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QUINNELOPE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING MOON

From the Quinnelope series , Vol. 2

Outrageously adorable, out-of-this world entertainment.

Quinnelope is ready to say “Goodnight, Moon,” but the moon has left her orbit and disappeared!

Quinnelope, “a pink blob in a funky skirt with the coolest crown in town,” can’t sleep without the moon. At first, she enjoys the extra hours of sunlight by playing and snacking—alone, since her friends are snoozing. But after hours pass and the moon never rises, she sounds the Glitter Bomb Alarm. The brightly colored illustrations bounce between full pages, panels, insets, and bubbles to capture the chaotic energy as Quinnelope (who’s the offspring of a jelly bean and a curtain) and her friends Star (a yellow star) and Bub (a panda butler) consider a world without the moon—very serious stuff! Concerned, Quinnelope and friends decide to launch an epic interstellar search. They borrow purple goldfish Pish’s Space RV for their lunar search. Fueled by caffeinated grape soda, Quinnelope drives. Their search is slowed by space traffic and includes planetary stops to fuel up and hunt down leads from spiky blokes and Glitterheads, among others. Their final stop: a black hole! Bathroom humor, puns, absurdities, and some interesting facts keep the interest level high, and the dyslexia-friendly font enhances the accessibility.

Outrageously adorable, out-of-this world entertainment. (drawing instructions) (Graphic science fiction. 8-12)

Pub Date: June 11, 2024

ISBN: 9781637154397

Page Count: 272

Publisher: Oni Press

Review Posted Online: April 5, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2024

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THE MYSTERY OF THE MOON TOWER

From the Pathfinders Society series , Vol. 1

Like the pathfinders, readers will be crying, “Plus Ultra!” and hoping for the next adventure.

Five intrepid, young pathfinders explore the environmentally volatile Windrose Valley in search of a fabled treasure.

Deep in Windrose Valley awaits an adventurous summer at Camp Pathfinder, founded by a renowned, eccentric pioneer named Henry Merriweather. Merriweather’s fixation on finding the legendary Windrose treasure serves as a grand catalyst for the campers’ quest. The eclectic group of campers—newcomer Kyle, history buff Beth, zany magician-in-training Harry, cheerleader/math queen Vic, and tinkerer Nate—sets off, running all over town to find Merriweather’s baroque tile markers. Eventually, their efforts lead them to the Merriweather Estate, where the campers slowly uncover the mystery behind the Moon Tower catastrophe. Shortly after the bizarre incident, Merriweather disappeared, and the town’s fortunes failed. As the adolescent pathfinders near the trail toward the Moon Tower and inch ever closer to the treasure, they learn more about the mythical Merriweather and his infamous obsession. Sedita, Seraydarian, and Hamaker’s series debut zips along nicely, mixing cryptic teases with affable characters. Though the quieter moments rarely make much of an impact, the authors’ exposition-heavy worldbuilding incites enthusiasm for the campers’ endeavor. The hints of magic in the snappy illustrations add another layer of allure. Featuring flashes of time slips and a racially diverse cast, this graphic novel hits all the right spots for the inevitable sequel.

Like the pathfinders, readers will be crying, “Plus Ultra!” and hoping for the next adventure. (Fantasy. 8-12)

Pub Date: April 21, 2020

ISBN: 978-0-425-29186-3

Page Count: 176

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020

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LITTLE MONARCHS

Superbly written and illustrated; keeps readers breathless and guessing until the end.

A 22nd-century picaresque with nefarious characters, chosen family, unavoidable camping, and lifesaving butterflies.

It’s 2101, and most mammals have died from sun exposure—a fate the few remaining humans suffer if they don’t live underground as Deepers. Some Deepers are friendly; others will take what they can get by any means necessary. Since Elvie’s parents departed for Michoacán, Mexico, 8 years earlier in search of more monarch butterflies, ran into danger, and have not returned, 10-year-old Black science whiz Elvie has been cared for by her guardian, Flora, a White scientist. Flora and Elvie hope to make a vaccine that enables humans to tolerate sunlight. They struggle to find food, and Flora’s awful cooking sometimes makes their foraged food inedible. Elvie’s journals, which contain her homework, science notes, and sketches, trace their journey—including tracking their latitude and longitude daily—as they follow the amazing migration path of the monarchs, whose young have the ingredient necessary for making both the sun sickness antidote and the vaccine. The eclecticism of Case’s lively visuals in this riveting graphic novel will keep readers both enthralled and learning. The book teaches some astronomy, botany, biology, entomology, animal science, knot tying, and more. Elvie’s special relationship with Flora, along with her quick wit, scientific knowledge, and careful observation skills, makes her a character worth following. Yet she’s all kid—and one who badly wants to be reunited with her parents.

Superbly written and illustrated; keeps readers breathless and guessing until the end. (author's note) (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

Pub Date: April 5, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-8234-4260-7

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Margaret Ferguson/Holiday House

Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2022

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