I AM NOT STARFIRE ...teen angst (not) for the trolls

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00:45:32

August 29th, 2021

45 mins 32 secs

Season 3

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About this Episode

This week we are reading "I Am Not Starfire" written by Mariko Tamaki and artist Yoshi Yoshitani. Many would argue would Tamaki (someone we've read numerous books by) is one of our generation's best voices on growing up in this increasingly strange world....so for DC to tap her to relate to one of their most popular characters, is an intriguing concept.

I AM NOT STARFIRE tells the tale Mandy, a 17 year old who is NOTHING like her of super-famous superhero Starfire....a tall, gorgeous, sparkly, hot blooded hero, beloved by all...which Mandy is NOT. She has no powers, dyes her hair black and hates everyone but best friend Lincoln, and longtime crush Claire. To Starfire, who is actually from another planet, her daughter Mandy seems like a distant, angry alien, from light years away. Everyone has plans and thoughts about what Mandy should be, but like so many other coming of age stories, Mandy just wants to do her own thing....be it skipping the SATs, not going to college, and just doing whatever it is they do in France.

The book has had mixed reviews - some constructive and some rather troll-y. So get ready for us to unpack some baggage and lay it out for the trolls, so they can get over it.