TRESPASSERS

Two unlikely friends intend to figure out what really happened at a mysterious mansion.

Gabby is looking forward to her family’s annual vacation at their lakeside cabin and fully intends to spend all her time reading mysteries. However, this year brings change once she meets her new neighbor Paige. Tough-girl Paige seems like trouble from the start, with her nonchalant attitude and a self-proclaimed shoplifting habit. Thrown together by proximity and parental prodding, the girls forge a tenuous friendship when they begin to speculate about what happened at a nearby abandoned mansion and decide together to write the story of its wealthy inhabitants. As the girls’ joint fiction becomes more elaborate, they decide to seek out the truth and break into the house to search for clues. Before long, their combined conjecture takes on a life of its own, challenging the girls’ perception not only of the world around them, but also of each other. Bard’s debut graphic offering accessibly explores interpersonal relations among both families and friends, urging readers to not always believe first impressions; her conclusions are not shocking but are ultimately satisfying in their predictability. Cleanly styled, full-color illustrations bring her character-driven tale to life; expect instant comparisons to fan-favorites Raina Telgemeier and Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm. Gabby and Paige present white, as does the majority of the cast.

A comfort read, just right for a warm summer day.