Mess of Everything, A

Picking up where Escape from Special left off, A Mess of Everything is the second volume in Miss Lasko-Gross’s three-volume graphic semi-autobiography. Main protagonist Melissa is now in high school, coping with the usual teenage girl problems including boys, drugs and low self esteem. The really big question that she faces in this book, however, is whether she can afford to continue on the path that life has lead her, being quirky and interesting, or whether she needs to buckle down and conform if she’s actually going to get anywhere in life. A fascinating insight into the mind of a teenager making her first steps into womanhood.