No questions here, just wanted to say thank you! I am a public children’s librarian, and I’ve made it my mission to expand and diversify our collection. I am so excited to add your voices to our shelves! I can’t wait to share your book with everyone and for kids to discover it on their own. It makes me emotional to think about a young me reading your story, and I am so happy that kids today will have it. I tuned into you and Tillie at Middle Grade Magic and was jumping out of my seat in agreement with what you had to say about representation and kid’s books. I’ve had the Junior High release date on my calendar for months -- can’t wait!! Thank you for all you do and for all you are!
Looking forward to the virtual event. Would you consider livestreaming one of the shows on the tour for those of us outside the US/Canada who can’t make the tour?
I wish I could go to one of the in-person events but there aren't any near me :( but I signed up for the virtual! Can't wait! I have a couple questions (not sure if you saw them on the notes post but i'm re-sending them here lol)
1. Although the graphic novel is more of a modern take on junior high, was there any specific moment you remember from your time in junior high that you really wanted to implement into the graphic novel?
2. How different was it collaborating with Tillie for a graphic novel compared to just collaborating with your sibling on a memoir? Is the creative process different or similar?
Almost a year ago, I read this article in The Guardian covering the efforts of a few book enthusiasts who have fought back against the increasing book bans in their areas. (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/sep/20/us-book-bans-fight-school-library) From 2021-2022 the number of titles being challenged in the United States doubled and with every new conservative in office, we see the increase in efforts to censor library books and resources that are restricting information and discouraging freedom of thought.
With children's books being the primary target, and Junior High tailored to young adults, are you anticipating any backlash with states who are warping the 1st Amendment protections to fit their agendas? Are there any strategic plans to make Junior High more accessible in states where bans already exist? Would love to hear you guys thoughts on book banning in general.
I have already asked these questions on the note you added last week, so I’m just going to reask them here.
1. Will you share footage and clips of the time you were in Junior High the way you did during the release of High School?
2. What was the most uncomfortable situation a teacher might have put you in during those years at school? (I always like to find out since I teach Grade 8.)
3. Would you release a more extended account of Junior High as a fully written memoir without the graphics that could include more adult themes (You've mentioned something about removing some inappropriate stories due to the age limit) that are exclusively aimed at an older audience? I'd love to read more of your journey toward adolescence and then adulthood and superstardom.
This is another question I have:
How do you think your experiences (in school, as siblings, with friendships) during junior high have shaped your current adult selves? In other words, do you think those ages of junior high as the first ever stages of awareness to people’s surroundings and relationships have a serious effect on their adulthood or are they just random years that pass by and do not shape the child as much as early childhood and teenage years do?
Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions for us who can't make it in person! Here's one: Did you interview any middle schoolers before writing the graphic novel? Some things happen to everyone, internally and physically, when we hit puberty but because it's set in present day I wonder if you guys talked to any kids about their experiences, to get a feel of what it's like to be a tween, and to be in school right now?
Questions huh? Hmm, might have to get back to you on that one. But I am very excited for the book release!
I’m going to get onto signing up for the virtual event! I wish I could travel to Canada to see a book event or a concert (preferably both!) sadly I don’t even have a job yet so that won’t be happening any time soon! I have to wait for you to come here!
Thought of a question,
On your TikTok you shared a story that was really interesting and awkward (in a good way), so my question is- do you have any other stories that didn’t make it in? (Maybe because it’s set to a younger audience or something along those lines?) (funny relatable stories or weird funny ones. We’re here for the rambling so whatever it is I’m sure it’ll be fantastic!)
I love how the graphic novel is going to be young Tegan and Sara, but modern times. It was just only a few years ago that I was in junior high- my hair was still long and I hadn't quite figured out that I was gay (even though I was VERY aware of who Tegan and Sara were). I think this book is going to be great for lots of younger teenagers and hopefully they'll become fans of Tegan and Sara after reading the graphic novel.
OH! and sort of unrelated but I went to a yard sale in my neighborhood and one of the people there was reading "high school". I got really excited and started talking about the show (they probably thought something was wrong with me💀)
Anyways, Time for my question.
What inspired you to start creating this project? And who's idea was it- Tegan or Sara's (or someone else)
did you give tillie any artistic direction, or did she have complete creative freedom over how she illustrated the graphic novel? also, was working with an illustrator different or comparable to working with a creative director (say, emy)?
As soon as you guys announced the book tour I immediately bought tickets for my son and I to your stop in NY...we live 7 hours away in Ohio. Fuck it, right? Can't wait ♡
I got it today as mosaic Books in Kelowna only had 12 signed copies of it .so far I’m loving the book .brings back certain memories of being in junior high for me
We have a new book!
No questions here, just wanted to say thank you! I am a public children’s librarian, and I’ve made it my mission to expand and diversify our collection. I am so excited to add your voices to our shelves! I can’t wait to share your book with everyone and for kids to discover it on their own. It makes me emotional to think about a young me reading your story, and I am so happy that kids today will have it. I tuned into you and Tillie at Middle Grade Magic and was jumping out of my seat in agreement with what you had to say about representation and kid’s books. I’ve had the Junior High release date on my calendar for months -- can’t wait!! Thank you for all you do and for all you are!
Looking forward to the virtual event. Would you consider livestreaming one of the shows on the tour for those of us outside the US/Canada who can’t make the tour?
I wish I could go to one of the in-person events but there aren't any near me :( but I signed up for the virtual! Can't wait! I have a couple questions (not sure if you saw them on the notes post but i'm re-sending them here lol)
1. Although the graphic novel is more of a modern take on junior high, was there any specific moment you remember from your time in junior high that you really wanted to implement into the graphic novel?
2. How different was it collaborating with Tillie for a graphic novel compared to just collaborating with your sibling on a memoir? Is the creative process different or similar?
Almost a year ago, I read this article in The Guardian covering the efforts of a few book enthusiasts who have fought back against the increasing book bans in their areas. (https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/sep/20/us-book-bans-fight-school-library) From 2021-2022 the number of titles being challenged in the United States doubled and with every new conservative in office, we see the increase in efforts to censor library books and resources that are restricting information and discouraging freedom of thought.
With children's books being the primary target, and Junior High tailored to young adults, are you anticipating any backlash with states who are warping the 1st Amendment protections to fit their agendas? Are there any strategic plans to make Junior High more accessible in states where bans already exist? Would love to hear you guys thoughts on book banning in general.
I have already asked these questions on the note you added last week, so I’m just going to reask them here.
1. Will you share footage and clips of the time you were in Junior High the way you did during the release of High School?
2. What was the most uncomfortable situation a teacher might have put you in during those years at school? (I always like to find out since I teach Grade 8.)
3. Would you release a more extended account of Junior High as a fully written memoir without the graphics that could include more adult themes (You've mentioned something about removing some inappropriate stories due to the age limit) that are exclusively aimed at an older audience? I'd love to read more of your journey toward adolescence and then adulthood and superstardom.
This is another question I have:
How do you think your experiences (in school, as siblings, with friendships) during junior high have shaped your current adult selves? In other words, do you think those ages of junior high as the first ever stages of awareness to people’s surroundings and relationships have a serious effect on their adulthood or are they just random years that pass by and do not shape the child as much as early childhood and teenage years do?
Thanks for the opportunity to ask questions for us who can't make it in person! Here's one: Did you interview any middle schoolers before writing the graphic novel? Some things happen to everyone, internally and physically, when we hit puberty but because it's set in present day I wonder if you guys talked to any kids about their experiences, to get a feel of what it's like to be a tween, and to be in school right now?
Back in the day, what was the most hits of acid Sara ever ate at one time?
Yipeeeee! I just ordered my book again and a ticket to the virtual event. Im soooo excited
So excited for you. I hope the events are amazing. I will be joining virtually and can't wait.
1) Were there aspects of current middle schoolers that shocked you as you were doing research? Can you name a few of them?
2) Were you two more collaborative in this project than your songs or your memoir?
3) What parts of middle school did you love? A teacher? A subject? After school ritual?
So is High School going to have flashbacks taken from this book? Because that might be fun.
Hey Tegan and Sara,
Questions huh? Hmm, might have to get back to you on that one. But I am very excited for the book release!
I’m going to get onto signing up for the virtual event! I wish I could travel to Canada to see a book event or a concert (preferably both!) sadly I don’t even have a job yet so that won’t be happening any time soon! I have to wait for you to come here!
Thought of a question,
On your TikTok you shared a story that was really interesting and awkward (in a good way), so my question is- do you have any other stories that didn’t make it in? (Maybe because it’s set to a younger audience or something along those lines?) (funny relatable stories or weird funny ones. We’re here for the rambling so whatever it is I’m sure it’ll be fantastic!)
Phoenix, he/they/it, 16, Australia
I love how the graphic novel is going to be young Tegan and Sara, but modern times. It was just only a few years ago that I was in junior high- my hair was still long and I hadn't quite figured out that I was gay (even though I was VERY aware of who Tegan and Sara were). I think this book is going to be great for lots of younger teenagers and hopefully they'll become fans of Tegan and Sara after reading the graphic novel.
OH! and sort of unrelated but I went to a yard sale in my neighborhood and one of the people there was reading "high school". I got really excited and started talking about the show (they probably thought something was wrong with me💀)
Anyways, Time for my question.
What inspired you to start creating this project? And who's idea was it- Tegan or Sara's (or someone else)
did you give tillie any artistic direction, or did she have complete creative freedom over how she illustrated the graphic novel? also, was working with an illustrator different or comparable to working with a creative director (say, emy)?
As soon as you guys announced the book tour I immediately bought tickets for my son and I to your stop in NY...we live 7 hours away in Ohio. Fuck it, right? Can't wait ♡
Ps-do you do signings/pics at any of the events?
This is my first book tour so I'm learning 🙃😊
Ordered the 2 shirts and book... ok maybe a sweater too. 👀🤫
I got it today as mosaic Books in Kelowna only had 12 signed copies of it .so far I’m loving the book .brings back certain memories of being in junior high for me