Review: On Guard - Cassidy Wasserman

Review: On Guard - Cassidy Wasserman - June 2025

Middle school – or intermediate as we call it here in New Zealand – can feel like a battlefield. Those years are filled with shifting friendships, family upheavals, and trying to figure out where you belong. This heartfelt and sharp-witted graphic novel captures all of that through the eyes of Grace, a girl who’s just trying to find her footing.

Grace is not looking forward to the new school year. Her best friend Ava has dropped her for the popular crowd , leaving her to face the playground politics alone. On top of that, things at home aren’t much better – her parents’ divorce has left a deep crack, and Grace and her mum can’t seem to see eye to eye. 

But then, Grace stumbles across something unexpected: the school’s fencing club. She watches the students moving with confidence, their blades clashing like a dance of strength and precision. There’s something magnetic about it – the calm focus, the discipline, the promise of belonging. At first, Grace isn’t sure she’s good enough. Ava was always the talented one, and doubt has a way of creeping in when you’re already feeling lost. Yet the draw of fencing, with its promise of a fresh start and new friendships, proves too strong to ignore.

This debut graphic novel beautifully balances humour, heart, and the raw honesty of growing up. Grace’s struggles will feel familiar to anyone who has ever faced the loneliness of losing a friend or the uncertainty of navigating family change. The fencing angle adds a unique twist – a reminder that sometimes the things we least expect can become the key to finding our place in the world.

What I loved most is how real Grace feels. She’s flawed, funny, anxious, and brave in ways she doesn’t always realise. Watching her pick up a foil (yes, that’s the “sword”!) and slowly build confidence made me cheer for her every step of the way.

If you enjoy stories about friendship, family, and finding yourself, this one will warm your heart. It’s a reminder that sometimes we all need to “suit up,” face the battles of life head-on, and trust that along the way, we’ll discover where we truly belong.

On guard? Ready? Fence! Grace’s journey is one worth following.


Amazon: https://amzn.to/4m48hA2