screenshot of cover by K. Reyes 4/2021
Bibliographic Information:
- Title: Are You Listening?
- Author: Tillie Walden
- ISBN: 9781250250469
- Publisher: First Second
- Copyright Date: 2019
Genre [Format of the Title]:
- Science Fiction/Fantasy, Magical Realism, LGBTQ+, Graphic Novel [Book]
Awards or Honors:
- Eisner Award sponsored by Comic-Con International Winner, 2020
- ILA Young Adults' Choices Reading List, sponsored by International Literacy Association and the Children's Book Council, Selection, 2020
Reading Level/Interest Level:
- Amazon places the grade level 10-12; Teaching books grade level 7-12 & SLJ says grade 9 and up.
Plot Summary:
Bea is running away from her West Texas town and an older acquaintance, Lou, who is driving away from their hometown, picks up the hitchhiking Bea. Bea is clearly upset and angry and she and Lou argue through most of the story. On the road, they rescue a cat they call Diamond whose tag says West but this town seems not to exist. There is something magical about the cat that neither of them can explain and they become very attached to it and determined to find its owner. Lou suggests that Bea learn to drive so they could take turns on the wheels, so Bea gets a bit of driving lessons. They drive through the dry, moonscape of west Texas and are pursued by strange officials from the Office of Road Inquiry who want the cat for some mysterious purpose. Bea won’t reveal why she is running away and Lou clearly has secrets of her own, but together they will figure out how to get Diamond back to its owner.
Bea is running away from her West Texas town and an older acquaintance, Lou, who is driving away from their hometown, picks up the hitchhiking Bea. Bea is clearly upset and angry and she and Lou argue through most of the story. On the road, they rescue a cat they call Diamond whose tag says West but this town seems not to exist. There is something magical about the cat that neither of them can explain and they become very attached to it and determined to find its owner. Lou suggests that Bea learn to drive so they could take turns on the wheels, so Bea gets a bit of driving lessons. They drive through the dry, moonscape of west Texas and are pursued by strange officials from the Office of Road Inquiry who want the cat for some mysterious purpose. Bea won’t reveal why she is running away and Lou clearly has secrets of her own, but together they will figure out how to get Diamond back to its owner.
Author Background:
Tillie Walden is a cartoonist and book illustrator living in Austin, Texas. She was born in 1996 and grew up in New Jersey where she was a competitive ice skater, something she chronicles in her first graphic novel, Spinning (2018), which won an Eisner Award, her first Eisner. She is the youngest Eisner Award recipient at 22 (Cavna, 2019). She quit competitive skating when her family moved to Texas. However, she discovered her love of comic illustration and graduated from the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont. Her other graphic novel is called On a Sunbeam and Walden offers it for free for anyone to read.
Tillie Walden is a cartoonist and book illustrator living in Austin, Texas. She was born in 1996 and grew up in New Jersey where she was a competitive ice skater, something she chronicles in her first graphic novel, Spinning (2018), which won an Eisner Award, her first Eisner. She is the youngest Eisner Award recipient at 22 (Cavna, 2019). She quit competitive skating when her family moved to Texas. However, she discovered her love of comic illustration and graduated from the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont. Her other graphic novel is called On a Sunbeam and Walden offers it for free for anyone to read.
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items:
This graphic novel will require your attention. If read quickly (text-focused) without dwelling on the graphics, a reader will quickly lose interest and get really annoyed with both characters who aggravate each other as they try to figure out why the other wants to leave and where they plan to go. In turn, their dialogue aggravated this reader. I made the mistake of reading this book quickly and it was a terribly unsatisfactory experience. So I revisited Are You Listening? and spent the time absorbing the art, the landscape she draws that are surreal and disturbing, the saturated reds and oranges that at times look like blood splattered on the page and that is likely intentional. The creepy government officials are faceless and sometimes morph into frightening figures. But the cat, Diamond, is consistently drawn as a calming, furry white creature in the chaotic crimson landscape. Pay attention closely to Walden’s art as it’s a layered story in itself and can actually stand on its own. This book tackles the very mature subject of sexual assault and the revelation of secrets explains much of the characters’ behavior and body language throughout the book. And the tone of the story is entirely set by the colors on the page.
This graphic novel will require your attention. If read quickly (text-focused) without dwelling on the graphics, a reader will quickly lose interest and get really annoyed with both characters who aggravate each other as they try to figure out why the other wants to leave and where they plan to go. In turn, their dialogue aggravated this reader. I made the mistake of reading this book quickly and it was a terribly unsatisfactory experience. So I revisited Are You Listening? and spent the time absorbing the art, the landscape she draws that are surreal and disturbing, the saturated reds and oranges that at times look like blood splattered on the page and that is likely intentional. The creepy government officials are faceless and sometimes morph into frightening figures. But the cat, Diamond, is consistently drawn as a calming, furry white creature in the chaotic crimson landscape. Pay attention closely to Walden’s art as it’s a layered story in itself and can actually stand on its own. This book tackles the very mature subject of sexual assault and the revelation of secrets explains much of the characters’ behavior and body language throughout the book. And the tone of the story is entirely set by the colors on the page.
Creative Use for a Library Program:
Graphic novels that tackle social issues are one of my favorite types of GN. Partnering with our Health teacher to include this book in their reading list and allow me to do a book talk which will include this and the other books we have on mental health will be a win! I hope to actually schedule this in the fall as part of the introduction to the library.
Another activity is an art activity in collaboration with our Art teacher using this video of Tillie Walden showing us how she does her landscape art.
Graphic novels that tackle social issues are one of my favorite types of GN. Partnering with our Health teacher to include this book in their reading list and allow me to do a book talk which will include this and the other books we have on mental health will be a win! I hope to actually schedule this in the fall as part of the introduction to the library.
Another activity is an art activity in collaboration with our Art teacher using this video of Tillie Walden showing us how she does her landscape art.
Tillie Walden shares how she does her landscape drawings -- so fun! (KidLit TV, 2020).
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer:
Join Bea and Lou as they drive through the surreal landscape of west Texas in search of answers to their existential crisis. Along the way, they’ll find the sweetest cat whom they are determined to return to its owner, but an equally determined Office of Road Inquiry stalks them throughout. Find out how these two get out of their predicament in Are You Listening?
Join Bea and Lou as they drive through the surreal landscape of west Texas in search of answers to their existential crisis. Along the way, they’ll find the sweetest cat whom they are determined to return to its owner, but an equally determined Office of Road Inquiry stalks them throughout. Find out how these two get out of their predicament in Are You Listening?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
Strong language and LGBTQ+ related issues are always potential challenges, more so now with graphic novels that kids love to read. Also, this book discusses sexual assault and the victim’s trauma that is not resolved beyond being shared with another adult. We librarians should remember the Library Bill of Rights exhorting us to “provide materials and information presenting all points of view” and provide materials that will enlighten its readers (American Library Association, 2020). Sexual assault and other sex crimes are difficult subject to tackle and they should not be taboo to discuss. I often have to explain to parents that, while it may not be their child, there are many victims who will think they are suffering alone and books like this provide hope and a semblance of understanding and maybe a gateway to discussion and possibly healing.
Strong language and LGBTQ+ related issues are always potential challenges, more so now with graphic novels that kids love to read. Also, this book discusses sexual assault and the victim’s trauma that is not resolved beyond being shared with another adult. We librarians should remember the Library Bill of Rights exhorting us to “provide materials and information presenting all points of view” and provide materials that will enlighten its readers (American Library Association, 2020). Sexual assault and other sex crimes are difficult subject to tackle and they should not be taboo to discuss. I often have to explain to parents that, while it may not be their child, there are many victims who will think they are suffering alone and books like this provide hope and a semblance of understanding and maybe a gateway to discussion and possibly healing.
Reason for Inclusion:
After my stint as a grand juror in 2019, I was shocked by the number of people whom I knew who were victims of sexual assault. Having this book in my collection signals to students that I am open to discussion of difficult subjects and this might just help someone in some way that I will never know and that possibility is enough.
After my stint as a grand juror in 2019, I was shocked by the number of people whom I knew who were victims of sexual assault. Having this book in my collection signals to students that I am open to discussion of difficult subjects and this might just help someone in some way that I will never know and that possibility is enough.
REFERENCES
American Library Association. (2020, September 25). Library Bill of Rights. Advocacy, Legislation & Issues. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill.
Cavna, M. (2019, April 27). Women make history, and receive overdue recognition, at 2018 Eisner Awards. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/07/23/women-make-history-and-receive-overdue-recognition-at-2018-eisner-awards/
KidLit TV. (2020, October 6). Teen Choice Book Award: Tillie Walden ARE YOU LISTENING? [Video file]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/62LtEZz-0IM
TeachingBooks.net. (2020). Are You Listening? TeachingBooks. https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=65887
Cavna, M. (2019, April 27). Women make history, and receive overdue recognition, at 2018 Eisner Awards. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/07/23/women-make-history-and-receive-overdue-recognition-at-2018-eisner-awards/
KidLit TV. (2020, October 6). Teen Choice Book Award: Tillie Walden ARE YOU LISTENING? [Video file]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/62LtEZz-0IM
TeachingBooks.net. (2020). Are You Listening? TeachingBooks. https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=65887
RSS Feed
