Go with the Flow (graphic novel)
| Go with the Flow | |
|---|---|
_cover.jpg) | |
| Page count | 336 pages |
| Publisher | First Second/Macmillan |
| Creative team | |
| Writer | Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann |
| Artist | Lily Williams |
| Original publication | |
| Date of publication | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| ISBN | 978-1250143174 |
Go with the Flow is a graphic novel by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann. It was published on January 14, 2020 by First Second and Macmillan,[1] and was followed by a sequel titled Look on the Bright Side in 2023.[2]
Plot
After new girl Sasha bleeds through her pants, three existing friends—Abby, Brit, Christine—come to her aid. The four sophomores are frustrated when their school fails to restock pads and tampons. After being dismissed by the male principal, the friends protest the administration's refusal to acknowledge menstruation. However, their friendship is tested when Abby takes the protest too far.[1][3]
Look on the Bright Side continues following the characters from the first novel, including a subplot with Christine coming to terms with her same-sex attraction and her crush on Abby.[2]
Development
The book is based on The Mean Magenta, a webcomic previously released by the authors.[4]
Reception
Go with the Flow received positive reception from Kirkus Reviews,[1] The Horn Book[5] and the School Library Journal,[3] with Kirkus Reviews also positively reviewing Look on the Bright Side.[2] Reviews remarked on the diverse cast, with Tanya Auger of The Horn Book noting that the main characters "differ in race, sexual orientation, family structure, body type, and period pain".[5]
In 2022, the book was subject to a book ban in Keller, Texas.[6][7]
| Year | Award/Honor | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Los Angeles Times Book Prize - Young Adult Literature | Finalist | [8] |
| 2021 | Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12) | Nominated | [9] |
| American Library Association's Great Graphic Novels for Teens | Top Ten | [10] |
References
- 1 2 3 GO WITH THE FLOW | Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Reviews. 2019-10-26. Archived from the original on 2025-10-22. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
- 1 2 3 LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE | Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Reviews. 2023-07-11. Archived from the original on 2025-08-03. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
- 1 2 Bird, Betsy (2020-01-16). "Review of the Day: Go With the Flow by Lily Williams, ill. Karen Schneemann". A Fuse #8 Production. Archived from the original on 2026-04-21. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
- ↑ Lodge |, Sally. "Lily Williams Continues Her Environmental Mission". PublishersWeekly.com. Archived from the original on 2026-06-04. Retrieved 2026-06-12.
- 1 2 Auger, Tanya D. "Review of Go with the Flow". The Horn Book. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
- ↑ "Here are 50 books Texas parents want banned from school libraries". NBC News. 2022-02-02. Archived from the original on 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
- ↑ Babb, Tiffany (2023-10-02). "Banned Book Spotlight: Go With the Flow is a graphic novel that will make girls feel less alone". Popverse. Archived from the original on 2026-03-15. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
- ↑ "Los Angeles Times Book Prizes - History". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2026-07-26. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
- ↑ Perry, Spencer (2021-06-09). "2021 Eisner Award Nominees Revealed, Image and Fantagraphics Lead With Most Nominations". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on 2023-03-26. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
- ↑ "2021 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten | Young Adult Library Services Association". www.ala.org. Archived from the original on 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2026-08-04.