Drawn That Way

Hayley is thrilled to be accepted to a prestigious summer program for aspiring teen animators. But then only boys are chosen to direct the participants’ short films, and that might only scratch the surface of the boys’ club culture within the program. The multiple forms of sexism Hayley experiences throughout are so real, they were painful to read (in the best, truest way), as I reflected on my own experiences with misogynistic gatekeeping—but the community and solidarity that develop throughout this fantastic novel are very satisfying. 

Okay, animation enthusiasts, this contemporary look at a competitive animation training program starring Jewish protagonist Hayley Saffitz is for you. It’s fast-paced, funny, and romantic, but also deals with a lot of current issues facing young female and queer identifying creators. It’s modern, fresh, and gives a neat, albeit fictitious, look at the ways that studios are run today from the perspective of an optimistic, defiant character.