Timid
Written and Illustrated by Jonathan Todd
Published by Scholastic Graphix
Ages 8-12
April 2, 2024
Outsider. Misfit. Alone. Everyone has felt like they don’t belong at one point in their lives, just like Cecil Hall. Shy, artistic Cecil has just moved with his family from Florida to the Boston suburbs. He is worried about making friends and fitting in at his new middle school. Leah, Cecil’s older sister, thinks he should make friends with the other black kids at school. Bookish and unathletic Cecil is unsure how to befriend the black kids without it being awkward. He wants to be known for his comic drawing talent anyway. When one of Cecil’s drawings is used by a “friend” for a prank and gets him into trouble, find out if he stands up for himself and discovers his real friends.
Tweens will empathize with the protagonist in Jonathan Todd’s semi-autobiographical graphic novel. When Cecil gives his white “friend” Ruthie a drawing she had requested, she rubs his hair and says, “Great job, fuzzy” (p. 190). Cecil believes that Ruthie is treating him more like a pet that can be ordered around than a friend and his sister was right all along. He should have joined the black kids’ lunch table on the first day of school. The black kids treat him like a human being, not based on the color of his skin. Assertiveness and finding your voice are timeless lessons in this story for middle-grade readers. Set in the 1980s, the deep beige, brown, and blue hues evoke a throwback appeal. Speech bubbles used throughout the novel showcase Cecil’s innocent and sweet thoughts and move the plot forward. The author’s note in the backmatter reassures readers that middle school can be rough, but that they will make it through the tough times.
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