Action-packed, save-the-world drama mixed with humor and heart.
Can a villain use a weather satellite to hold the world captive? Not on this dinosaur’s watch.
When Mr. Bowman and his henchmen, Brams and Quaid—all light-skinned—steal and launch the satellite, agents Timothy Dinoman, an iguanodon who wears an eyepatch, and Jen Robins, a light-skinned human, work to foil the plot. They’re helped by Abraham, Bowman’s white cat (a nod to the feline petted by the Bond villain in From Russia With Love), whom good-hearted Timothy saves when Bowman’s lair goes up in flames. In an underlying plot thread, the release of Space Beam, a so-bad-it’s-good movie, foreshadows the real impending danger. Bursting with visual energy that leaps off the page, the artwork brings to life vivid action scenes, including an elaborate fight sequence in and then on top of a speeding train and an extended footrace and vehicular chase that would impress even Wile E. Coyote. There are laugh-out-loud moments aplenty: Timothy and a henchman pause midfight after knocking over a shelf of first-edition books (Timothy even stops to browse). Readers will enjoy the James Bond–esque gadgets, like a data transmitter hidden inside a container of dental floss. This tale has heart, too: Timothy and Jen’s bond is a strong one, and Timothy’s kindness toward Abraham is repaid at critical moments, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
Action-packed, save-the-world drama mixed with humor and heart. (Graphic novel. 10-14)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-72846-309-4
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
Brava!
From award winner Telgemeier (Smile, 2010), a pitch-perfect graphic novel portrayal of a middle school musical, adroitly capturing the drama both on and offstage.
Seventh-grader Callie Marin is over-the-moon to be on stage crew again this year for Eucalyptus Middle School’s production of Moon over Mississippi. Callie's just getting over popular baseball jock and eighth-grader Greg, who crushed her when he left Callie to return to his girlfriend, Bonnie, the stuck-up star of the play. Callie's healing heart is quickly captured by Justin and Jesse Mendocino, the two very cute twins who are working on the play with her. Equally determined to make the best sets possible with a shoestring budget and to get one of the Mendocino boys to notice her, the immensely likable Callie will find this to be an extremely drama-filled experience indeed. The palpably engaging and whip-smart characterization ensures that the charisma and camaraderie run high among those working on the production. When Greg snubs Callie in the halls and misses her reference to Guys and Dolls, one of her friends assuredly tells her, "Don't worry, Cal. We’re the cool kids….He's the dork." With the clear, stylish art, the strongly appealing characters and just the right pinch of drama, this book will undoubtedly make readers stand up and cheer.
Brava! (Graphic fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-545-32698-8
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Graphix/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2012
SEEN & HEARD
A rather unsatisfying graphic novel, sure to disappoint fans of Ellis’ book.
A graphic-novel adaptation of Ellis’ heartwarming story of Parvana, a young girl in Afghanistan who cuts her hair and dresses as a boy to earn money for her family when her father is imprisoned by the Taliban.
Adding a layer of remove from the original, this graphic novel is an adaptation of the upcoming film version, and it varies significantly from the original book. Notable deviations include the absence of helpful Mrs. Weera, who provides so much support to Parvana and her family in the original book, and two new details: a grudging former student who tattles on Parvana’s father and Parvana’s solo visit to rescue her imprisoned father. Much story is lost as a result of the numerous deviations, which also sadly promote Western views of Afghanistan, such as rampant corruption and violent men. Even as a stand-alone title for readers not familiar with the book, the storyline is bumpy, moving in fits and starts. At one point, Parvana’s mother decides to abandon Parvana and leave for the neighboring village but then changes her mind midway. Another disappointment is the book cover, which shows Parvana selling chai, something she does not do in either story (although her friend does). The only redeeming factor is the beautiful artwork, stills from the film, with its vivid use of colors to display context, such as use of red for war and black for the Taliban rule.
A rather unsatisfying graphic novel, sure to disappoint fans of Ellis’ book. (Graphic historical fiction. 10-14)Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-77306-118-4
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018
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