Slip by Marika McCoola is a sorrowful but beautiful graphic novel about dealing with feelings of betrayal or abandonment and moving forward in life. The book includes topics of suicide and might make some readers uncomfortable. (If you or someone you know is difficult spot, do not be afraid or embarrassed to contact 988 or go to their website.)

Jade is in her room drawing when she receives a call from her best friend, Phoebe. They are going to go out later today. “I’m in the hospital.” We find out that Phoebe had attempted suicide and needed to stay in the hospital for a few weeks. Jade is horrified and concerned for her friend. She tries to ask Phoebe questions, confused about why she would do something like this. Phoebe was just being terse with Jade and handed the phone over to her mother, who didn’t explain the situation.

A few weeks later, Jade is going to this art intensive for a month. She’s still reasonably on edge about leaving her phone at home in case Phoebe might call, but her mom assures her that she will tell her. Jade’s mother tells Jade that Phoebe will be safe and that this camp isn’t about her, and that Jade should focus on herself. 

When Jade arrives at the Art Farm, she is amazed by the tools and clay kilns, but one kiln in particular stands out to her: the wood kiln. Wood kilns offer more of an artistic feel to your artwork. Jade has always wanted to use one, and if her piece is chosen, it can go in. Jade is quick to get to work, but is soon interrupted by a man who we find out is her mentor, James. He tells Jade how to improve the piece she was working on and gives her a packet that gives her the rules and what each person must achieve. Realizing she is doing everything wrong, Jade steps out for a breather.

While drawing ideas for her piece in her notepad, Jade thinks of Phoebe and begins to draw her. Upset that she can not bring Phoebe here, she lights the paper on fire and throws it on the ground. This causes the drawings to come to life in the fire as a flashback of herself and Phoebe. The flashback shows Phoebe finding the Art Farm for Jade, and here it’s shown that Phoebe enjoys making music. Jade was skeptical about leaving Phoebe, but then the flashback changes with Phoebe turning into a snake and saying that  Jade has to leave her. Jade then stomps on the fire, knowing that’s not what Phoebe told her. Jade, shocked and confused, believes that she’s hallucinating and, to distract herself, goes to explore the farm. She is stunned by a room full of beautiful flowers on the ceiling. A girl, who we learn is named Mary, was putting them up. They talk about the farm and say how it’s full of possibilities. 

Slip is a very interesting book; the story keeps you reading, but isn’t too fast-paced. Personally, I liked it a lot! This was my third time completing the book. It’s a short read, and it only took me about half an hour to read. I enjoy Jade, although I wish we knew a bit more about her. Jade felt like a real person to me, although the book was short, her life wasn’t rushed to a ‘happy ending’ but the book instead had a bittersweet one with Jade realizing that Phoebe’s decision is not her fault. Jade learns that she can still live her life and still care about Phoebe without constantly worrying about her.