Dazzling.
Shipwrecks and secrets abound in this sophomore graphic offering.
Picking up where predecessor The Unsinkable Walker Bean (2010) left off after a fantastic battle at sea, bespectacled Walker Bean and his friends are marooned on a mysterious and seemingly deserted island but soon surmise they might not be alone. Before long, Walker and his friends—music-loving Shiv and headstrong Genoa—learn that the island has a dark history surrounding an avaricious aristocrat. As they encounter shadowy spirit animals and treacherous foes, it becomes apparent that Genoa is integral to the mystery. Will they be able to solve the riddle of the island and set right the wrongs of the past? Renier’s plotting is complex; his worldbuilding is intricate and immersive, requiring careful reading. Stunning illustrations should easily compel young eyes to linger over the many tidy and small panels juxtaposed against alluring larger spreads. While Walker is intrinsic to the action, gal pal Genoa shares equal importance even though her name’s not on the marquee. Enough backstory is provided for this to serve as a fine jumping-in point for readers unfamiliar with Book 1—but expect them to demand it after. Walker and Genoa present white; many secondary actors, including Shiv, seem to be characters of color.
Dazzling. (Graphic adventure. 7-12)Pub Date: Oct. 23, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-59643-505-6
Page Count: 288
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2018
Kids who already dig the series will probably like this one.
Jack Sullivan and his friends battle interdimensional evil in a Cthulhu-inspired Christmas special.
Readers coming to the series midstream can breathe easy. Jack gives them a “real-deal recap” right away, explaining all about the Monster Apocalypse, the zombie plague, and the possibility of other human survivors holed up in the Statue of Liberty. This new installment includes sledding disasters, the gang’s attempt to introduce monsters to the wonders of Christmas, and a human girl who always sympathized with villains attempting to unleash unspeakable horrors on Earth. There are several appeal factors for readers who need some pizzazz with their plot; monsterrific illustrations that take the place of description or exposition, liberal use of italics and ALL CAPS, up-to-the-second pop-culture references, and some tame gross-out humor. The cast is racially diverse according to the illustrations; Jack and Dirk look white, Quint appears black, and June, who “knows Spanish, because her parents spoke it at home,” is implied Latina. However, the Christmas-centered plot and the casual usage of “lame” as an insult may prevent some readers from connecting with the story. A few moral lessons about the importance of friendship are scattered throughout, but depth and nuanced characterization come across as halfhearted gestures that are of secondary importance compared to monsters, weapons, and putatively awesome adventures.
Kids who already dig the series will probably like this one. (Horror. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-4252-9208-2
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: July 23, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A worthwhile read, especially for kids with grand aspirations of their own.
Former NFL player Crews draws inspiration from his early years for this graphic novel about a Black boy attending a new school in a different neighborhood.
Terry, who dreams of moving out of his working-class neighborhood and making it big, is excited for his first day at the prestigious Rock City Academy, where he’ll be able to pursue his passion for art (which he balances with a love of sports). At first, Terry loves the school, but a week later, he feels out of place and begins to have doubts, though the chance to participate in an upcoming talent show buoys him. Rick, a popular student, offers to let Terry join his team for the show, but first Terry must bully Xander, another student. Terry does, but he instantly has regrets, and eventually he, Xander, and Terry’s class guide, Rani, form their own team for the talent show. Though the three are different, as they work together, they become closer. But when Terry’s grades begin to suffer, his mother wants him to stop working on the show. However, with the support of friends and family, Terry finds a solution. This story is thematically similar to Jerry Craft’s New Kid (2019) but is simpler and presented with less polish. Still, the friendships and family interactions are realistic, and the colorful drawings pair well with a story where art is a major component. Rani and Rick are brown-skinned, Xander presents White, and characters in both Terry’s school and neighborhood are diverse.
A worthwhile read, especially for kids with grand aspirations of their own. (Graphic novel. 8-12)Pub Date: Nov. 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-49998-9
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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