CLOCK STRIKER

A young Black girl with a disability and a zest for science and engineering strives against the odds.

Cast dreams of being an engineer. She particularly dreams of becoming a member of SMITH—a traditionally predominantly male group of engineer warriors who create tools to help people. Cast, who does not have a left hand, attends school in a poor neighborhood where STEM subjects are not taught, but she enjoys experimenting and building her own creations. Nevertheless, she is told by her White home economics teacher that with these disadvantages, not to mention her gender, she cannot even apply for the SMITH mentorship contest. But Cast remains determined to try, building herself a prosthetic hand. And as it happens, she impresses teacher Philomena Clock, who also reads White and is a SMITH. She accepts Cast as an apprentice in the role of STRIKER, an assistant who will help her on her missions. Philomena plans to train and teach Cast all she needs to know to succeed at her dream and support the SMITH mission. Will Cast prove to be up to the task despite all the dangers that await her? Galadima and Jones’ graphic novel is filled with action and adventure and touches on multiple social themes. It merges a fun atmosphere with serious topics like discrimination in ways that are digestible for teen readers. The lively illustrations have an appealing steampunk aesthetic. Readers will eagerly anticipate more entries.

A fantastic, refreshing series opener.