wait until it actually comes out. I hope that there will be more to this story.

Using her signature art style and humor, Ukazu has created an entertaining and introspective story about learning to love yourself. On the surface, Chi-Chi and Flip have absolutely nothing in common, but as they get to know each other it becomes clear that neither one is who the other thinks they are. Both have internal issues and struggles they are dealing with and each has to learn how to navigate the other's life without totally derailing it each time they flip.

This is one I will definitely be recommending to my students!

Ngozi Ukazu has done it again!
When Chi-Chi Ekeh's accidentally very public promposal to the popular Flip Henderson goes very, very wrong, she thought her life as she knew it was over, and that's before she wakes up the next day in Flip's body. What follows is a delightfully illustrated, hilarious, and tender story about self-acceptance.
This is easily Ukazu's most personal and daring work to date, and I eagerly await whatever she does next.