Kirby's Lessons for Falling (in Love): A Graphic Novel [Paperback]

“I’m once again blown away by Laura Gao’s ability to make me relate to someone completely different from myself. Get ready to experience the epic highs and lows of high school rock climbing.”—Sonora Reyes, National Book Award finalist and bestselling author ofThe Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

Once dubbed the Queen of Balance as her school’s top rock climber, Kirby Tan suffers an injury that sidelines her for the rest of the season. Now she’s forced to join the newspaper club for some desperately needed extra credit. Worse, she’s recruited by crystal-wearing, tarot-reading Bex Santos for her astrology-based love advice column. As Kirby reluctantly agrees to orchestrate “matches made in heaven” with Bex, she begins to wonder if their own stars could be aligned. But loving who she wants isn’t so easy when her family and church community are on the line. Can Kirby pull off her greatest balancing act yet?

From Laura Gao, the acclaimed creator ofMessy Roots,comes an authentic slow-burn romance and coming-of-age story perfect for fans ofHeartstopper,lovers of astrology and tarot, and anyone looking for answers on the right way to fall (in love). 

The narrative overlays immigrant community dynamics with the intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender in young adults’ identity development while drawing on Chinese cultural icons old and new, such as White Rabbit candies.... A nuanced representation of being Asian and transnational in the contemporary U.S.   -Kirkus Reviews

In this beautifully illustrated graphic memoir, debut author/artist Gao does an excellent job of representing the complexity and challenges that came with growing up as young Chinese immigrant... [H]eartfelt and relatable. -Booklist

“Messy Rootssurprised me in all the best ways.lS'