Big Nate is the first book I’ve read this month that really does read as a comic rather than a graphic novel. It doesn’t have linear cohesive plot; it’s a series of short sketches, none really much longer than a page or two. A few episodes recur throughout the book such as a snowball fight, the annoying girl Gina, summer vacation, but other than that, don’t expect a story. While this short burst style may appeal to readers who can’t sustain attention, it also does them no favors in terms of building reading skills related to perseverance or increasing stamina. The lack of continuity will also be very confusing to some readers who will struggle to keep up with the constant scene and story changes.
I sense I’m going to have some gender issues with the book when two pages in, a pair of girls walk away from a lunch table because the boys burped. The next page tells us that girls NEVER visit comic stores, which is patently untrue, but if all comic books were like this one, would make a lot of sense. Girls appear rarely throughout, and are generally treated with disrespect, especially the teacher who is referred to as a “the man” and supposedly has a mustache. She is later called “fatso” and is the subject of a liposuction joke. Essentially they are one-dimensional caricatures who bear little resemblance to real world girls and women.
In this Big Nate book girls exist not for themselves, but merely as a punchline. The argument that this is the worldview of actual sixth grade boys (Nate’s real life counterparts I expect) just doesn’t work for me. Firstly, I firmly believe that most boys have some girls or women, whether it be mothers, sisters, coaches, teachers or even (gasp!) friends whom they love and respect. Secondly, books that choose to use female characters in the way that Big Nate does do not only reinforce the stereotype that boys have no interest in anything a girl would have to say, and place no value upon females, but also lend that perspective weight. I strongly encourage parents, librarians and booksellers to read a Big Nate book and consider Peirce’s rendering of women and girls before suggesting it or book talking it to potential readers. There are so many other great books (including the Lunch Lady series I just reviewed) that will entertain and capture the attention of the same readers without degrading an entire gender.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – A boy ogles a comic book of Red Sonja. We don’t see her though. Nate is given a wedgie; the illustration shows his underwear and his butt crack. Two girls like a boy. Nate dreams that a girl thinks he’s wonderful. Nate says playing the trombone doesn’t help him get girls. He refers to girls as “babes”. Boys take off their shirts to impress the girls. The girls are not impressed. Nate asks girls out over the intercom. He is composing a love song to a girl. Nate paints a picture called “Battle of the Bloodsucking Biker Babes”. An observer comments on the bikinis of the girls in that picture. Nate talks about how guys rate girls and wonder if girls rate boys in return. Nate is shown reading a Cosmo and comments that an article says “Women are attracted to ‘bad boys’!” There’s a reference to watching a birth movie in health class. One character makes a reference to a “male enhancement supplement”.
Profanity – “Dang”, “stupid”, a character is called a “wuss boy” for wanting to be honest, “wussy-boys”, “jerky”, “screw up”, “butthead”, “fatso”, “idiot”, “what the…”, “jerk” ,
Death, Violence and Gore – We see Nate’s dad treating some of Nate’s cuts. Characters are in the face by snowballs. Nate hits someone in the head with a book. Nate has a skateboarding accident. Nate is strangled by a friend. The boys play an arcade shooting game. A book is crammed in his mouth. His mouth is taped shut. Nate is punched in the face. There are many incidents of people smacking each other (sometimes with objects).
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.
