Horse Trouble – book review

Horse Trouble by Kristin Varner Juvenile Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kate is a middle schooler who loves horses and has been obsessed with them since she was 7 (she’s now 12). Although she can’t afford to have her own horse, she has been taking riding lessons over the past 4 years and is becoming an accomplished rider, though she does seem to fall off a lot. She pays … Read more

Long Distance – book review

Long Distance by Whitney Gardner Graphic Novel Mystery Science Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Vega’s dads have just moved their family to Seattle, Washington, and they’re sending Vega to camp so she can make some new friends. Vega isn’t super keen on this idea. Although she misses her bff, Halley, Vega doesn’t think she needs any more friends in her life. Camp Very Best Friend is definitely weird. The counselors are creepily … Read more

Snapdragon – book review

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh Graphic Novel Supernatural Teen/Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) When her dog Good Boy goes missing, Snapdragon meets the local “witch,” Jacks, who found him and patched him up. She returns later with some baby possums who Jacks agrees to take in IF Snap helps care for them. Snap learns that Jacks is also a taxidermist of sorts – cleans up animal skeletons and then puts them back together (articulation) … Read more

My Last Summer with Cass – book review

My Last Summer with Cass by Mark Crilley Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When they were little, Megan and Cass used to spend part of each summer together at a rental cabin with their parents. Both of them loved art and collaborating on pieces together. When they drew on the wall of the rental, the owner even praised their talent! Cass’ parents end up divorcing and the families stop vacationing … Read more

Pawcasso – book review

Pawcasso by Remy Lai Graphic Novel Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) While Jo is in town she sees a dog carrying a basket and follows him, curious about what he’s doing/where he’s going. In the basket are a list and some money, and at each shop the dog gets a few items and lots of pets and treats from proprietors. At the bookstore, Jo is mistaken for the dog’s owner, … Read more

Allergic – book review

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Maggie is super excited that she’s going to be allowed to pick out a puppy for her birthday. But instead of a dog, she comes home congested and covered in hives. It turns out she’s allergic to dogs (and cats and probably other furry creatures, too), and this breaks her heart – she loves … Read more

Return of Zita the Spacegirl – book review

The Return of Zita the Spacegirl Zita the Spacegirl #3 by Ben Hatke Adventure Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Zita’s exploits seemed heroic, but now she’s being imprisoned for her crimes. Thrown into a dungeon and forced to work in the mines, she’s desperate to escape, but only if she can take her friends with her. A mysterious benefactor helps her break out and they have to work together to … Read more

Legends of Zita the Spacegirl – book review

Legends of Zita the Spacegirl Zita the Spacegirl #2 by Ben Hatke Adventure Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Zita’s pretty much famous now that she’s saved a world from complete annihilation. But she’s not so comfortable being a superstar, so when a weird little look-alike robot shows up and starts impersonating her, Zita is glad for the break. But when the REAL Zita is ready to return, her doppelganger won’t … Read more

Big Break – book review

The Big Break by Mark Tatulli Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Best friends and middle schoolers, Andrew and Russ are in the process of filming a documentary about a local cryptid – the Jersey Devil – which they plan on entering in a contest. They’re trying to figure out how it should end and add some special effects when Russ gets distracted by a new friendship. With a girl – … Read more

Zita the Spacegirl: Far from Home – book review

Far from Home Zita the Spacegirl #1 by Ben Hatke Adventure Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Zita and her friend Joseph find a meteor crash site and within the meteor is a device with a big red button that Zita can’t resist pressing. It opens up a gate to another world and Joseph promptly gets sucked in. Zita follows him shortly thereafter, but discovers that Joseph has already been … Read more