Duel
by Jessixa Bagley
Illustrated by Aaron Bagley
Published Nov. 7, 2023
Simon & Schuster
Paperback
Graphic Novel
307 Pages
Review copy provided by publisher
Goodreads Summary
A rivalry between sisters culminates in a fencing duel in this funny and emotional debut graphic novel sure to appeal to readers of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale.Sixth grader Lucy loves fantasy novels and is brand-new to middle school. GiGi is the undisputed queen bee of eighth grade (as well as everything else she does). They’ve only got one thing in fencing. Oh, and they’re sisters. They never got along super well, but ever since their dad died, it seems like they’re always at each other’s throats.
When GiGi humiliates Lucy in the cafeteria on the first day of school, Lucy snaps and challenges GiGi to a duel with high sisterly stakes. If GiGi wins, Lucy promises to stay out of GiGi’s way; if Lucy wins, GiGi will stop teasing Lucy for good. But after their scene in the cafeteria, both girls are on thin ice with the principal and their mom. Lucy stopped practicing fencing after their fencer dad died and will have to get back to fighting form in secret or she’ll be in big trouble. And GiGi must behave perfectly or risk getting kicked off the fencing team.
As the clock ticks down to the girls’ fencing bout, the anticipation grows. Their school is divided into GiGi and Lucy factions, complete with t-shirts declaring kids’ allegiances. Both sisters are determined to triumph. But will winning the duel mean fracturing their family even further?
My Thoughts
I have admired Jessixa Bagley's work for years, but to my knowledge this is her first graphic novel. Her husband Aaron, a comic illustrator, created the illustrations in his first graphic novel project.
First, I love that there is a character named GiGi. My younger self would have been beyond thrilled to see her name in a book!
There is a unique set of complex and powerful emotions involved in sibling rivalry. Why is it that we can say and do the most awful things to our siblings that we would never imagine doing to another person? The Bagley team does an amazing job in depicting the tangled emotions between Lucy and GiGi through intense dialogue and actions. They use thought boxes to show the show the characters' inner feelings of fear, anxiety and deep sadness. I think students will enjoy being able to see what is going on in the heads of the siblings as they argue.
I learned a lot about the sport of fencing through the chapter introductions. Each one introduces an aspect of the sport that also relates to the current action and mood in the story. The action gradually builds to a climax that leaves the reader surprised, satisfied and hopeful for the sibling and family dynamic. Perhaps there will be a sequel?
I am excited to add Duel to my school library.
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