Maggie has spent a majority of her childhood summers at Camp Bellflower in Kentucky, but the summer of her 15th year is especially memorable because that’s the year Maggie falls in love. And it isn’t with one of the Slog Boys–the only three boys at the camp–it’s with one of the camp counselors, Erin. Confused and anxious about this new discovery, Maggie focuses on acquiring her Distinguished Expert certificate from the National Rifle Association. Unfortunately, her newfound accomplishments at the range cause her to bump heads with upper year, Libby.

As Maggie falls more and more in love with Erin, her new friend Bethany realizes Maggie’s secret and promises not to tell anyone. With Bethany and Maggie spending so much time together, soon rumors are flying around that they’re lesbians. In addition to the rumors, Maggie’s other friend Sharon feels left out because Maggie doesn’t trust her with her secret. Meanwhile, Maggie and Erin have several moments filled with romantic tension, but neither dares act on their desires for fear of being found out. Alas, one of the other camp counselors finds out about their feelings and they are further discouraged from making any move. In the background of their desire is a constant battle between their desire and the religious ideals of the camp. Maggie is even offered incentives not to let her newfound sexuality interfere with the other girl’s safety and freedom.

          Maggie Thrash’s graphic memoir grapples with serious issues of sexuality, bullying, and camaraderie, as well as learning to stick up for yourself and the heartbreak of first love. Honor Girl is an entertaining and immersing read fraught with great hopes and disappointment.

© 2016 Catia Cunha

Catia Cunha has a BA in Theater Arts and English from Mount Holyoke College. She won Young Playwrights Inc.’s 2013 National Playwriting Competition where her short play “Legs” was presented as a staged reading at the Lucille Lortel Theatre at the culmination of the Conference. In the spring of 2013 she produced and acted in her first full-length play, ____space, which was presented at Mount Holyoke. Catia’s senior project, Disinsemination, a play about feminist lesbians and aliens, was presented as a staged reading at Smith College and Mount Holyoke in Fall 2013. Mount Holyoke’s Rooke Theatre produced it in March 2014. In October 2014 Catia participated in the Grex Group’s Insomniacs 24-hour play festival. She is currently working on a play about sea monsters in the subway.