A colorful, modern adventure—with dragons as a bonus.
A dragon egg sends a tween girl and her friends from one end of Hong Kong to the other, searching for answers.
Three years after her father’s unexpected death, Grace’s mother has remarried, and the two have moved to Hong Kong to live with Grace’s new stepfather, who works for a technology company in the city. Grace is prepared to enter an international school and meet new friends, but she isn’t so prepared for the egg a mysterious woman gifts her—one that quickly hatches into what is undeniably a dragon. With the help of her new friends from school, Grace needs to figure out how to take care of the dragon and keep him secret because both hired guns and dark forces are looking for him. With magical beings from both sides closing in, it becomes clear that there’s more to Grace herself than meets the eye, and the truth lies in the old stories her father and grandfather used to tell her. Featuring a multiethnic cast—Grace’s mother and stepfather are White; her father is Chinese; and her international school friends are from diverse backgrounds—the narrative dwells on the positive aspects of being mixed race. Cinematic movement between panels, quick wit, and an irresistible dragon make for a quick adventure, with setup for more to come.
A colorful, modern adventure—with dragons as a bonus. (Graphic fantasy. 9-13)Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-338-66042-5
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Graphix/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A thoughtful, humorous, community-centered exploration of identity and Buddhism.
Stories of Buddha’s past lives help a young boy “find [himself] in the moment.”
Binh and his siblings, who are of Vietnamese descent, can’t believe they’re spending the weekend at a silent meditation retreat. Binh would rather play his Game Boy so he doesn’t have to meditate and inevitably think about the bullies at school. It is only when Sister Peace tells stories about the Buddha and his past life that Binh is able to imagine himself entering a video game–inspired world and thus process his feelings of shame, isolation, and anger. With each Jataka tale, Binh’s awareness expands, and so, too, does his ability to be present for and helpful to those around him. A welcome addition to the handful of middle-grade stories featuring Buddhist protagonists, this exploration of identity and Buddhist principles will find an audience with young readers who love Raina Telgemeier but aren’t quite ready to level up to the complexity and nuance of Gene Luen Yang’s epic American Born Chinese (2006). The video game elements are compelling, although they understandably diminish as the story progresses and the protagonist’s inner life grows. Warm fall colors and luscious black lines anchor the story as it transitions among flashbacks, stories, and the present day. Filled with talking animals, the parables can be a little heavy-handed, but the witty banter between Binh and the narrator during fantasy sequences provides levity. (This review was updated for accuracy.)
A thoughtful, humorous, community-centered exploration of identity and Buddhism. (bibliography) (Graphic fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Sept. 19, 2023
ISBN: 9780759555488
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
PERSPECTIVES
A thrilling series opener.
A reluctant hero and her winged horse fight to save the empire when monstrous chimerae return to Prekalt.
Three hundred years ago, the chimerae were defeated; most people believe they aren’t coming back, but 13-year-old junior sky courier Kiesandra Torsun’s uncle is certain they will, and he has trained her and N’Rah, her skysteed, to fight with bow and arrow, triwire, and botan. When chimerae attack their town, Uncle Dugs insists that Kie bring his great-grandfather’s manual about fighting chimerae to the emperor’s commanders in Pedarth before the Skyforce sets off. Shy Kie, who has trouble expressing herself and feels more comfortable with animals than people, agrees to go, though she wonders, “Who is going to listen to a courier girl from nowhere?” She’s certain she’s not anyone special. However, Kie’s ability to mindspeak with all the skysteeds, not just her own, indicates that she is the Nexara, or connector between species. Eventually, she shares this secret with friends she has come to trust, including Prince Shayn, Princess Halla, courier Topar, and groom Dessie. Ultimately, Kie’s ability helps a younger generation of cadets, grooms, and couriers assist the Skyforce in winning their desperate, violent fights against the scourge of chimerae. Readers, especially fans of Tui T. Sutherland’s Wings of Fire series, will enjoy this gripping fantasy whose satisfying conclusion leaves the path open for the sequel. In this racially diverse fantasy world, Kie has golden skin and brown hair.
A thrilling series opener. (Fantasy. 9-13)Pub Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-46441-0
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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