Svetlana Chmakova, the acclaimed author of the graphic novel “Awkward,” will engage readers and comic enthusiasts in a special event at the Boston Public Library on July 26th, as part of the Boston Comic Arts Foundation’s inaugural Boston Reads Comics program.
Chmakova, who has captured the emotional intricacies of middle school life through her character Penelope Torres, affectionately known as Peppi, aims to connect with young audiences by exploring their relatable experiences of awkwardness and social challenges.
Elissa Gershowitz, editor in chief of the Horn Book, praised Chmakova’s work for its authentic portrayal of children’s experiences, remarking, “It all seems so real and true. You can really tell [Chmakova] knows kids. She’s not just talking down to readers.”
Though “Awkward” was published in 2015, its popularity endures among school librarians, teachers, and students alike. At the Boston Public Library, Chmakova will participate in a conversation with Gershowitz, which will feature live drawing demonstrations and workshops for children to create their own comics.
In Chmakova’s Berrybrook Middle School series, Peppi and her friends navigate the challenges of adolescence in a setting rife with conflict between their Art Club and the rival Science Club.
Chmakova’s ability to distill the angst of growing up is a reflection of her own experiences. In an email to the Globe, she humorously shared, “I joke to my family and friends that I am not a true adult, but essentially a 12-year-old cleverly disguised as one, in the way that I navigate the world.”
Originally from Russia, Chmakova moved to Canada at 16 and now resides in Massachusetts, bringing her unique perspective on the struggles of growing up in different cultures.
The Boston Comic Arts Foundation (BCAF), founded to advocate for comics as a legitimate narrative medium, has enlisted local resources such as the Horn Book, Candlewick Press, and comic shops to foster a thriving comic community in the Boston area.
According to Zach Clemente, chair of BCAF’s board of directors, the organization seeks to enhance the visibility of comics and create more access points for readers, especially younger audiences.
“Boston is already a comics town,” said Clemente. “We’re trying to create more scaffolding around that — more places to go, more ways to get these young readers and keep them around.”
As part of the Boston Reads Comics initiative, BCAF distributed around 100 copies of Chmakova’s book, encouraging children to explore graphic novels at their local libraries. The organization hopes to attract about 300 attendees, including students, parents, and supporters, to participate in the event on July 26th.
Clemente acknowledged the paradox of the comic creation process, noting that while making comics can feel isolating, the community itself is quite sociable and engaging.
Gershowitz, who holds a master’s degree in children’s literature, highlighted the growing acceptance of graphic novels in recent years but also pointed out the ongoing challenges these comics face in terms of legitimacy. “What we’re facing now, with book bans and challenges, is people trying to limit children’s access to books,” she explained. “That’s what people think when they think about graphic novels — that they’re just junky comics.”
Chmakova expressed her frustration over misconceptions about comics. In her email, she emphasized the importance of comics in education: “Comics should be in every classroom under the sun.”
Having moved from Russian-language texts to English comics herself, Chmakova experienced firsthand the power of the medium in bridging language barriers. “With comics, the words and images together, I was able to grasp them. I was able to be a reader again through comics,” she wrote.
She passionately believes in the unique ability of comics to convey complex narratives efficiently: “There are things that are more effectively conveyed with visuals, which is why we take photographs and have art. And there are things that are best conveyed with words, which is why we have language.”
Join Svetlana Chmakova on July 26th at 3 p.m. at the Boston Public Library, Central Branch, located at 700 Boylston St., for a celebration of graphic storytelling and creativity.
James Sullivan can be reached at [email protected].
image source from：bostonglobe
