An impactful and hope-filled segue to more adventures.
Two superteens who are just getting acquainted with their powers meet and bond.
Still reeling from the knowledge that her father is a demon imprisoned in a necklace she wears, Rachel “Raven” Roth travels to Tennessee to find Slade Wilson, the mysterious man who promised her answers. Running away from the disturbing revelation that his parents lied to him about his mutant powers, Garfield “Beast Boy” Logan is also looking for answers from the same mystery man in Nashville. He and Raven meet while they wait for Slade and spend time eating and sightseeing in the city. Sparks fly—but before they can explore this attraction fully, they are captured and left with seemingly no hope for escape. Despite initially feeling alone, they soon realize that not only do they have each other, they have a larger circle of support than they ever imagined. This third installation in the series heightens and clarifies the threats to the protagonists and shows them needing to develop more empathy for themselves and others. Trust is a major theme that continues to be explored with nuance and intention. New characters are introduced organically and add to the building intrigue. A bright color palette complements the newness of their budding romance. The drawings also show the broad diversity of the people around Raven and Garfield; for example, a cafe employee has vitiligo.
An impactful and hope-filled segue to more adventures. (Graphic fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-77950-949-9
Page Count: 208
Publisher: DC
Review Posted Online: Nov. 2, 2021
Flipping awesome.
After a wish goes wrong, a girl and her crush must figure out how to break a body-switching curse.
Chi-Chi Ekeh feels invisible. Like her previous crushes, hot varsity swimmer Flip Henderson—yet another rich white boy at her Texas boarding school—seems unaware of her existence. With only weeks until graduation, Nigerian American Chi-Chi’s friends Esther and Yesenia dare her to ask Flip to Senior Festival. But Flip accidentally shows her promposal video to the whole class—and immediately turns her down. Embarrassed, Chi-Chi flees, but her innocent remark—“I just wish Flip Henderson liked me”—has unexpected consequences. After falling and hitting her head, Chi-Chi wakes up in Flip’s body, and he in hers. Freaked out beyond belief and regularly switching bodies, Chi-Chi and Flip work with Esther and Yesenia to break the curse. Meanwhile, forced to see herself through someone else’s eyes, Chi-Chi must confront uncomfortable feelings. There’s much to love about this book. The fully realized and sympathetic characters, sincere and humorous development of friendships, and protagonist’s relatable and bittersweet emotional journey will keep readers engaged, eager to reach the resolution. Ukazu carefully balances tough topics like self-hatred, depression, and suicidal ideation with funny feel-good moments, deftly rendered in her characteristically expressive style. The dynamic and engaging illustrations bring to life a heartwarming story of self-love, acceptance, and true connection.
Flipping awesome. (author’s note) (Graphic fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2025
ISBN: 9781250179517
Page Count: 320
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
Hinds adds another magnificent adaptation to his oeuvre (King Lear, 2009, etc.) with this stunning graphic retelling of Homer’s epic. Following Odysseus’s journey to return home to his beloved wife, Penelope, readers are transported into a world that easily combines the realistic and the fantastic. Gods mingle with the mortals, and not heeding their warnings could lead to quick danger; being mere men, Odysseus and his crew often make hasty errors in judgment and must face challenging consequences. Lush watercolors move with fluid lines throughout this reimagining. The artist’s use of color is especially striking: His battle scenes are ample, bloodily scarlet affairs, and Polyphemus’s cave is a stifling orange; he depicts the underworld as a colorless, mirthless void, domestic spaces in warm tans, the all-encircling sea in a light Mediterranean blue and some of the far-away islands in almost tangibly growing greens. Don’t confuse this hefty, respectful adaptation with some of the other recent ones; this one holds nothing back and is proudly, grittily realistic rather than cheerfully cartoonish. Big, bold, beautiful. (notes) (Graphic classic. YA)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4266-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2010
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