Side Effects

By Ted Anderson

Book Overview

Winner of the 2023 Excellence in Graphic Literature Award from Pop Culture Classroom

HANNAH DOESN'T WANT TO BE A HERO. SHE JUST WANTS TO BE WELL.

It's Hannah's first year away at college - the first time she's been away from home, without a support network. Within the first month, the combination of classes and socializing and adjusting to college life sends her into a full-on breakdown. Fortunately, her roommate finds her, Hannah goes to campus mental health, and they prescribe her therapy and meds -- though with every new medication, you've got to watch out for unexpected side effects.

Every new medication Hannah tries comes with a new power and side effect. One makes her super-tough, and also makes her gain thirty pounds. Another gives her telepathy, while also completely screwing up her sleep schedule. Yet another gives her super-strength, as well as terrible constipation.

Nothing balances, but the powers are handy; Hannah even manages to save a few of her friends from mortal peril, or at least minor annoyances. And with the growing confidence from her powers and her therapy, Hannah even manages to ask out the cute girl she's been eyeing

Hannah doesn't want to be a hero - she just wants to be well. But what does "well" even look like? What does it mean to be "healthy," mentally speaking? How do you fix your brain when you're living inside it? And can you really help other people if you can't even help yourself?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1956731083
• ISBN13: 9781956731088
• Release Date: October 2022
• Publisher: Aftershock Comics
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.3" x 9.4"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher