Awkward

Peppi is the main protagonist, a preteen illustrated with light brown skin and medium brown hair tied back in a low ponytail. Much of the early plot revolves around Peppi’s internal struggles with apologizing to Jaime for pushing him, while the latter half of the plot revolves around the escalating conflict between the art and science clubs and how Peppi resolves it. Her internal growth in the first part of the graphic novel helps her resolve the external conflicts in the latter half.

When she starts at Berrybrook, Peppi wants to find a place to belong. She thinks that getting “noticed by the mean kids” (6) on her first day at school will ruin her chances of fitting in, which leads her to shove Jaime. While she struggles to apologize to Jaime, she seeks “out groups with similar interests” (12), which leads her to join the art club. The art club provides Peppi with a space to socialize and make friends, which she has trouble doing elsewhere.

Peppi’s timidity and shyness make it a struggle to apologize to Jaime, even though she is ashamed of her actions. However, Peppi realizes the importance of