In the first few pages of Nowhere Girl, I felt like I had time traveled between several decades. First, the 1960s due to the reference of the Beatles and the feeling of the art and tone of the story. Then, the 1970s via the look of the city and again, the tone of the story and the Beatles. And then via the clothes we finally landed in the 1980s and 1990s. But then you have references to some pop culture when the main character and other girls, while walking home from school, are singing a Patrick Swayze song and talking about Patrick Bruel (don’t worry, I did not know who he was, either. And it was not the last time I would have to look up a person referenced as a hottie or singer. Except for the lead singer of A-ha, Richard Dean Anderson and one or two others). Finally, I settled that we were in the 1990s (because that is when it is set).
A strong and fun story about a young girl, Magali, (who is the author Magali Le Huche creating her memoir of that year between the ages 12 to 13) coming of age in the early 1990’s and has a love for a fab set of guys: John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Between their music, her family and a handful of friends, she comes to terms with her fears and anxieties. She learns how to use what the Beatles “taught her” and apply it to everyday situations and her schoolwork. And today, while she is no longer that twelve-year-old she is (mostly) okay with that and who she is now. (Even if she sometimes sends artwork to Paul McCartney).
Busy illustrations that are also simplistic round out the story, giving it a specific tone. The young adult/adult tone makes it not for everyone, but the situations are really ages 10 and up. A strong reader is needed as there is a lot going on and the illustrations are colored (or not colored) in ways that can be messy, and things blend. Yet, that is not necessarily a bad thing. It was oddly enough my complaint and almost favorite thing about the book. It is an experience book that each person takes away what they put into it.
I think kids today can relate to the issues Magali faced (friends, school, family) even though her French school feels different from what I experienced/what school seems to be like today. I related to much of what was happening, enjoyed learning about her, and taking this journey with her.