Jimmy Gownley's Amelia Rules series is one of my very favorites. If I stopped to rank the graphic novels series I've read, it would easily fall in the top 5. It's not dark, grim, or scary; in other words, it's nothing like my other favorites. It's funny, moving and it just rings true.
So when I was searching for more in the series, I found this instead, the author's story of how he got started in comics when he was a teenager, told in comic book form.
Amelia Rules fans will love it. I think it will probably appeal to people who haven't read Amelia Rules too. The artwork is appealing, the humor self-deprecating and honest.
Good stuff and a quick read. ( )

a cartoon memoir, for the ages 12-14

Pretty cool -- I liked the biographical aspects, the kid-empowerment parts, and the thoughtful tackling of how to be a good human being. Nicely done and funny. ( )

Graphic novels are tough to compare against books. They are often labeled as immature and for me, any way just don't the weight and depth of a book.

This is Jimmy Gownley's graphic novel memoir and of his pivotal 8th grade - 9th grade years when he was trying to find his legs as a comic book artist. I really like the message in the book of "You're special but not that special."

Any graphic novel that can get a (positive) emotional response from me and make me think has to be pretty good and The Dumbest Idea Ever does just that.
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book told through graphic novel form about the author trying to write a graphic novel. why are graphic novels important? Do they even matter? The author and main character Jimmy Gownley seems to think they matter. Good for parents who don't necessarily think that graphic novels mean as much as they do to some kids. ( )