THE CHRONICLES OF DELTOVIA

Misha predicts that the masterpiece she and her best friends have begun creating will lead to fame and fortune.

The young collaborators share a notebook (square-ruled and occasionally eraser-smudged) in which their illustrated novel takes shape interspersed with Misha’s journal-like account of middle school moments. The three heroes of their work, The Chronicles of Deltovia, are very like their creators. Misha, a bit impulsive, relies on her feelings much of the time and longs to be seen as complex, brave, sad, and deep (and famous in the future). June (the most sophisticated artist of the three) is focused, detail-oriented, and needs to understand the world logically. Athletic Ollie plays an untroubled cheerleading role, her infrequent additions to the work in progress amusingly detached. While the fantasy tale they create proceeds by fits and starts, propelled by Misha and clarified by June, the trio navigate the school year, participate in an overnight field trip at the science museum, and uncover, somewhat accidentally, the ongoing embezzlement of school funds. Misha’s, June’s, and Ollie’s voices are pitch-perfect and very funny, combining sincerity with fledgling self-awareness and accompanied by hilarious cartoon art in three distinct styles. The result is a warmhearted look at friendship and the pleasures and pitfalls of collaboration, literary and otherwise. Misha and Ollie read White; June appears Black.

Amusing and insightful.