Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

Title: Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me 
 
Author: Mariko Tamaki (writer); Rosemary Valero-
O'Connell (illustrator)
 
Publisher: First Second
 
Format: Book
 
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
 
Grade Level: 8th and up
 
Category: Graphic Novel 

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me follows Freddy through her struggles with her on-again off-again relationship with the popular, "cool girl" Laura Dean. The novel is highly acclaimed, winning the 2019 Harvey Award for Best Children's or Young Adult Book and being named a Printz Honor book, among a plethora of other awards and honors. Laura Dean is a queer coming of age story that explores themes of teenage lesbian sexuality, toxic romantic relationships, and navigating complicated platonic friendships. 
 
Plot. The plot focuses in the relationship between Freddy and her sometimes-girlfriend Laura Dean, who continually ends their relationship only to start it again whenever she desires. Freddy inadvertently neglects her relationships with her friends in an attempt to prevent another breakup. In an attempt to gain clarity about her relationship struggles, both romantic and platonic, Freddy eventually seeks help from a local medium and advice columnist. Freddy's friend Doodle confides in her that she's pregnant and intends to have an abortion, and Freddy, determined to be a better friend, promises to go to her abortion appointment, which happens to be scheduled on Laura Dean's birthday. When Laura dean tries to emotionally manipulate Freddy to come to her birthday party, Freddy chooses Doodle's appointment, later breaking up with Laura Dean.
    The plot feels very organic and realistic. It's easy to imagine this story unfolding in real life, or perhaps even connect it to one's personal experiences. The storytelling is also heavily visual, with sparse dialogue and characters emotions and plot elements being told largely through the artwork.
 
Setting. Laura Dean takes place in modern-day Berkeley, California. The artwork utilizes soft pastel pinks and lush greenery to give the setting a dreamy, youthful quality. It creates an interesting juxtaposition between the calm, soft artwork and Freddy's inner turmoil. And the inclusion of so much plant-life and natural beauty could be symbolic of Freddy ignoring the good things in her life in favor of pursuing a toxic relationship.
 
Characters. Laura Dean is a very emotion- and character-driven story. A primary theme of the story is the importance of being a good friend to those you care about. And by the end of the story, Freddy expresses her desire to be a better person and "something other than Laura Dean's ex-girlfriend," choosing instead to focus on those she cares about and who care for her. And Freddy is far from the only dynamic character in the novel. Doodle learns to be vulnerable and open to accepting support from friends. And while we never see any positive growth from Laura Dean over the course of the novel, she is forced to face the consequences of her casual mistreatment of Freddy, and her aloof, cool-girl facade is shattered.

References

Tamaki, M., & Valero-O’Connell, R. (2019). Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me. First Second.


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