PLEASE BE MY STAR

Erika knows that people find her weird and off-putting. Instead of making friends, she finds solace in talking to herself and obsessing over actors and idols. When she starts attending a new school, her loneliness takes on a life of its own and she develops a new obsession: the cutest boy in her theater class, Christian.

For some reason, Christian is kind to her and even agrees to star in the play that she wrote for him. Erika starts to find a creative voice that might even lead to new friendship…and romance.

But the more time Erika spends with Christian, the more she wonders what he sees in a creep like her. In this reimagining of Phantom of the Opera, can Erika somehow write her way into the center of her own heartfelt love story? Or does Christian have an ending of his own in mind?

This is my debut fiction graphic novel from Scholastic/Graphix. You can get a copy now at your local or major bookstore! I hope you love my little weirdos as much as I do.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

This is Erika Early

Our lead: an awkward 17-year-old who just moved from Atlanta, Georgia. She loves watching old movies in her dark basement and obsessing over idols & actors. With no one else to talk to, she talks to herself quite a lot.

This is Christian Dominguez

Erika’s latest obsession: the cutest boy in her theater class. Christian is a 17-year-old who finds escape in comics and music. He’s always helping out his friends and family, but it’s starting to wear him down. Maybe it’s time he does something he wants to for a change.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE,

Please Be My Star is my take on the “ugly duckling” romance – like Kare Kano, Kimi ni Todoke, True Beauty, and Princess Jellyfish – told through the lens of a queer bisexual person obsessed with cute boys and dressed in the Phantom’s clothes.

My entire heart is in this story. It was truly a gift to draw Christian & Erika & their friends every day. I’ve long wanted to write a contemporary romance set in Texas, and I hope to write & draw many more offbeat romances like this in the future.

FROM BOOKLIST

This sweet romance/coming-of-age combo incorporates a great mix of cross-cultural visual homages, including nods to manga, telenovelas, and k-pop stans. Readers will appreciate the vibrant color scheme throughout and the chapter pages with dedicated song lyrics thematic to the story.

Elliott thoughtfully captures the essence of being the weird kid among weird kids and finding connection not despite but because of that quirkiness.

Read full review →

FROM KIRKUS REVIEWS

2024 BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Erika’s struggles with mental health strike an empathetic chord that will resonate with readers. The clean, inviting art features varied panel shapes and perspectives and highlights the characters’ emotional expressions.

Manga-style art animates this charming story of self-discovery.

Read full review →

Please Be My Star is also available in Polish from publisher Jaguar, translated by Jacek Żuławnik!

THE PLAYLIST

as would be curated by Erika & Christian

Pump It Up – Elvis Costello & The Attractions

Private Life – Oingo Boingo

Everyday I Write The Book – Elvis Costello & The Attractions

She’s An Angel – They Might Be Giants

Las flores – Café Tacvba

The Con – Tegan & Sara

Creep – Radiohead

你要的愛 Nǐ yào de ài – 戴佩妮 Penny Tai

Las batallas – Café Tacvba

THE CHAPTER ART

that quotes the playlist

GALLERY

art & pages from the book

SKETCHBOOK

early concepts, rough draft art, & planning sketches