A debut graphic novel from Ignatz Award-winning and nationally syndicated cartoonist, Bianca Xunise.

“Stole my heart from the first page to the last. Endlessly funny and sincere.” –Tillie Walden, Eisner & Ignatz Award-winning cartoonist

When life gives you guitars, smash them!

School is out for summer and Ariel Grace Jones is determined to make it one for the books! Together with their bestie bandmates, Michele and Gael, Ariel believes they’re destined to break into the music industry and out of Chicago’s Southside by singing lead in their garage punk band, Baby Hares.

But before Baby Hares can officially get into the groove, the realities of post grad life start to weigh on this crew of misfits. Ari begins to worry that it’s time to pull the plug on their dreams of making it big.

Just when all hope feels lost, a fellow punk and local icon takes an interest in their talent. It seems like he might be the only one Ariel can rely on as frustrations between bandmates reach at an all-time high.

Punk Rock Karaokeis a coming-of-age tale that draws upon the explosive joy of the underground scene, while raising questions about authenticity, the importance of community and what it means to succeed on your own terms.

Bianca Xunise is a cartoonist based out of Chicago, Illinois. Their work primarily focuses on the plight, joy, and daily struggles of misfits within the black community. In 2017 Xunise earned an Ignatz for Promising New Talent for their comicSay Her Name,an autobiographical story of police brutality and social justice. In 2020 Xunise earned their second Ignatz for their contribution toBe Gay, Do Comicspublished by IDW. Xunise has collaborated withVogue,The Washington Post,The Nib, andBeliever Magazine. They are also a contributor to the bookHow We Fight Supremacy: A Field Guide to Black Resistancealong with Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tarana Burk, and Harry Belafonte. Bianca became the first nationally syndicated non-binary cartoonist when they joined the comic stripSix Chixin 2020 as their first black creator.

• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Publish Date: April 23, 2024
• Pages: 256
• Dimensions: 0.0 X 0.0 X 0.0 inches | 0.0 pounds
• Language: English
• Type: Paperback
• EAN/UPC: 9780593464526
• BISAC Categories: Comics & Graphic Novels – Coming of Age, Comics & Graphic Novels – LGBT, Comics & Graphic Novels – Romance