PRINCESS SABRINA AND THE POT OF GOLD

Teenage friends and family help a princess save her magical kingdom from nefarious leprechauns in this delightful middle-grade graphic novel.

American siblings Avery and Renee, along with their bestie, Elias, visit Ireland to see their cousin Brian. After a stormy night, the youngsters awaken to a particularly vibrant rainbow. Following it, they, sure enough, discover a pot of gold and take the valuable coins home with them. But that night, something grabs the children while they sleep, and they suddenly find themselves in the Fae Kingdom. An initially cordial leprechaun king asks that they return the gold, which helps maintain the link between this kingdom and the Human Realm. But Avery and the others soon learn that the king has taken the throne from his brother, whose daughter, Princess Sabrina, is now captive. The trio must help to recover a stolen medallion the king wears and return it to the kingdom’s proper ruler—Sabrina; otherwise, this realm will fall into decay. After helping Sabrina’s brother free the princess, the children each retrieve a magical weapon to use in battle against the king’s leprechaun army. Luckily, they have a growing assembly of rebels ready to join them in combat. Though his book moves quickly, Pellico gives his characters distinction. For example, Brian’s singing voice becomes an asset, and Renee faces danger without hesitation. Meanwhile, the Fae Kingdom’s creatures, though simple and relatively few, are memorable, from a water dragon to giant dragonfly-esque insects the children ride like horses. Newman’s artwork is suitably colorful. Contrast between the radiant colors is especially pronounced. Despite a tidy wrap-up, Pellico hints at the possibility of future magical adventures. A White default is assumed.

A well-drawn, young cast trounces adversaries.