Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Written and illustrated by cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki.

This graphic novel features pudgy, Asian American, Skim (aka Kimberly Keiko Cameron, a goth girl in an all-girls school in Toronto, in the early 1990s). Skim (who isn't slim) and her best friend Lisa both feel like outsiders looking in and can't help but be affected by the recent suicide of a local boy. At first they are amused by the popular crowd creating this spirit club to support teens who might want to kill themselves. As this kind of drama will never be part of their lifes.

Shown from Skim's diary and point of view we see her sour relationships with her parents and her best friend Lisa who are exploring Wiccan, tarot cards and trying to find themselves. Lisa and Skim spend a lot of time in the forest talking and being one with nature. It also becomes her private space to meet with Ms. Archer, her drama & English teacher. Suddenly Skim starts to fall in low with Ms. Archer, an affection only briefly requited before the teacher leaves without explanation. Skim feels more and more isolated as her friend Lisa seems more interested in finding new friends and not interested in having Skim go with her. The forest starts to represent Skim's deeper depression and sense of isolation.

At first you think that Skim will not survive the depression. But we see Skim find her inner strength to befriend another girl, Katie (exgirlfriend of the boy who killed himself) who is also suffering. Their developing friendship brings Skim out of her depression and helps her find some inner joy. The ending is haunting as while we see Skim moving on with her life, her former friend Lisa is show walking alone back into the forest.