Debut graphic novelist Claire Lordon’s medical misfortunes may be one in a million in this relatable memoir,
but so is her determination, grit, and passion to beat the odds and reclaim her life.

"One in a Million" is a graphic memoir where Claire Lordon courageously navigates a mysterious medical journey as a teen. Faced with chronic illness and surgeries, she draws strength from family, friends, and her art. This visually striking narrative, rooted in high school diaries and drawings, seamlessly intertwines the raw realities of medical and mental trauma with the universal struggles of adolescence. Claire's story is an informative and relatable book about facing life's challenges with honesty and courage.

Editorial Reviews

Refreshingly pushing back against tropes that often appear in these types of stories, Claire is not required to be heroic in the face of her declining health or to find meaning in it; she expresses all the frustration of a typical high school student. . . . The visual format is the ideal medium for depicting her emotional state: Simple, expressive character designs and backgrounds in white and shades of purple help soften even intense situations. . . . Informative and full of relatable honesty.
—Kirkus Reviews

This affecting graphic memoir by Lordon (Lorenzo, the Pizza-Loving Lobster), pulled from her adolescent diary entries, organically conveys the impact of a mysterious chronic illness on her life as a white teen living in Utah... The purple-gray hues of the overarching narrative are punctuated by metaphorical b&w portrayals of her symptoms... Though Lordon’s health concerns aren’t resolved as easily as she initially hoped, depictions of her experience managing her illness are filled with mirth and positivity as she finds solace in her art and friendships, making this a resonant story of resilience.
—Publishers Weekly

In this graphic novel memoir, author Claire Lordon shares the story of her health battle during her junior and senior years of high school. . . . serves to connect readers to the despair and sadness that Lordon felt while going through her medical journey.
—School Library Connection

Book Blurbs

“A grueling and heartfelt examination of chronic illness. Claire Lordon is indefatigable, and her story inspires strength in the face of terrible odds.”
—Maggie Thrash, author of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize nominee Honor Girl

“Honest, straightforward, heartbreaking at times, but ultimately life-affirming, One in a Million is a book that will provide a light in the darkness for young people who suffer from physical and mental health issues. And any teenagers who read it will come away with a greater understanding of what some of their peers might be going through.”
—Matt Tavares, New York Times best-selling author of Dasher and the graphic novel Hoops
  
“The confusion and desperation that come from Lordon’s experience living with a rare illness are palpable—teens and young adults who are going through similarly difficult events will find solace in One in a Million.”
—Deb JJ Lee, creator of In Limbo