Deja Ross Speaks to Freaks is a middle grade graphic novel about family, a little bit of internet safety, and a lot of cryptids.
Deja Ross is a 7th Grade cryptozoologist, and she is determined to encounter the mysterious monsters she has studied for so
long, especially her favorite, the Chupacabra! During her family’s road trip, Deja takes the opportunity to work on her school project about cryptids. Armed with a camera, reference books, and her phone, Deja makes the most of the first stop on the trip to wander away from her family’s RV and into the forest, where she meets the legendary Chupacabra.
Deja is delighted to discover that the Chupacabra can speak and is excited to have a conversation with him. The Chupacabra, whose name happens to be Fred, is intrigued by her honest curiosity about him and the other cryptids. Instead of eating her, he decides to accompany her on her family’s trip in order to serve as a cryptid ambassador and help her interview other cryptids so they can share their actual stories. Hiding in the trailer attached to the RV, Fred travels with Deja while her family remains unaware and helps Deja meet a group of unique cryptids, some shy and sweet, others a little mischievous.
A gentle but obvious cautionary note about online safety is threaded through the story. Her parents think Deja is spending too much time simply reading articles on the internet, but she actually has an account on a cryptid site on which she posts. She thinks it’s harmless, but her online activity ends up getting her and her cryptid friends in trouble with some less-than-friendly monster enthusiasts.
Even the title itself seems to be a tongue-in-cheek nod to the online safety moral. At face value, the title can refer to the various cryptids Deja encounters on her adventure, but it can also allude to the less-than-trustworthy people Deja talks to online.
The art is delightful and harkens back to classic Scooby Doo. The style is retro and cute while still conveying the eerie mystery of the cryptids. Naffziger’s attention to detail helps tell the story visually. In some panels, the characters’ expressions alone tell what is left unsaid. For example, Deja’s brother Amari is in a bad mood on the trip due to his broken arm, which kept him from going to football camp. Over dinner, he grumbles about not being there by choice and not having much to do. Deja seems affected by his disappointment, and their dad and Amari share a look before Amari lightens the mood by mentioning how good the food is. It is a small but effective scene. The character designs are great. Deja is adorable, and the cryptids are really fun.
One minor complaint is that once the story gets going, it seems to rush through the paces. While hard to pinpoint, something seems to be missing, whether it be a more poignant resolution or more in-depth scenes between certain characters, like Deja and Fred, for instance. At times, the cryptids feel like simple plot devices that are brushed aside when the morals of the story need to be shared. However, the story is still a lot of fun and has a lot of heart.
Deja Ross Speaks to Freaks has a publisher rating of ages 8-12. The story is definitely for that age range, but readers slightly younger or older can still appreciate it. The writing lends itself to a young audience who are fans of cryptids and light-hearted spooky stories.
Deja Ross Speaks to Freaks
Story and art by Lisa Naffziger
Top Shelf Productions, 2024
ISBN: 9781603095402
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13)
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13)
