Be More Chill: The Graphic Novel Paperback – January 5, 2021

I'm a big fan of Be More Chill. I first discovered the musical through the original soundtrack after it was released, and eventually read the novel by Ned Vizzini. What people should know is that this graphic novel is an adaptation of the NOVEL, not the musical. Which is perfectly fine; I just thought it'd be good to know for people who are die hard fans of the musical.Things are obviously left out of the graphic novel to save for time, so things end up being condensed a bit. This means no Halloween party, and zero mention or showing of Jeremy's parents. Things are also left out that might be considered a bit crude, but in my opinion were some of the best aspects of Vizzini's novel. Because fact of the matter is, teen life IS crude.Don't go in expecting amazing, detailed art, but I doubt you'll be disappointed in Nick Bertozzi's art, either. It's charming in its own way, and the depictions of characters ranged from perfect depictions that I had imagined in my own head when reading the book, and depictions that were new to me, but ultimately was pleasantly surprised with. Few colors are used, but that also adds to the charm in its own way, I think. There is white, grays, black, and blue, and nothing else. But when Bertozzi chooses blue for something, it POPS.I'm a big fan of David Levithan from Every Day and its sequel, so I wasn't surprised when he did a superb job of adapting Vizzini's novel into graphic format. Again, while certain things are removed, it carries the same charm and flow of the original. I finished it in about an hour (or maybe less), and I suffered post-book depression after it was done - so that's how you know it's great!

As a reader of the original Be More Chill novel and a big fan of the Be More Chill musical, this graphic novel is exactly as you expect if you have read the novel, minus the explicit 18+ scenes.Although there would be a few parts of dialogue that are just a tad bit inconsistent, the book did not fail to make me giggle and laugh heere and there as I see the visual version of some scenes from the original Be More Chill. I enjoy how everything came out though. The art is fitting for its style, and the dialogue, despite its few inconsistencies, it’s practically the same.Also as a Michael Mell enthusiast, I was rather ashamed he was truly alone in the bathroom in contrast to the musical when he was able to chill out with a girl he met online. I hate seeing my boy sad :(anyway, nonetheless, 5 stars, good graphic adaptation. I bought the hardcover cuz its neat. Gg

I read this in a single evening. It was a nice adaptation and update from the novel.It was also the worst way to learn that Ned Vizzini died. My heart broke a little when I got to the end and read the author's notes.

Jeremy Heere is an average high school boy even though his decided lack of popularity sometimes makes him feel well below average. Jeremy pines for the beautiful Christine and wishes he could figure out all the rules the popular kids seem to figure out so easily be, well, popular.Then Jeremy learns about the squip. It's from Japan. Quantum nano-technology CPU. The quantum computer in the pill will travel through your blood until It implants in your brain and it tells you what to do.With a pill-sized supercomputer telling him what to do, Jeremy knows he can finally win over Christine, gain popularity, become the coolest guy in school. But as Jeremy relies more and more on the squip's influence, he'll have to decide if being cool is worth giving up on being himself in Be More Chill: The Graphic Novel (2021) by Ned Vizzini, adapted by David Levithan, illustrated by Nick Bertozzi.Be More Chill: The Graphic Novel is, as you might have guessed, the graphic novel adaptation of Vizzini's 2004 novel by the same name. The original book also inspired a musical adaptation which I may more or may not have quoted in my booktalk above--did you catch the reference?Levithan's adaptation of the text works well to bring the book into graphic novel form. Bertozzi's illustrations are primarily black and white with blue as an accent color. This choice works very well to focus reader attention as the story moves forward. It's worth noting that this a faithful adaptation of Vizzini's original text which features a dramatically different story arc than the musical.Readers familiar with the story but new to graphic novels will enjoy this new format even without the madcap changes found in the musical. Recommended for readers looking for a contemporary graphic novel with elements of speculative fiction and caustic wit.Possible Pairings: Simon Vs. The Homo-Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, Deacon Locke Went to Prom by Brian Katcher, The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga, The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness, Super Fake Love Song by David Yoon

I bought this because BMC is my favorite musical and I have the original novel and the novelization of the broadway show - thought this could round it off. It is what it is - its Be More Chill the graphic novel, but the art is very lackluster and the plot is also very simplified. If you want this to understand Be More Chill, I'd recommend just getting the book version.

What young person talks like these characters. It's like it was written by a ninety year old white guy who wanted to try and write something relevant and did his research on Facebook.... I will not be using this inmy classroom.