Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy A Graphic Novel by Jonathan Hill

This graphic novel tackles the universal anxieties of starting middle school through the wonderfully specific lens of Tommy, a lizard-boy refugee from the Earth's core trying to blend in as a human seventh-grader. Jonathan Hill masterfully uses the graphic novel format to visualize the chasm between Tommy's true reptilian self and his human disguise, making the themes of identity and belonging instantly accessible. The story finds its heart as Tommy befriends two other new students, Dung and Scarlett, forming a tight-knit trio that navigates the treacherous social landscape of the lunchroom and the classroom.

The book's brilliance lies in how it uses its fantastical premise to explore the very real emotional turmoil of early adolescence, where everyone feels like an outsider in their own skin. The central conflict ignites when Tommy's reliance on his secret powers of disguise threatens the very friendships that make him feel accepted, creating a powerful metaphor for the fear of being "found out." Young readers navigating their own complex social worlds will find deep resonance in this story about the courage it takes to be your true self, even when you're terrified it will cost you everything.