I really like comics that I can read all in one sitting. Even with longer graphic novels, like Craig Thompson’s Blankets, I willl end up sitting down and powering through the entire thing.

Today I picked up Faith Erin Hicks’ “Friends With Boys” and read it while waiting for some video to render; I can definitely recommend it if you like stories that are rooted in fiction, but could easily be someone’s biography.

It tells the story of Maggie, a previously-homeschooled teenager who is the youngest of four children. Her father, a policeman in a small East-Coast-Canada town, has three other sons. Maggie’s mother mysteriously disappeared, causing some strain to the family and providing an undercurrent of uncertainty throughout the book.

The book begins with Maggie starting high school, making friends and dealing with the resulting pit of drama and hormones. It a missive to adolescence, and really, I love reading coming-of-age books. You get to see people mix, meld and grow up within the confines of the story; Hicks writes very authentic characters with whom you can identify.

Though some people have been complaining about the book’s ending, I think it’s something that needs to be taken in stride. Instead of looking for the resolution of all plot points, you can see how the characters have changed from the beginning of the book, and almost extrapolate where they’ll go from here.

I’d love to see another story with this crew, but I think it’ll just stay one volume - self contained, but saying all it needs to say.

You can actually read the entirety of Friends With Boys online, for free - I would recommend supporting the author and picking up the book if you like it, though.