Graphic novel ‘Weirdo’ sparks teen mental health conversations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As teen mental health challenges continue to rise, one Charlotte-based author is using storytelling to make a difference. 

Tony Weaver Jr., author of the graphic novel Weirdo, has visited over 50 schools and spoken with more than 6,000 students nationwide since his book’s release in September.

Weaver’s mission is clear: Help teens embrace their individuality and improve their mental well-being. 

“Weirdo is the nerdy kid’s instruction manual for self-love and self-confidence,” Weaver said during an interview on WCNC+. “It chronicles my personal experience, but it’s also become a tool for students to feel like they belong.”

The book has resonated deeply with young readers. At a school in Bakersfield, California, students created presentations about their favorite scenes. 

“Each student had a profoundly different situation and they identified with a different part of the book,” Weaver shared. “Seeing that those tiny details were recognized by a kid that needed it—it was just really heartwarming.”

Weaver emphasized the importance of identity and self-worth in teen development when speaking with WCNC Charlotte Anchor Jane Monreal on Live Impact News on WCNC+. 

“The things that make you weird are the things that make you powerful,” he said. “It takes courage to stand out, but at the end of that path is the person you truly are.”

For parents and educators, Weirdo also serves as a conversation starter. 

“It mirrors what it looks like to pay attention to your child’s mental health while also paying attention to your own,” Weaver explained.

As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, Weaver’s message to teens is simple but powerful: “The world needs you just the way you are.”