Drama: A Graphic Novel

Despite coming off as a light-hearted graphic novel for middle graders, Drama packs a punch when it comes to upholding social justice themes like embracing diversity. It’s important to honor a diversity of identities and experiences, and Telgemeier presents a diverse cast of characters at Callie’s middle school that includes people of color and White people. This diverse group of friends and frenemies also embraces diversity when outside their school. Callie, for instance, engages in a respectful cultural exchange with the twins, Jesse and Justin, by trying and embracing one of their favorite drinks: bubble tea.

Justin, Jesse, and West’s experiences discovering and navigating their LGBTQ identities also assert that there are valid, non-straight identities that deserve affirmation and respect. Though Telgemeier’s graphic novel faced some scrutiny for specific narrative choices—such as having a gay teenager who is not out wear a dress on stage (the critique is that dresses often denote a feminization of the wearer, and thus causes Jesse to fit into the stereotype that all gay/bisexual men are feminine)—Callie’s choices underscore the importance of allyship (supporting others) with the LGBTQ community. Callie treats her friend Justin with empathy and respect when he tells her that he is gay, thus demonstrating the importance of respectful friendship and allyship. Callie has a harder time when she learns that Jesse, too, is gay (or bisexual), but her anger comes not from him being in love with West as much as from the fact that he stood her up at the dance to hang out with West. Once she realizes that West and Jesse like each other, however, Callie shows growth by asking forgiveness from Jesse for her actions. Jesse, too, apologizes for his actions at the dance. These characters highlight the proper way to navigate sexual identity and embracing diversity.

Through these details, Telgemeier forms her narrative for a contemporary age in which discussion of varying sexualities and respectful cultural exchange between individuals belonging to varying racial or ethnic groups are a daily reality for American youth. Through the character’s actions and identities, Telgemeier demonstrates that openness and respect for those who are not the same as ourselves is a key aspect of moving through the world in a mature and informed way.