Flip (graphic novel)
| Flip | |
|---|---|
| Date | September 23, 2025 |
| Page count | 320 pages |
| Publisher | First Second |
| Creative team | |
| Writer | Ngozi Ukazu |
| Artist | Ngozi Ukazu |
| ISBN | 9781250179517 |
Flip is a 2025 graphic novel written and illustrated by Ngozi Ukazu. It was published by First Second and received widely positive reception.
Plot
Chi-Chi, a Nigerian-American high school senior, has a crush on a popular white boy named Flip Henderson. After he publicly rejects her promposal and Chi-Chi subsequently falls and gets knocked unconscious, the two start experiencing episodes where they switch bodies. As the episodes start to grow longer, the two and Chi-Chi's friends Esther and Yesenia attempt to find a way to stop the switches.[1][2][3]
Development
In interviews for the book, Ukazu has described the work as "pretty autobiographical" and cited Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye as an inspiration for the story.[4][5]
Reception
Flip's reception was widely positive. The book received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and the School Library Journal.[1][2][3] Kirkus Reviews emphasized the "fully realized and sympathetic characters, sincere and humorous development of friendships, and protagonist’s relatable and bittersweet emotional journey",[1] while Publishers Weekly described it as "an engrossing standalone graphic novel about self-acceptance rendered using clean line art, dynamic paneling, and eye-catching color palettes".[3]
Recognition and awards
Book Riot included the book on a list of the best comics and graphic novels of 2025.[6]
| Year | Award/Honor | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Harvey Award for Best Young Adult Book | TBA | [7] |
| Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics | Nominated | [8] | |
| American Library Association's Great Graphic Novels for Teens | Included | [9] | |
| 2025 | School Library Journal Best Graphic Novels list | Included | [10] |
| Kirkus Best Young Adult Books of the Year | Included | [11] | |
| New York Public Library Best Books for Teens | Included | [12] |
References
- 1 2 3 FLIP | Kirkus Reviews.
- 1 2 Ngozi, Ukazu. "Flip". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- 1 2 3 "Flip by Ngozi Ukazu". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ Kirichanskaya, Michele (2026-01-31). "Interview with Ngozi Ukazu, Creator of Flip". Geeks OUT. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ Gagliano, Gina (2025-11-17). "Love that Chi-Chi! Ngozi Ukazu scores a different type of body checking with her new book, Flip". The Comics Journal. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ Minshew, Andy (2025-11-21). "The Best Comics and Graphic Novels of 2025". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ "Harvey Awards Unveil 2026 Nominees". www.harveyawards.com. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
- ↑ Staff, Beat (2026-07-08). "Finalists announced for 11th Annual DWAYNE McDUFFIE AWARD FOR DIVERSITY IN COMICS". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ Milburn, Rachel (2026-02-12). "2026 Great Graphic Novels for Teens". The Hub. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- ↑ Tran, Jasmine Amiri, Angie Jameson, Rosemary Kiladitis, Andrea Lipinski, Allison. "Best Graphic Novels 2025 | SLJ Best Books". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Best of 2025". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2026-07-24.
- ↑ "Best Books for Teens 2025". New York Public Library. Retrieved 2026-08-04.