A parent should reach for this book when their child seems to be performing for friends, hiding their true interests, or struggling with the anxiety of not fitting in. "The Real Riley Mayes" is a gentle graphic novel about a fifth-grader who tries to befriend the popular kids by creating a "cool" new personality. This act of hiding her real self, including her love for old comedy and her budding crush on a girl named Cate, causes her immense stress. The story tenderly explores themes of self-acceptance, the pressure to conform, and finding friends who love you for who you truly are. It's a perfect, accessible read for pre-teens navigating the complex social world of middle school and beginning to question their identity.
The book deals directly with early LGBTQ+ identity exploration. The approach is internal and gentle, focusing on Riley's personal confusion and dawning realization about her crush on a girl. It is presented in a completely secular context. The resolution is realistic and very hopeful: Riley doesn't make a grand declaration, but she accepts this part of herself and finds friends who support the real her, suggesting a positive path forward.
Ideal Reader
This is for the 10- to 13-year-old who feels like an outsider or is struggling with social anxiety. It's perfect for a child who is trying on different personalities to see where they fit, or who may be quietly questioning their identity (whether related to interests, friendships, or sexuality) and needs to see that journey normalized.
Parent Prep
No significant prep is needed; the book can be read cold. The content is gentle and age-appropriate. Parents should be ready for a potential conversation about having crushes and normalizing that those feelings can be for any gender. The book provides a very soft, natural entry point for this discussion. A parent notices their child seems unhappy or exhausted after being with friends. They might hear their child say something like, "My friends think that's weird, so I don't talk about it anymore," or observe them changing their clothes, music, or hobbies to match a specific peer group.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will primarily connect with the universal feelings of wanting to fit in, the pain of hiding one's interests, and the dynamics of tricky friendships. An older reader (12-14) will likely grasp the deeper themes of identity, the nuance of Riley's anxiety, and the significance of her crush on Cate as a step in self-discovery.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many middle-grade books that deal with identity through high-drama events, this book's power is in its quiet, internal focus. The graphic novel format masterfully conveys Riley's inner world, making her anxiety and quiet observations incredibly palpable. It feels less like a "problem novel" and more like an authentic, slice-of-life story about the universal, confusing, and ultimately hopeful process of becoming yourself.
Read plot summary
Fifth-grader Riley Mayes starts at a new school determined to be cool and finally fit in. She falls in with the popular crowd, led by a girl named Bee, but finds she must hide her true personality: her love for vintage comedy, her quirky sense of humor, and her unique style. The pressure to maintain this facade, coupled with her growing, confusing crush on another girl, Cate, creates significant anxiety. The narrative follows Riley's internal struggle between her authentic self and the person she pretends to be, culminating in her finding the courage to embrace who she is and discovering what true friendship looks like.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Riley creates a "Cool Riley" list to try to fit in. What are some of the things on her "Real Riley" list that she hides? Have you ever felt like you needed to hide something you liked to be cool?
2
On page 158, Riley's mom says, "Being brave isn't about not being scared... It's about being scared and doing it anyway." Where in the story do you think Riley shows this kind of bravery?
3
How is Riley's friendship with Cate different from her friendship with Bee and the other girls? What does Cate do that helps Riley feel more comfortable being herself?
4
The illustrations often show what Riley is thinking or feeling, even when she isn't saying it out loud. Can you find a panel where her face or the pictures around her tell us something important about her anxiety?
