Thanks so much to NetGalley & First Second Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent graphic novel, Hicks strikes again with appealing to artsy teens!

It was very personal, bittersweet at times, but very well rounded in terms of character development.

I LOVED all the animation references and the details--also the sly "future" jokes such as a Frozen poster in the background when it didn't release until 14 years later. Hicks did a great job in fleshing out the world with little bits of animation history peppered throughout which I greatly appreciated as an animation fan.

I like how each of the kids use their strengths and weaknesses and work together. It was a very heartwarming message.

I also liked that there's always Those Guys that think they're better than everyone else in an art class and they never got a redemption or explanation for their behavior. Sometimes you just run into Those Guys in real life and have to ignore them!

Also side note, I will be recommending this title along with Drawn That Way by Elissa Sussman because they both talk about the animation industry and its promises and pitfalls. An excellent pairing for any teens interested in the animation industry--whether it'd be a personal interest or career interest.

Twin sisters Ash and Sloane are heading to a summer program for animation, which they have been obsessed with since they were young. Ash is super enthusiastic about the work, but finds it harder than expected. She craves approval from her teacher, who worked on one of her favorite movies, but doesn't recognize how hard she's working. Sloane isn't struggling with the work as much, but isn't enjoying the course as much as she thought she would. Is loving art enough to pursue a career in it? Trying to figure out who you are and want you want to do is a daunting task that I think a lot of people will relate to. I definitely think this book should be ordered for middle-grade graphic novel fans.

Faith Erin Hicks is back with another gem! I'll always pick up the latest by Faith due to her stellar art style alone. I appreciate how consistent her style is between graphic novels, but with a slight upgrade every time. All of the characters feel unique but still so distinctly her. Inbetweens follows teen twins who enroll in an animation summer program of their dreams. It explores how the reality of living your dreams can be so vastly different and nuanced from what you've anticipated, as well as how difficult those unexpected complications can be to process. I did also really appreciate the slow realization of disappointment when your heroes do not live up to your expectations, that they're flawed and sometimes terrible people even though they make work you admire. Ultimately, as all Faith Erin Hicks graphic novels do, this one left me feeling super hopeful and cozy.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review.

This was a cute story about twins who like to draw. Along the way though they learn about themselves and what they really want out of their dreams or art.

This book also taught you that you don't need a specific person's validation to do something you love and be good at it.

I also really liked the art style of this book, it's something I look for when picking out graphic novels. Definitely check this one out.

As an artist, for most of my life I've struggled with what exactly I want to do with my art career-wise, and only just recently realized I want to make graphic novels, this book really hit home in the best way!

The characters were very well written and the art was super cute!! I would have liked to see more of a reason behind Mr Frye being mean to Nisha and Ash beyond "he's a jerk" and I would have liked to explore the reason for the majority of students being male. It was clearly about the fact that they're women, but I still think it would have been good to delve further into that.

I loved seeing references to some of my favorite animated films, like pretty much every Studio Ghibli film, The Secret of Nimh, and more!

I think this is a must read for all artists, and anyone who is struggling with what they want to do with their life!

Faith Erin Hicks nails it again! I love her art style, and the story is well-paced and I think very relatable to anyone, kid or adult, who has artistic dreams. This is a great graphic novel to add to a children's collection, and could be a good step up for someone who's read all the Babysitters Club books and still wants to read a more realistic graphic novel.

This is one the first times when I realize I'm no longer in the age demographic for the book I'm reading haha. Inbetweens is a very simple story that hits all the marks to tell you exactly what it is about: the trials and tribulations of being a young artist. However, it over-explains this message so many times just in case you miss it -- as it is spoken by so many characters, making them seem more like soapboxes rather than actual characters (Sloane takes the biggest hit, interestingly enough).

Because while I got the basic personalities from the cast, they never step out of their bubble (Ash, technically yes with her development but I found Nisha to be more interesting overall but we barely get anything from her.) It is hard for me to put into words, but the story really are focused on the beauty of animation (Studio Ghibli and Disney mainly, with only one standout) and why its important but doesn't spend time for is to care about its characters.

The art is wonderful as usual. But the plot felt thin to me. As if we needed more in between.

This graphic novel was such a breath of fresh air and a fun ride! I absolutely loved all of the sister dynamics in this book. The illustrations here are stunning. The Disney references were so much fun throughout the book. I adored seeing everything come together at the end!

An excellent graphic novel about twin sisters, and their classmates, realizing that they don’t have to decide in 8th grade what exactly they want to do and that long held dreams can change. Ash Sloane commit to a summer long animation camp – it’s been their dream! But they quickly realize it’s hard work, one of the teacher’s is a misogynist, and their own dreams have diverged. They make new friends and learn a lot about animation (and you will too!). A great book I can’t wait to get into the hands of my art loving students.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for this DRC.
#Inbetweens #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley, First Second Books, and Hicks for the e-ARC of Inbetweens.

I really enjoy books for middle grade students that focus on a niche career, but is wildly informative and supports students' understanding of what to do in the face of adversity.

Ash and Sloane, twin sisters, attend a prestigious and rigorous animation course at the local university. This summer course is taught by none other than the twins' heroes: professionals in the field. When one of the *star professors* says some offhanded and disparaging advice, I thought that the twins handled it well and showed a human response - becoming upset, confronting it quietly, and just letting it slide. Showing students that not everything has to end in confrontation is important, too. Handling these situations may happen, and their response is natural if that's how they wish to process.

I appreciated how this novel also showed various styles of animation, the process, history of female animators, and a varying demographics of people within the animation class and their families.

I do wish there was a bit more depth to the discrimination piece, especially with middle grade readers to emphasize the wrongness, but at the same time...it's thought provoking. Overall, I enjoyed the novel!

I think all young artists should read this. It’s about teen twins who take a summer course in animation and learn to understand what they love about their own art. I lived that they questioned their talent like so many young artists but were able to connect with their own art the best they could by the end.

Thank you to Faith Erin Hicks, First Second Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!

four and a half stars.
so so so good!
i loved the plot, and how some of the drawing bits were shown. it was fun to have them be sisters and have one of the film teachers be kinda mean. i wish they had faced him though, and told him he was mean directly. i also wish that we could have seen some of the other teachers lessons. and the plot with one of the teachers discriminating against one of the students felt unfinished. that plot could have gone so many good places, but it just ended.
but the drawings were beautiful and i just loved it in general. so good!

I’ve been a fan of Faith Erin Hicks since her webcomic days, and this book is another reminder of why her storytelling resonates with me. It beautifully captures the bittersweet reality of growing up and growing apart not just from your best friend, but from your twin, the person who’s been by your side your whole life. The story balances humor and heartache as it follows both sisters navigating the challenges of creativity, self-doubt, and new relationships. I especially appreciated the way it tackled the sometimes-painful moment of meeting your heroes and realizing they’re not quite who you imagined. It’s a heartfelt, honest exploration of art, ambition, and the tricky process of finding your own path.

"Inbetweens" by Faith Erin Hicks is a middle grade graphic novel about twin sisters, Sloane and Ash, who attend a summer animation day camp for middle schoolers at a local college. Classes are taught by animators including one very successful animator who Ash idolizes. Sloane is wrestling with whether or not she actually wants to pursue animation, while not wanting to disappoint her sister, and meanwhile, Ash is dealing with feeling like she isn't good enough after her idol dismisses her work. A worthwhile story with a lot of emotional growth that covers important topics. I loved the 80s and 90s animation easter eggs that were thrown in ("the Black Cauldron" and "Secret of NIMH" being two of them). A must-buy for middle grade graphic novel collections.

4.5⭐️; From the moment I saw the cover, I had a feeling I’d love this book. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, and I especially enjoyed the moments where the characters broke out of their panels—it made the visuals feel dynamic and alive. The story itself was equally engaging. Even though I went in knowing nothing about animation, I came away feeling surprisingly informed. The author balances teaching and storytelling really well, and I appreciated how she explored the challenges of turning a hobby into something more serious. The twin dynamic was a standout—they were opposites in many ways, but their bond felt sincere and relatable. I also really liked how the narrative brought up the reality of sexism in animation. It’s handled in a subtle but eye-opening way, challenging the assumption that a creative field is automatically inclusive. The side characters were super fun, too.

That said, I do wish the side characters had been a bit more fleshed out. With so many themes to juggle, it makes sense they didn’t evolve as much, but it’s still something I noticed. Despite that, I genuinely loved this read and will absolutely be watching for whatever the author does next. This book feels like a fresh and important addition to the shelves, and I’m excited for it to find its readers. Big thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC—it was a joy to dive into.

A Beautifully Honest Take on Creativity, Sisterhood, and Growing Up

Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks is a warm, heartfelt graphic novel that captures the joys and challenges of growing up—especially when you're figuring things out alongside someone who knows you better than anyone else: your twin.

Ash and Sloane’s journey to animation summer camp is both exciting and unexpectedly difficult, which is what makes this story so compelling. I loved the meta layer of two young artists going to art camp, struggling with expectations, identity, and creative confidence. Even though they’ve always shared art as a core part of their bond, camp challenges their connection as they discover how differently they each relate to their work, friendships, and ambition.

Hicks doesn’t shy away from showing the complexities of that experience—there’s a disillusioning instructor who was once an inspiration, moments of self-doubt, and the slow realization that loving something doesn’t guarantee ease or success. But there’s so much heart in the way the girls grow, not just apart but eventually toward a new understanding of each other.

I also appreciated how the story includes real references like Kiki’s Delivery Service—it added a grounded, personal touch that fans of animation will love. Seeing each twin forge their own path while learning from others around them made the whole narrative feel rich and layered.

This is a thoughtful, emotionally resonant book about art, identity, and sisterhood. Hicks’s storytelling is as strong as ever, and her art beautifully complements the emotional beats of the story. Highly recommend for readers who love coming-of-age stories with depth, creativity, and heart.

Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks follows two twin sisters during a summer at Animation Camp. Ash, in particular, is very excited to be mentored by the creator of her favorite animated movie (the movie is fictional but is modeled after The Iron Giant). The characters soon learn that it's not always worth it to meet your heroes, as their teacher seems to favor male students and discount the work of female students. I enjoyed the supporting characters and how they pooled their strengths for their final project.

This book could have easily ended with a heavy-handed "we showed him and he learned his lesson" scene, but Hicks is a stronger writer than that. No spoilers, but I really appreciated how the story ended.

One of my biggest pet peeves is books set in the 90s for no reason, but Inbetweens earns it by showing video rentals and a world in which teen animation fanatics might not have heard of anime or Studio Ghibli. (Wouldn't buy that in a modern setting.)

A must-buy for my school library.

Completely adored this graphic novel featuring twin sisters heading to an animation summer camp that's a little meta which I liked. The girls have found separate ways of expressing themselves though they've always kept their art as a connection so its tested when they get to this camp and struggle in different ways: there's a misogynist instructor who they looked up to before coming to camp, their approaches to getting the work done and feeling accomplished, and how they approach friendships.

I was appreciative of the ways the girls befriended different people at the camp and learned from them and worked through their personal (and professional goals). It was also adorable to incorporate real works such as Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli movies (Kiki's Delivery Service in particular which is one of my favorites).

The lessons are in how the girls navigate their situations and it provides a guidebook for readers to be reflective about their own approaches. Hicks is a rich creator and this highlights her talents.

In-betweens is a moving portrait of growing apart, growing up, and growing into your own art.

The title Inbetweens does heavy lifting, and rightly so. The title—cleverly borrowed from the animation role of “in-betweeners,” those who animate the moments between keyframes—serves as a metaphor for the emotional terrain the book traverses: the liminal spaces between recognition and invisibility, independence and partnership, past and future.

With expressive artwork and pointed dialogue, Hicks captures both the romance and the rot of an era that idolized animation but buried its female architects. Hicks’ experience as both storyteller and illustrator shines in how she frames each moment - beautifully and intricately.

A must read!

This was a sweet story. The sisters each had their journey. This was also an example of you don't always want to meet people that you look up to because they can disappoint. I liked the artwork and comic style.