Maybe an Artist is a very easy to read graphic novel categorized as young adult but very suitable for middle grade readers. This memoir is about Liz Montague and her journey to becoming an artist, something she never thought was realistic or attainable. 

Organized by periods of her life (elementary, middle, high school, and then college and an afterword), we learn about various parts of Liz's life- not just her creative side. I think this makes the story so relatable for young people because we are never just one thing, but we often feel pressured to be. Liz also writes about being one of very few Black people in a semi-rural area and the pressures of being compared to her two older siblings. 

As an adult, the icing on the cake for this already enjoyable graphic memoir was the afterword with comics that Liz had published in the New Yorker. You should read this to find out the incredible story of how she made it there. I seriously dare you to read this book and not feel happy and even a bit inspired. 

Way to go, Liz. Thanks for sharing your story with all of us readers.