What detective wouldn’t benefit from being a fly on the wall? Well, Joey Fly, a cool Sam Spade–esque private eye clad in trench coat and fedora, is just that insect. After hiring the surly Sammy Stingtail, a bumbling scorpion who’s all thumbs—er, make that tail—he finds a case knocking at their door. Delilah, a beautiful butterfly, believes that her best friend, a ladybug named Gloria, has stolen her diamond pencil box. As the two gumshoes set out to crack the case, they encounter an imaginative cadre of insect witnesses. Joey Fly tries his best to be the suave sleuth, but is often comically kept on his toes by his hot-tempered young assistant. This playful pun-a-minute comic-book mystery is sure to charm. Numberman provides detailed backgrounds set in cool blues and warm sepia tones to create a visually engaging landscape smacking of noir-lite. Included at the end is a list of items that young detectives must then page back through the art to find. An auspicious series kick-off. (Graphic novel. 7 & up)
Pub Date: April 14, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8242-5
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2009
Absorbing intrigue with a cliffhanger ending.
Through lying by omission, Weatherby earns a scholarship to an elite school, where she’s ready to use her position for the greater good.
The Boston School is proud of its sailing team. After Weatherby Walker wins a district regatta, beating Jack Hunt, who comes from one of the Boston School’s favored families, she’s offered a scholarship on the condition that she sail for the school. The only problem is, Weatherby accidentally used illegal sails that offered her an advantage. She decides not to admit her mistake; she’s desperate to attend Boston, her late, estranged father’s alma mater—especially since someone recently anonymously mailed her father’s old school journal to her. This is just the start of the mysteries and revelations to come, including ones that lay bare her family’s history and connections and deceptions by powerful people, all of which threaten ecological disaster. Everyone’s lying about something—and some of the lies are deadly. Last Heir, the Boston School’s elite secret society, seems designed to support corruption, indoctrinating generations of students and making them complicit. The chapters alternate between Weatherby’s and Jack’s perspectives; they’re both sympathetic characters from whom there’s much to learn about friendship and trust. This first entry in a new series sets up a solid premise, with white leads Weatherby and Jack and their somewhat racially diverse schoolmates confronting a powerful system. What happens next is left to be revealed in the sequel.
Absorbing intrigue with a cliffhanger ending. (Mystery. 9-13)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781338859218
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
At once a silly, sweet escapade and a dramatic tale of self-discovery in one’s own powers.
A boy inexplicably sprouts a unicorn horn and performs fantastic feats for the sake of friendship.
Brian Reyes initially tries to ignore the horn and the taunts of "Unicorn Boy." But he ponders the protrusion’s potential when a muffin starts talking to him and he realizes he can soar through the air; he also instantly grows a pink-purple mane. His abilities are brought to bear when his best friend, Avery Henson, is sucked into a backyard vortex. Avery has always been shy Brian’s protector, but now Brian must summon his courage and rescue his friend. He bravely follows, his self-confidence growing as he descends ever deeper into an underworld occupied by mythical characters and talking cats. Will Unicorn Boy be able to face off against the cruel, controlling Skull-King? This promising series starter benefits from Roman’s cartooning talents. His streamlined, bold, and bright artwork immerses readers in Brian’s world. The story zigzags between characters and mini-challenges, providing thrills even as Brian’s quest and Avery’s fate seem dire. Gentle throughlines emphasize the value of devoted friendship and the joy of understanding oneself through storytelling; Unicorn Boy’s legend is literally written in a magical book he carries as he delves deeper into his own story. Brian is olive-skinned and cued Latine; Avery presents white and is genderfluid.
At once a silly, sweet escapade and a dramatic tale of self-discovery in one’s own powers. (Graphic fantasy. 8-13)Pub Date: March 12, 2024
ISBN: 9781250830265
Page Count: 208
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: Dec. 16, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2024
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