Graphic Novel Review: FILM NERDS uses a movie

Film Nerds

Cartoonist:Sofia Warren

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers – Putnam

Publication Date: September 2026

If you were to tell me that an all-ages, coming-of-age graphic novel was going to be one of my favorite things I’ve read in 2026, I wouldn’t believe you. Not to say that books of that nature are bad. In fact, some of the best comics of the past few years fall under this category, but it’s just not something that I personally seek out in my own reading habits. So, color me shocked whenFilm Nerdsabsolutely knocked me on my butt.

Written and drawn by cartoonist Sofia Warren,Film Nerdsfollows and is told from the POV of Ami (pronounced “Ah-mee”) as she is navigating through one of the toughest transitional periods of adolescence — middle school.

The title stems from Ami and her relationship with her best friend Ivy, who first bonded over their matching shirts and love of Steven Spielberg’sE.T. The Extra Terrestrialwhich inspired them to make their own sci-fi epic. Ami and Ivy are complete opposites personality wise but that doesn’t stop them from being lifers. Where Ivy is the fun life of the party, Ami is extremely introverted but completely comes out of her shell when she’s making movies. Middle school is tough for Ami and she escapes into her imagination to avoid confronting the real world. She’s in a tough transitional period of growing up, trying to fit in, making new friends, friendship problems, and thinking the worst of every situation. 

The book is split up into 12 chapters, and although its title isFilm Nerds, it really isn’t about making movies necessarily. That focus is moreso a tool. Each chapter ends with a wonderfully depicted sequence from the movie that parallels Ami and Ivy’s situation. It’s a simple creative device but it’s done so well.

The craft generally is really great here. I love Sofia Warren’s voice. There’s a great balance of tone with lots of humor and heartfelt moments. I mean, some of these sequences really had me choked up. There’s a real care here to make each character feel unique. The main characters all have distinct looks, voices and personality that makes the whole thing feel lived in. 

This book really hit me on a personal level, even with it being for a much younger age demographic. For starters, I’m a massive cinephile so the title definitely caught my eye. Really though, I was just like Ami. I was a very lonely and introverted kid growing up that escaped all of that through watching movies and reading comic books.I was essentially raised on films from the 1930s-1970s from my dad introducing them to me and it was both my escape but also a

Like Ami, I wanted to be a filmmaker. I had trouble making friends, and I constantly daydreamed and even ate my school lunches in the library just like Ami does. It wasn’t until high school that I realized that no one actually cares or is judging you, and making friends isn’t that hard.

In fact, most people enjoy you for being yourself. I wish I could reach into the book and pull Ami aside to tell her that everything is okay and no one is actually judging you the way you think they are. It’s all in your head. Be yourself and do what you love. I think this book teaches that lesson so well and can be very beneficial for younger kids to read on top of it being just great in general. 

I really believe that this is one of the best comics of 2026, really for any age demographic. Don’t overlook this lovely gem.

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