Operatic follows Charlie through the final days of middle school, where friendships, first crushes, and a looming music assignment all feel equally high-stakes. Her class is asked to find the perfect song—something that speaks to who they are—but Charlie can’t stop thinking about Emile, or worrying about Luka, who hasn’t shown up to school in weeks. Everything shifts when the class studies opera and Charlie discovers the voice of Maria Callas. Drawn to Maria’s fierce emotion and the way she seemed to live every note, Charlie begins to wonder what it would feel like to express herself with that kind of honesty. As she navigates the tangled, tender world of middle school, Maria’s story becomes a guide, nudging her toward courage, connection, and her own true tune. A heartfelt graphic novel by award-winning author Kyo Maclear. Ages 10–14Paperback
