by Dan Santat ; illustrated by Dan Santat ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2022
A crab, a sea turtle, and a pair of cephalopods boldly go where no denizens of the deep have gone before.
A crew of intrepid marine creatures rig up an antique diving suit to explore space, the final frontier—otherwise known as San Diego.
The plot may be a messy tangle, but the art in this graphic tale is something special. Several years after the research vessel Miette went down in a storm, taking Paul Revoy’s brother, Michel, with it, the marine biologist and his orphaned niece, Sophia, are amazed when Michel’s deep-sea diving suit walks out of the ocean—piloted by a hermit crab named Sodapop for its recycled shell, with help from octopuses Antonio and Carlos and sea turtle Jobim. Ensuing events, which include a science fair, tricking a greedy theme park investor, and pulling off a rescue of captive animals ranging from baby sea turtles to a full-size orca and a colossal squid, come off as marginally linked set pieces. Still, in hilarious views of the suit disguised in human clothing amid oblivious bystanders, in panels depicting frantic scrambles and haunting deep-water scenes, and most of all in images of people and only slightly anthropomorphized marine species caught in moments of wonder, grief, sadness, comical astonishment, or fierce determination, Santat’s vividly expressive visuals are, even more than usual, riveting. The Revoys have tan skin and dark hair; human figures in background scenes are racially diverse.
A crab, a sea turtle, and a pair of cephalopods boldly go where no denizens of the deep have gone before. (production and cast notes) (Graphic fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: March 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-545-49761-9
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Graphix/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
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by Lisa Yee ; illustrated by Dan Santat
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by Annie Matthew ; developed by Kobe Bryant ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 24, 2021
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship.
A young tennis champion becomes the target of revenge.
In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen (2019), Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy’s home province and the orphanage run by her father. With her friends’ help, she is in training to defend her championship when they discover that another player, operating under the protection of High Consul Silla, is presenting herself as Legacy. She is so convincing that the real Legacy is accused of being an imitation. False Legacy has become a hero to the masses, further strengthening Silla’s hold, and it becomes imperative to uncover and defeat her. If Legacy is to win again, she must play her imposter while disguised as someone else. Winning at tennis is not just about money and fame, but resisting Silla’s plans to send more young people into brutal mines with little hope of better lives. Legacy will have to overcome her fears and find the magic that allowed her to claim victory in the past. This story, with its elements of sports, fantasy, and social consciousness that highlight tensions between the powerful and those they prey upon, successfully continues the series conceived by late basketball superstar Bryant. As before, the tennis matches are depicted with pace and spirit. Legacy and Javi have brown skin; most other characters default to White.
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-949520-19-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Granity Studios
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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by Annie Matthew ; developed by Kobe Bryant
by Wanda Coven ; illustrated by Anna Abramskaya ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024
Fun middle school antics with a dollop of light magic and considerations of loyalty.
Heidi Heckelbeck is a witch and first-year student at Broomfield Academy, a boarding school that educates magical and nonmagical kids alike.
Heidi’s an ordinary tween, concerned with clothes, friendships, crushes (currently on Nick Lee, who’s not in the School of Magic), and her tenuous relationship with Melanie, her often-mean “broommate” and acquaintance from home. She’s also excited about learning witchcraft and is pleased to receive private magic lessons from Mrs. Kettledrum. Her teacher instructs her in calming meditation techniques as a prelude to mind-reading and emergency spells. Sometimes Heidi writes spells enthusiastically but incorrectly, however, with unintended consequences. She also faces a difficult decision about revealing a big secret about new friend Isabelle. Heidi pushes the boundaries of appropriate behavior (both in the real world and the magical one) and must think hard about self-discipline. Breezy and fun, this volume will satisfy devotees who have enjoyed following this engaging character since she was in elementary school, with each entry slowly but surely moving up in complexity as Heidi grows and becomes a little more serious. Her latest adventures are delivered with the usual humorous grayscale illustrations and fonts that vary in size and style, moving the story along quickly. The volume will entice new fans, welcome reluctant readers, and please those who have been awaiting Heidi’s latest exploits. Isabelle reads Black; other central characters are cued white.
Fun middle school antics with a dollop of light magic and considerations of loyalty. (Fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781665948340
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2024
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by Wanda Coven ; illustrated by Anna Abramskaya
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by Wanda Coven ; illustrated by Anna Abramskaya
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by Wanda Coven ; illustrated by Priscilla Burris
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