Charisma’s Turn

This is a story about finding your voice and how having support and someone who believes in you can help you do it. The importance of the community to create changes. I liked the overall message of the story, but I wish it was longer. As for the art style, it can be inconsistent at times, which might be intentional, and the color palette isn't my favorite, but the story was still enjoyable.

I think this graphic novel is perfect for a younger audience like middle grade, not so sure about teens.

The problem with assuming that the troubled girl that always gets into trouble is stupid, and not worth working with makes a vicious cycle. In this case Charisma has a rough life, she has to take care of her brother after school. She has trouble controlling her anger, and she is always getting into fights at school.

The one counselor, Ms. Anderson sees Charisma for who she can be, and teaches her how to breathe when she feels angry, and how to talk through problems. Then she helps her get involved in a social justice group that is concerned about how there is more pollution in places where people are poor, or minorities, and she takes this on full force. She also is introduced into reading books by black authors, specifically “The Bluest Eyes” by Tori Morrison that connects with.

I love how she finds her own way, and comes out of her shell, and breaks the cycle of fighting, so that she can move on. Great book for introducing environmental racism.


The book is easy to follow and a quick read. Such a good way to see how someone can get out of their hole, and climb higher for what they believe in.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

I didn’t know what to expect from this book! But reading this book through and I was very pleased with the results. The characters were really good that added the layer of understanding when it comes to colorism. The representation is so vastly important even when it comes to the color of our skin. I wish we wouldn’t have to deal with colorism as we have other issues that affects us all Black people in America. The color illustration was wonderful as it sets the tone of the book throughout! The environmental issues was a great topic. But the overall focus is having that one teacher to help change the course of your path in life!

I can’t wait to get this book for my daughter to read and hope that she will one have a teacher that guides her through!

Absolutely loved this book. What a wonderful way to reach multiple audiences. I can see recommending this to fellow educators to gain perspective into what their students are thinking and feeling, recommending to students to show them an inspirational story of a student like them, and community members for just a great story about a struggling young woman who finds her voice.