"The Freddie Stories traces a year in the life of Freddie, the youngest member of the dysfunctional Mullen family. These four-panel entries-- each representing an episode in the life of Freddie-- bring to life adolescence, pimples and all. No matter what happens, it all seems to go wrong for Freddie-- he's set up as an arsonist, mercilessly teased in school, and bossed around by classmates. With consummate skill, Lynda Barry writes about the cruelty of children at this most vulnerable age when the friends they make and the paths they choose can forever change their lives" -- from publisher's web site.