
A parent might reach for this book when their creative, introverted teen is coping with grief, loss, or a major life change that has left them feeling isolated. Will & Whit is a graphic novel about Wilhelmina, a quiet high school artist navigating the anniversary of her parents' death. She retreats into her art, but her world is shaken by a new friendship, a looming hurricane, and a mysterious shadow creature named Whit who seems to personify her fears. This book beautifully visualizes the internal struggles of grief and anxiety, making it a powerful tool for teens aged 12 to 16. It's an excellent choice for a young reader who communicates better through art and needs to see that creativity can be a path to healing and connection.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe parents' deaths occurred in the past but are frequently referenced and are key to the plot.
Characters face danger from an approaching hurricane and storm.
The book deals directly with the death of parents. The grief is handled both directly (through memories and conversations) and metaphorically (through the shadow creature, Whit). The approach is secular. The resolution is hopeful and realistic: Will doesn't magically “get over” her grief, but she learns to integrate it, find strength in community, and use her art to process it.
A highly creative, introverted tween or young teen (12-15) who is processing a significant loss or change. This book is perfect for a reader who feels misunderstood, uses art as a coping mechanism, and would benefit from seeing complex emotions given a visual, tangible form.
The book can be read cold. Parents should be aware that the central event is the past death of parents in a car accident, a topic that is handled sensitively. The hurricane scenes create peril that mirrors the main character's internal state but may be frightening for very sensitive readers. A parent has noticed their creative child becoming more withdrawn and isolated after a loss or a difficult transition. The child might be struggling to articulate their feelings verbally but is pouring them into a sketchbook or journal. The parent is looking for a way to open a conversation about these big feelings.
A younger reader (12-13) will likely connect most with the friendship plot and the literal adventure of the hurricane. They will understand Whit as a symbol of sadness. An older teen (14-16) will more deeply appreciate the psychological nuance of Whit as a manifestation of anxiety and unprocessed grief, and the sophisticated use of visual metaphor throughout the novel.
This book's standout feature is its masterful use of the graphic novel format to personify an internal emotional state. By making grief and anxiety a literal character (“Whit”), Gulledge gives young readers a concrete way to understand and engage with abstract and overwhelming feelings. Its focus on art not just as a hobby but as a vital tool for healing and communication is also unique.
Wilhelmina “Will,” a shy high school artist, is quietly struggling with the grief from her parents’ death in a car accident years prior. She lives with her aunt and finds solace in her art. As the anniversary of the accident and a massive hurricane approach, her internal turmoil manifests as a shadowy creature she names “Whit.” Simultaneously, she begins a tentative friendship with a bold, outgoing classmate named Autumn. The story follows Will as she navigates her new friendship and learns to confront the personified grief that haunts her.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.