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Duel

By Jessixa Bagley
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4.02 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 1,424 ratings, 228 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Duel by Jessixa Bagley is a delightful and engaging children's book that beautifully explores themes of friendship and rivalry. It follows the story of two friends whose playful competition sometimes gets out of hand. Through humour and heartwarming illustrations, the book portrays how misunderstandings can arise and, with creativity and reconciliation, how friendships can be mended.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you enjoy heartwarming stories filled with delightful illustrations and themes of friendship and conflict resolution. It offers a creative retelling of the classic elements of duelling, with unique characters that children and adults will both appreciate. It's perfect for those who love stories with humour and a gentle approach to overcoming differences.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Sixth grader Lucy is brand-new to middle school, and when her older sister GiGi--the undisputed queen bee of eighth grade--humiliates her in the cafeteria, Lucy snaps and challenges her to a fencing duel.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Duel is a rivalry between sisters that culminates in a fencing duel in this funny and emotional debut graphic novel sure to appeal to readers of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale.

Sixth grader Lucy loves fantasy novels and is brand-new to middle school. GiGi is the undisputed queen bee of eighth grade (as well as everything else she does). They’ve only got one thing in common: fencing. Oh, and they’re sisters. They never got along super well, but ever since their dad died, it seems like they’re always at each other’s throats.

When GiGi humiliates Lucy in the cafeteria on the first day of school, Lucy snaps and challenges GiGi to a duel with high sisterly stakes. If GiGi wins, Lucy promises to stay out of GiGi’s way; if Lucy wins, GiGi will stop teasing Lucy for good. But after their scene in the cafeteria, both girls are on thin ice with the principal and their mum. Lucy stopped practising fencing after their fencer dad died and will have to get back to fighting form in secret or she’ll be in big trouble. And GiGi must behave perfectly or risk getting kicked off the fencing team.

As the clock ticks down to the girls’ fencing bout, the anticipation grows. Their school is divided into GiGi and Lucy factions, complete with t-shirts declaring kids’ allegiances. Both sisters are determined to triumph. But will winning the duel mean fracturing their family even further?

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The book is praised for its blend of sports drama and middle school emotions, with fencing concepts enhancing the storytelling. It's highlighted for its nuanced exploration of grief, sisterly rivalry, and the role of family and friends. The art style is noted for its juxtaposition between dreamy past sequences and vibrant present-day scenes, offering an intense and heartfelt narrative that appeals to young readers, especially fans of graphic novels like those by Raina Telgemeier or Dan Santat.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781534496545

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 November 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Illustration: f-c reflective uncoated int (4-2 coated cvr: french flaps, spfx: spot gloss & emboss)

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Aaron Bagley

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 601g

Pages: 320

Collections

Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Graphic Novels Jessixa Bagley Young Adult

About the Author

Jessixa Bagley is a children’s book author-illustrator with a background in fine art and comics. She has had work featured in publications such as New American Paintings, Highlights Magazine, The Stranger, and Illustoria Magazine. She’s also the author of the middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie (illustrated by Aaron Bagley) and the author-illustrator of the middle grade graphic novel series Jazzy the Witch. Jessixa is a two-time Washington State Book Award recipient; first in 2016 for her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, and again in 2024 for her graphic novel, Duel. Jessixa also received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for picture book Laundry Day. Many of her books are Junior Library Guild Selections. In her work, she’s drawn to animals and emotional themes often inspired by her own experiences. Jessixa also teaches and speaks about writing and illustration. She often illustrates for other writers and artistically collaborates with her husband, Aaron Bagley. Jessixa lives in Seattle with her husband and son.

Aaron Bagley is an illustrator, painter, and comics artist. He loves to draw from observation, life experiences, and his dreams and has filled more than 225 sketchbooks with his drawings. Over the years he’s illustrated for numerous organizations including 826 Seattle as well as being featured in publications like The Virginia Quarterly Review, The Stranger, The Seattle Review of Books, and many more. He’s a frequent contributor to the Illustoria Magazine for both writing and illustration. Aaron also collaborates with his wife, Jessixa. Together, they’ve created picture book Vincent Comes Home and middle grade graphic novels Duel and Dear Jackie. Aaron received a 2024 Washington State Book Award for illustrating Duel. He lives in Seattle with his wife and son.

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