Sometimes the best books are found by slowly perusing the shelves at the library. That’s what happened to me with this graphic novel and it is on my list of all-time favorites, not just for the joy of reading but also for the wisdom and reflection that was shared in this fictionalized memoir. 

The Dark Matter of Mona Starr is about Mona, a teenager- which means she’s going through a lot, though not as much as some other kids (which becomes a source of guilt). She starts having symptoms of anxiety and depression and she’s not sure how to deal with these issues. With the help of her family and a therapist and her own determined self reflection, Mona makes dramatic growth in learning how to take care of herself through times of higher and lower anxiety. 

I loved the storytelling in this graphic novel but what really stands out to me weeks after reading is the infographics that shared ideas about how to take care of oneself in times of mental distress. I think this is a valuable read for every human but especially young folks that may be discovering their own challenges with mental health. We can all use lessons and reminders about how to approach our feelings with curiosity instead of judgment and we all need a gentle reminder to figure out what taken care of ourselves looks like.  This graphic novel delivers all of that in a very appealing package.