The Cartoonists Club
The Cartoonists Club is a vibrant graphic novel by acclaimed authors Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud, released by Scholastic/Graphix. It tells the story of four middle schoolers – Makayla, Howard, Lynda, and Art – who come together to form a club dedicated to creating comics. The narrative seamlessly blends a heartwarming tale of friendship, creativity, and self-expression with practical, how-to advice on graphic storytelling techniques, making it an inspiring guide for aspiring young cartoonists. The book explores themes of overcoming self-doubt, pursuing passions, and the power of collaborative art. Aimed primarily at a middle-grade audience, it is generally recommended for readers aged 8-12 years.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe book features a character named Art, one of the four main club members, who is explicitly identified as nonbinary and uses 'they/them' pronouns. This is mentioned early in the book, on page 40. While some parental reviews note this as a 'nod to wokeness,' other reviews praise the 'inclusive art' and representation. The topic is introduced but does not form a central plot point or explicit discussion of sexual orientation or gender transition.
The character Art introduces themself on page 40, asking to be called by 'they/them' pronouns. Publishers Weekly explicitly identifies Art as a 'nonbinary versatile creator'. One Goodreads reviewer noted the presence of 'pronoun pins' within the inclusive artwork, further indicating explicit representation.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumOne character, Howard, experiences disapproval from his father regarding his passion for comics, as his father 'thinks comics are a waste of time.' While this creates a conflict for Howard, it is portrayed as a personal hurdle to overcome rather than outright disrespectful or rebellious behavior towards authority. Mild instances of classroom doodling leading to minor trouble are also noted.
Howard's father asserts that 'comics are a waste of time,' creating a conflict for Howard who loves to draw, prompting him to pursue his passion despite parental disapproval. Additionally, Makayla and Howard get into 'trouble during a maths lesson' for doodling, a minor act of defiance.
Violence
LowThe content is consistently described as free from violence. The narrative focuses on the creative process of making comics and the interpersonal dynamics of the club members. One character, Lynda, is working on a comic inspired by her late father, which deals with themes of grief but does not involve any depicted violent scenes or graphic details of death.
Multiple reviews explicitly state that the 'text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence.' Lynda's character arc includes creating a comic about her 'late father,' which serves as a personal challenge related to grief and self-expression, not a depiction of violent death.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowThe book contains no overt romantic or sexual content. Reviewers consistently highlight the absence of such themes, with the focus remaining squarely on friendship, creativity, and the process of comic creation among middle school-aged children.
Reviews explicitly state that the 'text is free of profanity, sexual content and violence.' The plot centers on the formation of 'The Cartoonists Club' by Makayla, Howard, Lynda, and Art, and their journey of learning to create comics and express themselves.
Profanity
LowThere is no profanity present in the book. Reviews confirm that the language used is clean and appropriate for the middle-grade target audience, focusing on constructive dialogue and creative expression.
The book is explicitly stated to be 'free of profanity, sexual content and violence' by various sources. The dialogue among characters and the instructional text maintain a tone suitable for young readers.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThe term 'comics magic' is used throughout the book's descriptions, but it refers metaphorically to the transformative power of storytelling and the creative process in making comics, not to supernatural, occult, or magical practices. There are no instances of witchcraft, spells, demons, or any literal occult themes.
The book's promotional material and reviews often mention blending 'how-to and comics magic,' clarifying that this 'magic' refers to 'the power of storytelling and inspire a new generation of cartoonists'. The narrative focuses on practical aspects of creating art and stories.
Substance Use
LowNo instances of substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or smoking, are present in the book. The narrative is centered on the healthy, creative pursuits of middle schoolers.
No information gathered from parental reviews or book descriptions indicates any depiction or mention of substance use. The focus is entirely on the students' artistic development and friendship.
Scary & Intense Content
LowThe book is described as a heartwarming and inspiring story. While one character, Lynda, processes grief over her late father through her art, this theme is handled sensitively and is not presented in a scary, horrific, or overly intense manner. There are no elements of horror, frightening imagery, or jump scares.
Lynda's 'comic about her late father' serves as a narrative element for character development, highlighting themes of 'overcoming self-doubt' and personal expression, rather than generating fear or intense distress. The overall tone is supportive and encouraging for its middle-grade audience.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe book does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery, or sacrilegious content. It includes diverse characters, such as Ms. Fatima, the librarian, who wears a hijab, and Art, who uses 'they/them' pronouns. While a Christian review mentioned the pronoun usage as a 'nod to wokeness,' it did not identify any direct anti-Christian messaging in the book's narrative.
A Christian review from Redeemed Reader stated that 'aside from Art, who introduces himself with they/them pronouns, there are no other nods to wokeness,' indicating an absence of broader anti-Christian content. Ms. Fatima, the school librarian, is depicted wearing a hijab, which contributes to the book's diverse cast without being an anti-Christian theme.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 8-12 years. This recommendation is based on consistent age ratings from multiple publishing and review outlets, and the themes of friendship, creative expression, and mild character challenges are appropriate for this age group. Some sources extend this to ages 8-14. While the book introduces a character who uses 'they/them' pronouns, a Christian review found this to be a brief mention and not central to the overall content, making it manageable for parents of the younger recommended age to discuss if they choose.
Additional Notes
The book is a standalone graphic novel, with no current information indicating sequels or adaptations that would introduce new or intensified content. Some sources, like Ms. Yingling Reads, speculate about a potential series, but no concrete details are available at this time. The collaboration between Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud is a notable feature, blending Telgemeier's storytelling with McCloud's expertise in comic theory.
Related Reviews
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