Chunky
A Graphic Novel
HarperCollins · Print & ebook · June 22, 2021
In this full-color middle grade graphic memoir for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft, Yehudi Mercado draws inspiration from his childhood struggle with his weight while finding friendship with his imaginary mascot, Chunky, as he navigates growing up in a working class Mexican-Jewish family.
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- Who it’s for
- A graphic memoir balances childhood pressures with humor, friendship, and finding your own way.
- Themes
- Friendship, Growing up in a Mexican-Jewish family, Pursuing comedy
- Genres
- Comics Biographies, Comics & Society, Comics & Graphic Nonfiction
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Start with this bookAbout this book
In this full-color middle grade graphic memoir for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jerry Craft, Yehudi Mercado draws inspiration from his childhood struggle with his weight while finding friendship with his imaginary mascot, Chunky, as he navigates growing up in a working class Mexican-Jewish family. Hudi needs to lose weight, according to his doctors. Concerned about the serious medical issue Hudi had when he was younger, his parents push him to try out for sports.
Continue reading
Hudi would rather do anything else, but then he meets Chunky, his imaginary friend and mascot. Together, they decide to give baseball a shot. As the only Mexican and Jewish kid in his neighborhood, Hudi has found the cheerleader he never had. Baseball doesn’t go well (unless getting hit by the ball counts), but the two friends have a great time drawing and making jokes. While Hudi’s parents keep trying to find the right sport for Hudi, Chunky encourages him to pursue his true love—comedy. But when Hudi’s dad loses his job, it gets harder for Hudi to chart his own course, even with Chunky’s guidance. Can Chunky help Hudi stay true to himself or will this friendship strike out? * A TLA Maverick Graphic Novel of the Year * Banks Street Best Children's Books of the Year * ALSC Graphic Novel Pick of the Year * 2022-2023 Virginia Reads Middle Grade Book Winner *
Humor Finds Its Way
A graphic memoir balances childhood pressures with humor, friendship, and finding your own way.
Come here for
- Humor and friendship amid questions of identity, sports, and self-direction
- A candid take on growing up between family expectations and personal interests
Expect
- Full-color comics, jokes, and an imaginary mascot
- Earnest family tensions alongside playful moments
Where it sits
| Comics Biographies | 92% |
|---|---|
| Comics & Society | 75% |
| Comics & Graphic Nonfiction | 58% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Biographical Stories
- Fantasy Comics
- Funny Comics
- Family Stories
Show all 8 publisher categories
- Magic & Fantasy
- Growing Up
- Friendship
- Self-Esteem & Resilience
- Authors
- Yehudi Mercado
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- June 22, 2021
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Friendship · Growing up in a Mexican-Jewish family · Pursuing comedy
- Reading lane
- Biographical Stories