The Greatest Thing follows Winifred as she starts another year of high school but without the friends she came to rely on. Her two friends have transferred to private schools leaving her alone as they drifted apart (but perhaps they weren't really friends anyway?). The only thing about this school year she's looking forward to is her independent study where she'll create her very own comic book. What follows is a story of friendship, depression, and finding one's way when feeling lost. Winifred makes two new friends and an old friend brings her into their circle. Sarah Winifred Searle creates an honest look at depression, self harm, questioning sexuality when the words we have now don't exist (non-binary was not a widely used term in the early 2000s which is when this takes place) and the darker days of high school. The story will reach to the core of readers struggling with their own mental health and perhaps will be just the nudge they need to talk to someone. Searle's look at mental health is honest and the graphic novel format lends itself perfectly to this story. A fantastic work for teen readers and a must have on library shelves.

I thought this book was beautiful. The story was sensitive and caring to the issues that the characters face. I will be passing it eagerly to students.