Metamorphosis: Junior Year
by Betsy Franco

    METAMORPHOSIS: JUNIOR YEAR by Betsy Franco
    Drawings by:  Tom Franco
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  10/13/09
    Publisher:  Candlewick
    Reviewed by:  McKenzie Tritt
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Ovid, named after and inspired by the Roman poet, journals all of his thoughts into a notebook, adding his
    expressive drawings throughout. Ovid’s journal tells of his high school experience, as well as his family life, from
    an interesting perspective.

    Through narrative, drawings, and emotional poetry, Ovid gives the reader a snapshot of his life, as well as the
    lives of other high school students. Each new poem reveals a different student’s background and current going-
    ons in their life. Ovid’s writing is snarky, raw, and honest.

    METAMORPHOSIS: JUNIOR YEAR was incredible. There was such honest emotion in Ovid’s writing. He
    held nothing back, putting all of his feelings on the line. I was incredibly drawn to his poetry, each about a
    different high school student. These poems dug deep into the person’s life and showed their secrets, unknown to
    others. They were truly wonderful. The drawings, often abstract, were difficult to understand at times. Ovid,
    however, does describe many along with their meanings, creating a clearer image of what he is expressing
    through them.

    Ovid also gives each student a separate identity, connecting each one to a Roman mythological character based
    on their personalities and struggles. Fans of mythology will love this concept. The book has a strong theme of,
    you guessed it, transformation. In such a short book, it’s amazing how each character, including Ovid, grows
    and changes to become something better.

    METAMORPHOSIS: JUNIOR YEAR by author Betsy Franco is a true masterpiece. I could find absolutely
    nothing wrong with this book. I recommend it to all readers. This one is a must-read.