★ WINNER of the 2024 Stonewall Book Award, American Library Association
Perfect for fans of The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag, HeartStopper by Alice Oseman, and Jen Wang's The Dressmaker and the Prince.
In this fresh, sensitive, diary-style graphic novel, 12-year-old Tuva's questions about becoming a teenager are confusing—so when her first crush turns out to be on another girl, it feels absolutely wonderful--so why does it become so complicated?Tuva is starting seventh grade, and her checklist of goals includes: writing out a diary, getting a trendy look, building the best fort in the woods with her BFFs, and much more. But when she starts school, nothing is how she hoped it would be.
Seventh grade has split her friends into rival factions: TEAM LINNEA and the girls who fall in love and TEAM BAO and the girls who NEVER fall in love. Linnea has a BOYFRIEND, Bao hates everything related to love. Worst of all, Linnea and Bao expect Tuva to choose a side!
In this delighfully hand-lettered coming-of-age graphic diary, Tuva gets caught between feeling like a kid and wanting to know HOW to become a teenager. Then Miriam shows up and suddenly Tuva feels as if she’s met her soulmate. Can you fall in love with a girl, keep it from your friends, and survive? For Tuva, it may be possible, but it's defintely not easy.
Nora Dåsnes was born in 1995, and is a Norwegian writer and illustrator. She did her BA in Illustration Animation at Kingston University outside London, graduating in 2017. Her first graphic novel,
Cross My Heart and Never Lie, won the 2024 Stonewall Award in the UNited States and the 2020 Pondus Prize in Norway. She has also written SAVE OUR FOREST, a follow up to Cross my Heart and Never Lie, which will be published July 30, 2024. That book will be followed by a third installment the following year.
Winner of the 2024 Stonewall Award, American Library Association
A 2023 New York Public Library Best Book
A 2024 CCBC Choice
A Bank Street Best Children's Book
Kirkus Reviews — One of the 150 Most Anticipated Books for Fall
Featured on Kirkus' 10 Essential Middle Grade Books list"A soft and adorable story of first sapphic love and the trials and tribulations of pre-teen friendships....Reading this was like a warm hug." —
Alice Oseman, NYT Bestselling author of Heartstopper“Exudes tween angst in the best of ways, as twelve-year-old Tuva considers what it means to be a teenager....Cross My Heart and Never Lie is bookmaking at its finest.”
—What To Read To Your Kids, the 2023 Gift Guide: Graphic Novels for Kids & Teens “A Best New Graphic Novel. Compelling.”
— We Are Teachers★“Evocative of greats like Judy Blume and Sharon Creech….raw, sweet, relatable, and realistic, this modern classic has a timelessness that will leave a lasting impact.”
—Booklist, starred review
“Charming and heartwarming….an insightful graphic novel that is sure to resonate with young readers….a perfect read for anyone who is feeling lost of confused amid pre-adolescence, or for anyone who simply enjoys a heartwarming story about friendship and discovery.”….Fans of Raina Telgemeier, Lucy Knisley, and other graphic novelists who write about the challenges and joys of growing up will love this book.”
— No Flying, No Tights"Oh, Tuva. I want to climb into this book and hug you….Tuva has what it takes to get through this weird time of life….A really lovely look at all the changes that can come with being 12."
—Teen Librarian Toolbox, School Library Journal"A great story about finding one’s place in the world, fitting in, and learning to be comfortable with who you are, despite what others may impose upon you. Well-told and reassuring for young people questioning their place in the world.”
—School Library Journal“Charming … captures the challenges of navigating strains on friendship bonds…An absorbing, sincerely told story of adolescent self-discovery and connection.” —
Kirkus Reviews
“Timeless and international….the "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret" of the 21st Century….a relatable and touching story with incredibly charming and captivating art. “ —
Viewpoint Books“I’ve read a lot of MG books that focus on friendship and what it’s like as friends go from childhood to being teenagers, and this one stands out! I’d highly recommend this for any kid going through the elementary to middle transition.” —
Meg Smith, North Carolina Public Schools “Lovely…the unique format added more emotional depth than one can find in most graphic novels….Dåsnes illustrations have a quirky style that's easy to fall into.” —
Lucy Kirby, Barrington Public Library"Diary meets graphic novel.... clever and I loved the handwritten element. Truly adorable!" – Silver Unicorn Books"A heartfelt coming-of-age story and a must-read for all tween/teens." —
YA Books Central
