Peanut by Ayun Halliday (review)

Anxious about fitting in at a new school, sophomore Sadie Wildhack tries to seem more interesting by inventing one little lie about herself: a severe peanut allergy. Soon she is telling elaborate stories of near-death experiences, vigilantly avoiding peanut products, and dodging the school nurse who wants medical forms signed by Sadie’s mom. When she starts to make real friends and catches the eye of a cute boy who is interested in more than her allergy, Sadie wants to leave the lie behind but can’t find a way to come clean. A simple, honest, yet light-hearted story about a small misstep becoming a big deal, this graphic novel strikes just the right balance between charm and seriousness. Sadie and her friends are eminently likable and real, and readers will enjoy watching Sadie grow more confident amongst her peers, even as she grows increasingly anxious about her lie. Her relationship with boyfriend Zoo is sweetly supportive, even in the face of her eventual humiliation, and understanding adults help temper the impact when her lie is revealed. The illustrations keep the focus on Sadie, leaving her the only spot of color (she’s always in a bright red top) amid the otherwise black and white scenes. This tale of a lie gone very wrong will strike a chord with readers who have fudged the truth to get attention.