While still mostly clean, there is just a bit more potentially concerning content in the graphic novel version than the original book. The worst of these by far from a Christian perspective comes when two kids are discussing a divorce. In the graphic novel version we read one of the young girls reply that, “It’s not a big deal. They’re both a lot happier now.” A well-meaning, but really deceptive message our world portrays about divorce. Divorce is in no way, “not a big deal”.
For the first portion of the book we see Katie nearly obsessing over her friend who has changed to someone she doesn’t recognize. While this is in one sense understandable, it definitely starts to cross that line. She over analyzes everything. She is completely distracted in school, ignoring the teaching. At one point she chooses to bring out her phone and text her friend during class, even though she knows it is wrong, all to ask her what is going on. This is primarily before she meets these new girls, but still good to know it is in there.
For a while Katie is dishonest with her Mom about the trouble she is having with her former best friend. This mostly comes in the form of withholding information about it even when directly asked how things are going. The graphic novel version doesn’t do quite as much to resolve this (in the book, mom is very helpful when she does eventually talk with her).
A few other items to be aware of:
There is some emphasis in the graphic novel version on a diary, which parents may have mixed feelings on.
Science teacher wears a shirt saying “Evil Mutant Science Teacher”.
The girls are talking about their moms, one says she has a cupcake obsessed mom, to which another girl replies she has a cleaning obsessed mom and another a shopping obsessed mom (supposed to be seen as funny).
There is a very unfortunate comment where a mom explains the absence of her older daughter, “When you’re 16 a family barbecue is apparently a horrible punishment”.
When she visits her old friends room she finds she has started liking “vampire boys”.
There is a bit of emphasis on a magazine and website called “Teen Style”. At first it is the old friend, who is not behaving well, but later one of the girls held in a very good light also loves it. One girl jumps on the site from her phone (unsupervised) to see the best and worst outfits from the previous night’s awards.
While looking at Teen Style one girl comments that a dress is several inches too long. We see it and it is not in any way too long, sending a bad message.
One mom lives with her boyfriend unmarried.
The girls comment that their moms are overprotective, despite them doing normal responsible parenting moves. This is never corrected.
This version uses the term “middle school blues”, potentially implying an inevitable down time during this great time to be a kid.