MIXED SIGNALS: A Graphic Novel, Book 2 of 2: Mixed Feelings | by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin, Graphix, Oct. 6, 2026, Paperback, $14.99 (ages 8-12)
Between the pull of volleyball and drama club, a girl struggles to find where she really belongs in Mixed Signals, by Sara Amini and Shadia Amin.
What is the best part of seventh grade?
A: The cutest boy in school messages you on AIM.
B: You’ve made the volleyball team and nailed your drama club audition.
C: Your parents recognize how responsible you are and treat you like an adult.
D: SIKE! None of this turns out the way you expect it to!
Seventh grade started out strong, but now Sara is struggling… Because of her volleyball schedule, she may not be cast in the play. And due to her commitment to drama club, she could be benched during the big game. To make matters worse, her crush only seems to talk to her when he needs help in math class. And to top it off, her parents pick and choose when to treat her like a kid or a grown-up.
Sara’s finding herself caught in a strange in-between space. Is she an actress or an athlete? A crush or a calculator? An adolescent or an adult? With so many mixed signals, will Sara ever be able to find her place? —Synopsis provided by Graphix
Mixed Signals is the strong graphic novel follow-up to Sara Amini and Shadia Amin’s excellent Mixed Feelings.
Like its predecessor, Mixed Signals s a semi-autobiographical middle-grade graphic novel that touches on author Sara Amini’s experiences as a mixed-race girl. It’s the second book in a planned trilogy.
Sara made it through sixth grade, and is excited to start out seventh her status assured. But when she’s asked to join the volleyball team, it upends everything. Add in a crush who seems to be using Sara, and parents with big expectations, and it’s a recipe for disaster. Oh, and then there is the funhouse that is puberty still making life a treat.
Watching Sara work out how to balance everything is relatable on multiple levels. Readers will especially appreciate that fine line between kid and adult they have to negotiate with their parents.
Sara’s story is told through humor that hits right where it’s needed the most. The storytelling and pacing are spot on, and the illustrations are bright and inviting. The volleyball sequences are particularly dynamic.
My daughter loved Mixed Feelings and can’t wait to start Mixed Signals. It’s a series that really hits the nail on the head. I wouldn’t hesitate to hand it to any middle reader.
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