On Guard! is a sharp, empowering debut filled with heart, humor, and a fierce spirit. This was such a fun graphic novel! I was thrilled to see a title that highlighted fencing clubs as a sport! The main character is relatable, determined, and easy to root for, and the story beautifully explores friendship, identity, and resilience. It’s fast-paced, inspiring, and full of emotional depth—perfect for YA readers looking for something fresh and empowering. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy—I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging and uplifting read!

In Cassidy Wasserman’s ON GUARD! Grace is not looking forward to starting seventh grade. Her parents are in the midst of a divorce, which is impacting her living arrangements, her relationship with her mom is strained at best, and her best friend has moved on to join the “in” crowd. To avoid eating alone, she takes her lunch to the gym and eats in the bleachers, where she sees a group of kids practicing fencing. When it comes time to join a club, she takes a leap and decides to try it, too. As she grows her skills, she finds new friends and develops strategies for navigating her complicated relationship with her mother.

Common middle grade feelings about friendship and fitting in are addressed here and framed by fencing, a sport that may not be familiar to all readers but that is well explained through the text and illustrations. Grace’s relationship with her mother is complex, but this is tempered by the warm and supportive rapport between Grace and her father and by how her father and her participation in fencing help her to manage the challenges. With action and emotion taking center stage, this graphic novel will satisfy readers who can’t get enough of friendship and coming of age stories.

On Guard! is a heartfelt graphic novel which is perfect for middle grade. It is about navigating transitions, grit and perseverance, all while adjusting to middle school!

Grace has had a tumultuous summer in which her parents divorced and her best friend ditched her. Forced to weather seventh grade alone, Grace flounders then flourishes in finding new friendship and a new sport that she excels at.

This graphic novel also unpacks difficult mother-daughter relationships and the fallout of divorce and how that affects a tween.

Such a lovely read, thank you to the publishers for an advanced e-copy!

On Guard! is a fantastic middle grade graphic novel! New school years can be stressful, but its even more stressful when you parents just divorced and your best friend has ditched you for the 'cool' crowd. Readers will relate to Grace and the ups and downs of the start of 7th grade. Recommended for all collections serving grades 5-7.

Grace Collins has had a rough go of late. Her parents divorced over the summer and she splits her weeks between living with her dad in the house or with her mom in an apartment. In addition, she has just started 7th grade middle school where her BFF Ava basically dumps her to make friends with others. Grace has difficulty fitting in and decides to check out various after-school clubs. None of them seem to be to her liking. With no one to sit with during lunchtime, she eats in the school gym where she notices students practicing fencing. This unique sport quickly peaks her interest and she is encouraged to join the team. There she immediately makes friends and finally fits in … at least in school. In the house with her dad, she feels comfortable and supported. In the apartment with her mom, it’s like oil and water. They do not get along – at all. Grace’s toxic mom is constantly barraging her, making her cry and feel small, and simply not listening to her when Grace wants to talk. Will this rocky road for Grace and mom Regina ever be clearly paved?

What started out to be about a graphic novel about a middle-aged girl looking to fit in with her school peers and adjusting to divorce turned out to be a book of conflict between mother and daughter. According to the author, this book is loosely based upon her life. This actually worked because besides enjoying reading and learning about the sport of fencing and the techniques (side note: watched fencing during the Olympics, which was fascinating) and how it brings out the bright side of Grace, we also see the dark side of Grace whenever she is with her mother. The illustrations were perfect, colors were bright and lovely, and the story clearly is a winner and one not to be passed.

Seventh grade can be hard, but things are more challenging than Grace ever anticipated when she loses her best friend and her parents get divorced. How is she meant to navigate losing her best friend since kindergarten while also navigating her parents' constant fighting and her mom's judgemental attitude?

This graphic novel from Wasserman explores the realities of the highs and lows of middle school, while also touching on familial relationships that are not often portrayed in literature for youth. While many mother-daughter relationships in media are that of best friends and confidants and unwavering support and love, that may not be true for all kids. This graphic novel perfectly encapsulates what it feels like to be on the outside of that relationship, wishing and willing things to change, before accepting that some things are beyond your control.

Many children who do not feel seen will see their reflection looking back at them from this graphic novel.

Unfortunately this was just okay for me. I liked the art well enough, but the story wasn't great. I love fencing and the metaphors were good, but I was also bored.

Wasserman, Cassidy. On Guard. Random House Books, 2025, 9780593649992. $21.99. 256p. Grades 4-8.

Description: Grace is dreading the start of the new school year. Her ex-best friend, Ava is in almost all of her classes, her parents are freshly divorced, and she is still not really on great terms with her mom post-divorce. She feels like she just doesn’t fit in and she knows she needs a hobby, but nothing seems that interesting to her. So, when she escapes the lunch room one day and sees a group of students practicing fencing, she reluctantly decides to give it a try, and it just may be what she needs.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this graphic novel. I thought it was really well done and showed how divorce for a pre-teen can be in an authentic and genuine manner. I think many upper elementary and middle level readers would enjoy this novel.

741.5/ Graphic Novel/ Realistic Fiction

Tags: Fencing, Divorce, Fitting In, Friendship,

I enjoyed the graphic novel and how it showed a complex mother/daughter relationship. The custody agreement issues rang true to me.

On Guard! is a middle grade graphic novel about a girl looking to find her place. Grace's parents are divorced and the court orders her to switch houses each week, which she struggles with because of her rocky relationship with her mom. She also had a falling out with her best friend Ava, so to make new friends she joins the fencing team where she finally finds some footing. This is a quick but impactful read that any middle schooler will be able to relate to.
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

We're always drawn to graphic novels featuring middle-grade girls navigating growing up. I would say it's kind of our thing, actually. This landed particularly well for the third-grader who devours anything Raina or Kayla Miller. Beautifully relatable, important social-emotional themes for the age group, and an added bonus of learning about a lesser known sport in fencing. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the advance copy. All opinions are entirely my (and my young readers' own).

On Guard! by Cassidy Wasserman tells the story of Grace, a seventh-grader navigating a challenging year. Grace is dealing with the fallout from a friendship breakup, her parents' divorce, and a strained relationship with her mother.

As Grace struggles to find her place, she discovers the school's fencing club. The story follows Grace as she explores this new sport and finds a potential outlet for her emotions and a place where she feels she belongs.

Wasserman's graphic novel delves into themes of finding your footing, dealing with family difficulties, and the complexities of friendships, all while introducing the world of fencing to the reader.

An engaging graphic novel that deals with some difficult topics. Some kids will be pulled in by the idea of a fencing team. The friend relationships can appeal to nearly anyone. It will also help kids who struggle with their relationship with their parents see they're not alone and maybe develop some ways to cope.

Thank you for the ARC. I will purchase for my library.

“On Guard!” is a charming graphic novel with a colourful and pretty art style.

It follows Grace, a middle schooler dealing with the aftermath of her best friend quitting their friendship. Meanwhile, she also navigates a strained relationship with her mother.

As she starts fencing at the beginning of the new school year, Grace not only learns a new sport but also finds a new group of friends and a sense of belonging.

This is a heartfelt story about friendship, resilience, and finding your place. It’s a great middle grade novel.

When I first saw the cover, I thought it was an astronaut and wanted to know why this for a title. But then I read the book. This was a wonderful book. Not only did I learn about the sport of fencing (which I knew nothing about), but how hard it can be for kids growing up when parents are not together. The main character not only had a difficult time at home, but also with a friendship, she had lots to deal with. The ending was happy, gaining an activity that is different and fun and new friends. Plus things to improve at home.
I also liked how the author explained fencing. What you need to wear and use and how to score. The author also gave background of herself.
I really enjoyed this book all around. I read it in one sitting, it was difficult to put down.
Living in a rural area, I wish our students had an opportunity to try fencing.

"On Guard!" is a graphic novel that is about 2/3rds emotional turmoil as Grace tries to navigate her parent's acrimonious divorce, and 1/3rd sports book as she develops an interest in fencing. I would say the way Grace's mom can be emotionally abusive is a little darker than the cover implies. Kids who are looking for a feel good book about a girl trying to find herself in a new situation may be disappointed as it is really a B-plot to the way Grace and her mother cannot find common ground, and how Grace's self-esteem is greatly harmed by her mother's controlling behavior and comments. As it stands, I would recommend this book, but more for readers who finished "Hey Kiddo" or "Weirdo" than the sports-loving graphic novel readers who enjoyed the other fencing themed graphic novel "Duel!" by Jessixa Bagley or "The Tryout" by Christina Soontornvat.

As a middle school librarian, I'm always looking for great middle grade graphic novels, and On Guard checked all the boxes!
Believable characters
Real world situations
Age appropriate actions
Friendship
Humor
Empathy
Readers will love Marshall Middle School and its characters.
Cassidy Wasserman wins this match!

I really liked this graphic novel!
I loved all the positive lessons and takeaways about divorce, friends, and self-control! I think this would be a great read for kids who suffered through a divorce. It felt like a hug to my younger self :)

As far as story goes, little sprinkles of fencing facts and lessons mixed with the main storyline made this a lovely read! It was smooth reading and easy to understand. And the art style? This is the first I've seen of Cassidy Wasserman's artwork and it was truly a delight! I love how she breathed life into the flat color style! The character designs are simple, yet charming. And they make a great contrast to the detailed, watercolored background. Oh, and did I mention the entire graphic novel is in full color~
All-in-all, I enjoyed reading this book and I've already recommended it to a few friends!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me early access! <3

On Guard is a beautifully complicated graphic novel. It focuses on the main characters difficult relationship with her mom. It also focuses on how hard it is to find your tribe in middle school. They art work is fantastic. It is a great novel to add to any classroom library.

This was a very great book! Awesome story for anyone who has gone through their parents divorcing or fallen out of a friendship! Would definitely reccommend!