Last One Picked out now from Feiwel & Friends; 224 pages
Content Warning: Body dysmorphia
About the Author and Illustrator: “Audrey Meeker is a comic artist and editor based in Athens, Georgia. Her notable works include ‘SWING’ (Feiwel & Friends, October 2024) and ‘The Deep End’ (produced for the 2023 ShortBox Comics). She’s currently working on her next middle grade graphic novel ‘Last One Picked’ (Feiwel & Friends, 2027) and her debut YA graphic novel ‘GROUNDS’ (Feiwel & Friends, pub date TBD). She’s a current contributor to Patchwork Comics, a digital anthology where all participants must make a six page comic each month. When she’s not drawing, she’s powerlifting, sleeping, or trying to like black coffee” (Bio from author’s website).
Find Audrey Meeker on the following platforms:
About the Contributor: “Sarah is a comic artist, colorist, and instructor currently attending the Savannah College of Art and Design, working on her MFA in Sequential Art. She loves drawing Young Adult and Middle Grade comics, usually involving magic, nostalgia, or teenagers saving the world. When Sarah isn’t drawing comics, she’s usually hanging out with her pets and watching feel-good cooking competition shows. Sarah’s first original graphic novel ‘Jackson’s Wilder Adventures’ published through Papercutz was named one of ALA’s Best Graphic Novels for Children. Sarah just sold two original Middle Grade graphic novels to Random House and is repped by Jess Mileo at Inkwell Management” (Bio from contributor’s website).
Find Sarah Davidson on the following platforms:
Annabeth had her summer all figured out: go to the library and revisit her favorite Warrior Princess books. Her plans take an unexpected turn when her mother enrolls her in volleyball camp, forcing her to face an unfamiliar sport and Serena, Annabeth’s ex-best friend. Between struggling to keep up with her athletic peers and navigating Serena’s return to her life, Annabeth discovers strengths she never knew she had. As she grows closer to her teammates, she starts to enjoy volleyball. With team selections approaching, Annabeth and Serena strike a bargain: Annabeth will sabotage her chances of making the roster in return for the opportunity to work a special library event featuring her favorite author. What initially seems like an easy trade becomes more complicated as Annabeth realizes she may want a career in volleyball after all. Now, she needs to choose between a familiar passion and newfounded ambition.
Last One Picked was a really enjoyable read, and I think younger me would have absolutely loved this book. What stood out most to me was how multifaceted both Annabeth and Serena felt. Their characters had depth beyond their falling-out, and I appreciated how the story explored their individual struggles alongside their complicated history. I also really enjoyed the art style and how body image and body dysmorphia were incorporated into the narrative through the portrayal of Annabeth’s relationship with her body. Her weight is acknowledged, but it never becomes the defining feature of her character or the central conflict of the story. Instead of searching for acceptance through her appearance, she looks for friendship, confidence, and an activity she genuinely enjoys. As someone who was told she was too unathletic to participate in sports, I really appreciated seeing a character whose enjoyment of volleyball wasn’t dependent on her body type. My biggest issue was with the resolution: the ending felt far too rushed. While I appreciated that the story didn’t explicitly define where their relationship stood, since not every friendship is meant to be repaired, I would have liked a more definitive conversation about whether they wanted to move forward together or separately. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book, especially to younger readers who need a reminder that they deserve to take up space, try new things, and find joy in activities regardless of their appearance.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Review Writer