He’s a trickster, a swindler, and a master manipulator skilled in the art of subterfuge and deception. At times insidious and other times resourceful, he straddles along the crossroads between good and evil, bending his will to orchestrate deeds that serve his intentions. He is none other than Loki, notorious Jotunn turned Aesir, adopted into the kinship of the Asgardians via his blood-brother Odin. In his third installment of Norse mythology, George O’Connor (Olympians series) reimagines one of the most manipulative and adroit characters that has evolved into a colorful icon in comics, movies, television shows, and videogames.
In this Asgardian series, Loki is pitted against a multitude of tasks that challenge his indefatigable problem-solving prowess and ingenuity. The first story introduces a master builder who proposes a wager to construct a fortifying wall around Asgard by winter’s end, and in exchange, win the fair Vanir goddess Freyja as his prize. Can Loki prevent her from being gifted to a stranger? In another tale of wit and strength, he challenges the ferocious wolf Fenrir to break free from a series of binds, each one stronger than the next. Will he outsmart the monstrous canine in a cunning battle of strength and tenacity? Then on his way to pay off a debt, he sets his eyes upon the golden apples from the tree of Idunn, Aesir goddess of youth, that grant Asgardians longevity.
Each tale highlights Loki’s ingenuity and resourcefulness, offering a glimpse into his manipulative mind—whether for good or evil, self-preservation or self-aggrandizement—always in devotion to a predicated cause engineered by deliberate scheming. Interludes break up the stories, detouring into the lives of other characters within the Norse mythos, some of whom indirectly or inevitably intersect with Loki’s exploits. Origin stories revolve around side characters like Hodr, blind brother of Baldr and Hel, dark queen who rules over the realm of the dead. Well-crafted dialogue infuse each character with a unique persona as they cross paths with each other. Foreboding moments unfold through strategically paced panels, some consisting of individual shots that build mounting tension, increasing a threatening sense of dread.
The final tale concludes with ominous overtones, centered on a challenge of chance—triggered in part by Loki—between Hodr and Baldr. Haunting repercussions reverberate, suggesting that something far worst is yet to come, presumably in a future volume. Once again, O’Connor revivifies a most conniving and mercurial deity from Norse mythology, supplementing middle graphic novel collections with vibrant adaptations of world myths.
Asgardians: Loki By George O’Connor Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2025 ISBN: 9781250760814
Sashimi is new in Barnacle Bay school. He has a hoodie pulled over his wide eyes and orange skin. And he’s squishy – he sweats all the time! All the kids he meets at his school are surly, critical and awkward, (or even mean!) but he doesn’t seem to notice. He even thinks the school bully and the bully’s toadies are funny!
There’s a lot that Sashimi doesn’t know. Everything is new to him, and he’s seeing everything for the first time. Even though he’s a sweet…whatever, he sometimes doesn’t realize his behavior isn’t appropriate. So he gets whacked a lot. There’s lots of whacking. But regardless of how the kids treat him, he refuses to be embarrassed – he’s completely confident and authentic about who he is and constantly amazed by everything.
Still, it’s A LOT. Good thing he’s got his friend, the classroom goldfish, to answer some of the more pressing questions he has. There’s also Joseph, the friend who says he’s not a friend. Unfortunately, Sashimi finds some disturbing information out in the supermarket while on a trip downtown. And THEN he meets his friend Joseph’s grandfather, and things get….well…complicated. Just like Clark Kent taking off his glasses, Sashimi’s secret gets found out. But will his friends help him keep his secret? What exactly WOULD a good friend do?
Santat’s broad marker lines and manga-like expressions add to the comic action and made me laugh out loud at some pages – “I can see through time!” “Holy Smokes, kill it with FIRE!”
This is a warm story about making friends, how hard that can be sometimes, and learning to be your authentic self. It’s appropriately placed for middle grades, ages 6-12.
Sashimi By Dan Santat Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2026 ISBN: 9781250360007
When Cassie, a fourth grade girl, thinks she’s won a grand prize from a mail flyer, she finds herself excited to share this fabulous feeling with her family, best friend, and favorite teacher. But as she is confronted with new big feelings (e.g. a classmate coming between Cassie and her best friend, everyone telling her she’s too sensitive, she didn’t really win any prizes), Cassie can no longer rely on her usual methods to find her way back to the wonders of life. Eventually, she is able to put some of the advice she is given into practice and starts communicating her feelings to her friends and family and works to find balance between her feelings and theirs.
This book does an excellent job of describing big feelings at a young age when you don’t understand where those feelings are coming from or how to talk about them. The fact that it has gorgeous illustrations adds to the appeal since words to describe feelings can be hard. Kids will be able to relate to the (slightly) fantastical depictions of everyday occurrences of wonder. This is a must in every library where kids can experience it and find a way out of their own big feelings. There’s no nudity, adult language, or romantic relationships depicted or discussed. Use it in your classroom or programming to talk about depression, feeling overlooked, friendship, or communication.
Dream On By Shannon Hale Art by Marcela Cespedes Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2025 ISBN: 9781250843067
The most successful shift between formats and audiences I’ve seen in authors is the transition of picture book creators to graphic novelists. Many picture books already incorporate some of the basics of comics, from word balloons to panels, and creators used to telling a story in a few pages, largely via their art, seem to do well in storytelling in the graphic novel format. Murguia’s debut graphic novel is a good example of this, as she produces a delightful and attractive book for young readers after over ten years of creating a fun variety of picture books.
The story features two main characters, Thunder, a short-haired, hound-type dog, and her young human Sage, who has short purple hair and a big imagination. The story is told from the viewpoint of Thunder and begins with the highlight of her day, the arrival home from school of Sage. The blissful reunion of their little pack is interrupted by Sage’s interest in a magazine that has arrived in the mail. Thereafter, while Sage pursues the goal of getting a magic cloak and seeing enchanted creatures, Thunder interprets her human’s actions in her own doggy fashion. Things get more complicated when the wolf from Thunder’s ancestry shows up—and the things she tells Thunder to do get her into a lot of trouble! The story moves briskly through Thunder’s simple adventures, the battle between her training and instincts, and Sage’s eventually realization that Thunder is all the enchanted creature anyone could need. Between chapters, Murguia includes one-page comics of “Pack Manners,” which demonstrate the behavior Thunder is using to bond her pack, but which sometimes backfires.
Murguia’s soft wash of watercolors, focusing on lavender and sage green, make the rusty brown of Thunder’s coat pop off the page. Her interactions with her inner wolf, as she learns about her history and instincts, are colored in deeper purples and grays, while more modern feelings and interactions with humans swirl with soft yellows and oranges. Sage appears to be elementary-school age, young enough to imagine finding a unicorn, but old enough to sew a magic cloak and care for a dog. The story can be poignant, brushed with soft grays and lavenders as Thunder’s tail droops, then brightening as she bounces into hilarious contretemps, tail whipping back and forth, tongue lolling, and action lines surrounding her wild movements. A history of dogs and “in-FUR-mation” about dog behavior is included in the back.
This lands in that sweet spot between readers who are finished with easy readers and beginning chapters but not quite ready to tackle a full-length chapter book. Dogs are a perennial interest for kids and the smooth blend of fiction and nonfiction is very well done. Sage is a relatable character, not least because she is a secondary character to the story, which focuses on the dog’s feelings, actions, and choices, and allows kids to imagine how their dogs—real or desired—view them. This will definitely be popular with fans of animal-themed comics like the PAWS series by Nathan Fairbairn, Animal Rescue Friends, and a plethora of animal-themed beginning chapter books.
The Adventures of Thunder and Sage Vol. 1 By Bethanie Murguia Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2024 ISBN: 9781250908735
Publisher Age Rating: ages 6-10 NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9), Middle Grade (7-11)
I was delighted when Maxwell Eaton III introduced a new character, Survival Scout, to his oeuvre in Lostin the Mountains, and the second book in the series does not disappoint.
Scout, having survived her trip to the mountains and gained a skunk friend, is hanging out on a small island off the coast of Alaska with her mom, an ornithologist. She’s woken by a sudden shock and the next thing they know, there’s an earthquake!
The introduction warns that, in the event of a real tsunami (or earthquake) it’s best not to stop and “explain geology.” Fortunately for readers eager to learn all about tsunamis, this is a book. As the earthquake intensifies and sets off a tsunami, Scout cheerfully puts it on pause to discuss the causes of earthquakes, historical tsunamis, and their aftermath, then walks readers through emergency procedures. The narrative is interrupted by a local seagull who explains extra facts in their “Squawk Box” (much to the skunk’s annoyance) and the appearance of Richter Scale, a reptilian exchange student who speaks German.
Go bag packed and ready, Scout, the skunk, and Richter head for the hills, walking (or rather running) readers through emergency procedures, both in general and specific to tsunamis. An appendix reviews emergency procedures and adds some additional information and resources about staying safe. Eaton is honest about the frightening and destructive power of tsunamis, but helps kids face possible fears by walking them through not only general emergency procedures, but also specific warnings and information to look for in areas where tsunamis are possible.
Eaton’s trademark lumpy cartoons are neatly organized into panels, diagrams, action shots, and illustrated facts. The narrative thread, featuring brown-haired Scout, ties the book together and keeps the book moving and the skunk, a plump black figure with tiny white stripe on their nose and tail, interjects humor throughout. The skunk, Scout, and the fact-spouting gull pop in and out of the panels and diagrams to add their thoughts, framed in little portholes. Strong colored backgrounds break up the chunks of factual text and make them easy to pick out among the rushing waves, exploding volcanoes, and sandy beaches. The same blues and greens of the first book are repeated here, with more beige/tan sand in place of the brown earth of the mountains and lots of clear blue skies dotted with fluffy clouds.
This second title in the series dives deeper into the science behind the story and has less of a narrative thread than the first title, but will still draw in readers who are interested in natural disasters or find their fears in an age of major weather events calmed by focusing on practical actions and the scientific background of such phenomena. The blend of text and comic panels will also appeal to adults who are reluctant to allow students to read only graphic novels. This second title is a strong entry in a series that continues to be a great choice for school or public libraries with an elementary age audience.
Survival Scout Vol. 2: Tsunami By Maxwell Eaton III Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2024 ISBN: 9781250790446
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12 years NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11)
The Girl Who Sang is a Holocaust survival memoir by Estelle Nadel and illustrator Sammy Savos that tells the former’s story of hiding from the Nazis and eventually fleeing her native Poland.
Born Enia Feld, the author’s story begins in April 1939 in Borek, in southern Poland. Enia is the youngest child in her family. Her older brothers are Shia and Minashe and her older sister is Sonjia. Her family are practicing Jews who farm and are friends with their Gentile (non-Jewish) neighbors. When the tale begins, the family are celebrating Passover and discussing the news about Hitler and the Nazi’s military advances. Readers see the family gathering together, preparing matzah, and praying in Hebrew, showing Jewish life to readers unfamiliar with their customs.
The book is told in five chronological parts introduced with the range of years during which each part occurs. Estelle remembers how the Nazis invaded Poland, forced Jews to wear the Star of David, displaced them from their homes, and rounded them up for transport to ghettos and death camps. Some of the non-Jews covertly sheltered their Jewish neighbors, which is how Enia and her brothers escaped the horrendous fate of other family members and friends. However, just because they did not end up in a death camp does not mean they had an easy time surviving.
One aspect of the book I appreciated was seeing the shades of morality that some characters portrayed. For example, one neighbor agrees to conceal Enia, her mother, and two brothers, but only for one night as he fears for his own life should the Gestapo discover his betrayal. Is such a character kind, malevolent, neither, or something in between? In another instance, Shia escapes the jail he and Enia have been imprisoned in, and dashes away before Enia can catch up. The terrified Enia freezes on the spot and breaks down crying. Shia later admits he heard her crying, but stayed away, afraid that she would get them both caught. What does the reader think of Shia’s actions? He instructed Enia on how to escape before getting free himself, but then he left her alone after he promised he would wait for her.
The panels of the book are well organized and easy to follow. The characters’ facial expressions and actions move the story along. Simple backgrounds keep most of the focus in the foreground where the characters are positioned. The color palette of dim earth tones preserves the solemn tone of the book and again keeps attention on the characters. Scenes of violence depict beating, shooting, and blood spatter. One instance of this is a firing squad. Blood paints the wall behind the people who have crumpled into corpses on the ground. In another scene, Nazi soldiers beat and then murder Chaya, who refuses to tell them where her children are hidden. This history and imagery are painful, but important to learn about for children who are old enough to do so.
Recommend The Girl Who Sang to older kids and tweens who like the I Survived series and other historical or biographical books.
The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival By Estelle Nadel Art by Sammy Savos Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2024 ISBN: 9781250247766
Publisher Age Rating: ages 10-14 NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13)
Creator Representation: Polish, Jewish Character Representation: Polish, Jewish
Yuna feels too Korean in America and too American in Korea. So, she folds 1,000 paper stars and wishes for a world where she fits. The problem is something terrible happens after she makes the wish, and another thousand stars might not be enough to fix it.
Yuna is a Korean American girl who feels out of place at her middle school, including with her own friends. Even the other Korean American kids, like her friend Esther, are more American and accepted at school than Yuna. Esther is a “cool Asian” who speaks to her parents in English and eats school lunches rather than a Korean boxed lunch. Yuna is embarrassed by her mom’s boxed lunches and wants to buy lunch at school like everyone else.
If Yuna can’t fit in as an American, maybe she could be someone else who belongs in Korea. So, she wishes for this change after folding 1,000 paper stars and collecting them in a big jar to make a wish. Yuna and her family return to Korea, but things don’t unfold as she had hoped. They go to Korea because her halmoni (grandmother) passes away, and Yuna thinks she made it happen because of her wishing stars. She blames herself and is full of guilt. Now, Yuna needs to fold another 1,000 paper stars by midnight to wish Halmoni back to life before her soul is gone forever. She lashes out at her parents and younger sister, especially when her sister gets some of the star paper wet. With less than four hours left until midnight, Yuna is desperate to finish enough stars to wish Halmoni back.
A Sky of Papers Stars is clear and organized in its art style. There is a regular font for the parts in Korean, a bolded font for English lines, and italics for the characters’ thoughts. The present-day artwork is bright and colorful with outlined panels. Several scenes set in the past are lighter and resemble pastels or sepia tones. Some have lined panels, and some fade out or blur around the edges. These distinctions make it clear between the past and present. The colors help you feel Yuna’s mood and what she’s thinking about. For instance, there’s a burst of red and orange in the background when Yuna yells at her mom about the homemade lunches, or there are cool, pale shades of blue when Halmoni is on her mind. Jen Wang’s Stargazing is an example of a middle grade graphic novel with a similar writing and art style.
A Sky of Papers Stars includes two central themes: wanting to belong or feeling out of place and grief after the death of a family member. The story and writing style are clear and straightforward, even with the flashbacks to Yuna’s distant memories of Halmoni or Mom reminiscing about her own school lunches. These themes may not be new, but they’re still a much-needed aspect of coming-of-age narratives, especially for marginalized youth who feel separation or alienation from other kids.
If you’re interested in expanding your library’s collection of middle grade graphic novels, this one is definitely worth considering. The Korean and Korean American characters are well-represented, and the book explores significant coming-of-age topics like identity, loss, and grief. If you believe a reader would benefit from When You Trap A Tiger by Tae Keller, they would probably benefit from A Sky of Paper Stars too.
A Sky of Paper Stars Vol. By Susie Yi Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2023 ISBN: 9781250843890
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13) Creator Representation: Korean-American, Character Representation: Korean-American,
I have been a fan of Maxwell Eaton from his first quirky picture books, featuring Max and Pinky, through his hilarious comics of the Flying Beaver Brothers, and now to his most recent work of picture book format comics with nonfiction subjects, presented with his trademark humor. Survival Scout introduces a new character and a new series, combining information about survival in various disasters with quirky humor, helpful facts, and an array of delightful characters.
Scout, the main character, was expecting to go on a hiking trip with her grandmother. Instead she’s gotten stuck with her older brother, wanna-be wilderness guide and know-it-all ignoramus, who promptly loses them in the wilderness and is chased off by a bear. As the story progresses, Scout makes good decisions, ensuring her survival and eventual rescue. Periodic humorous asides are included of her brother and the bear on their endless Looney Tunes-esque chase, and Scout’s efforts are cheerfully critiqued by a local skunk and other passing animals. She builds shelter, makes a fire, figures out a food supply, and weighs the pros and cons of staying put and moving out, including figuring out her position without a compass. There’s a happy ending for everyone, even (sort of) Scout’s brother and the bear. Grandma, Scout, and the skunk end the story with the expectation of more fun hikes to come. An appendix includes illustrated guides to making knots, building an outdoor latrine, Morse code, and more.
Eaton’s chunky art has been somewhat refined from his first picture books, but the deadpan faces and hysterical asides are still a strong feature. Scout and her brother are white; Scout has shaggy brown hair and is sensibly dressed in long pants, sturdy shoes, and button-up red shirt. The ubiquitous skunk is a fluffy black blob with a narrow white stripe and a habit of casually leaning their pointed nose into instructional sections to offer advice and commentary. Although characters’ eyes are all little ovals, Eaton still fills in plenty of expression, from Scout’s determination to survive to her quiet enjoyment of the beautiful night sky. The background is very simple, just a green meadow, blue river, a few trees, and snow-capped mountains in the distance. The narrative is interspersed with short comics demonstrating various skills, like different ways to light a fire.
These will be appreciated by kids and adults alike, especially those who can enjoy Eaton’s subtle humor. Full of helpful and practical information built into the light structure of a narrative, this new series is sure to be as popular as Eaton’s previous nonfiction foray, The Truth About…, and is recommended for public and school libraries.
Survival Scout, vol. 1: Lost in the Mountains By Maxwell Eaton III Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2023 ISBN: 9781250790460
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9), Middle Grade (7-11)
Nick Bruel first introduced Bad Kitty in picture book format in 2005 and she was immediately popular. Her alphabetical shenanigans returned with the introduction of Poor Puppy in a second picture book and then she found her true metier in illustrated chapter books with Bad Kitty Gets a Bath in 2008.
Over the years, Bad Kitty has starred in a number of humorous adventures, the later titles including some pointed commentary on refugee (kittens), the election (of cats), education (of cats) and Bad Kitty’s cell phone usage. Bad Kitty retains her stubborn nature and chaotic behavior throughout, and the latest incarnation of this perennially popular character is the reissue of her tantrums and adventures in full color.
Her latest book, published in full color, starts with Bad Kitty leisurely scrolling through her phone while her exasperated (and unseen) human asks her to help clean up or at least do something that’s not electronic! It’s decided, to Kitty’s shock, that she must have… a playdate and Strange Kitty is the selected “friend.” Strange Kitty, who wears a top hat and tie, talks (unlike Bad Kitty who communicates only in meows), and has a mouse friend, arrives with a stack of comics and eventually, after an eloquent flow of language, convinces Kitty to join them in a make-believe game of superheroes. This involves several activities for readers to participate in as well, like using a superhero name generator and following instructions to create a comic. The arrival of another friend, going by the name of Dr. Lagomorph, sets the game going and the trio enjoy a raucous game throughout the house, ending when Kitty gets a little over-enthusiastic and breaks the rules. It all ends happily however, with a rather sententious speech from the mouse and amends from Kitty—and the human’s discovery of just what their game has done to the house…
Bruel’s layout for the Bad Kitty chapter books alternates between spot illustrations with short paragraphs of text and more traditional comic panels, with the primary dialogue from Strange Kitty, Dr. Lagomorph, and Power Mouse. Kitty has retained her trademark look throughout the series, a skinny black cat with spiky fur, bulging yellow eyes, and a splash of white on her chest. Bad Kitty’s expressions are most often seen in their lack, as she stares blankly at Strange Kitty’s antics, occasionally shrugs, and periodically erupts into a frenzied attack. Most of the humor is a combination of the deadpan delivery of lengthy perorations from Strange Kitty and the rapid switch between Bad Kitty’s indifference and wild reactions. Bruel plunges fully into the imagination game in this book, cutting panels in half with the imagined superheroes and villains, sporting full armor and massive muscles, and the real “kids” playing in homemade costumes.
As I’ve watched Bad Kitty evolve over the years, I’ve personally found the later books to be a little repetitive and leaning more heavily on didactic lectures. The combination of illustration, text, and comic can be both a pro and a con, as it discourages some struggling readers who can’t handle the lengthier text and complex vocabulary as well as falling on the radar of “comics are not real books” parents, but also gives readers a little bit of extra challenge on adding more text to what appears to be an “easy” chapter book. In my experience, most young fans gravitate to the earlier titles, those which don’t necessarily include a “lesson.” However, the series as a whole continues to be wildly popular and this latest title will both get kids giggling and as well as giving a tip of the hat (Super Kitty’s hat of course) to parents and teachers concerned with excessive screen use, not to mention including some inside jokes for superhero fans.
While I would not introduce a new reader to the series with this title, it’s certainly worth adding to the collection; the only real drawback is that this and the other newly reissued full color titles are not yet available in library binding, only in hardcover, and they are less likely to last through multiple readings from eager young fans.
Supercat By Nick Bruel Macmillan Roaring Brook, 2022 ISBN: 9781250749987
NFNT Age Recommendation: Easy Readers (5-9), Middle Grade (7-11)
resourceful, he straddles along the crossroads between good and evil, bending his will to orchestrate deeds that serve his intentions. He is none other than Loki, notorious Jotunn turned Aesir, adopted into the kinship of the Asgardians via his blood-brother Odin. In his third installment of Norse mythology, George O’Connor (Olympians series) reimagines one of the most manipulative and adroit characters that has evolved into a colorful icon in comics, movies, television shows, and videogames.
Sashimi is new in Barnacle Bay school. He has a hoodie pulled over his wide eyes and orange skin. And he’s squishy – he sweats all the time! All the kids he meets at his school are surly, critical and awkward, (or even mean!) but he doesn’t seem to notice. He even thinks the school bully and the bully’s toadies are funny!
feeling with her family, best friend, and favorite teacher. But as she is confronted with new big feelings (e.g. a classmate coming between Cassie and her best friend, everyone telling her she’s too sensitive, she didn’t really win any prizes), Cassie can no longer rely on her usual methods to find her way back to the wonders of life. Eventually, she is able to put some of the advice she is given into practice and starts communicating her feelings to her friends and family and works to find balance between her feelings and theirs.
The most successful shift between formats and audiences I’ve seen in authors is the transition of picture book creators to graphic novelists. Many picture books already incorporate some of the basics of comics, from word balloons to panels, and creators used to telling a story in a few pages, largely via their art, seem to do well in storytelling in the graphic novel format. Murguia’s debut graphic novel is a good example of this, as she produces a delightful and attractive book for young readers after over ten years of creating a fun variety of picture books.
I was delighted when Maxwell Eaton III introduced a new character, Survival Scout, to his oeuvre in
The Girl Who Sang is a Holocaust survival memoir by Estelle Nadel and illustrator Sammy Savos that tells the former’s story of hiding from the Nazis and eventually fleeing her native Poland.
fits. The problem is something terrible happens after she makes the wish, and another thousand stars might not be enough to fix it.
I have been a fan of Maxwell Eaton from his first quirky picture books, featuring Max and Pinky, through his hilarious comics of the Flying Beaver Brothers, and now to his most recent work of picture book format comics with nonfiction subjects, presented with his trademark humor. Survival Scout introduces a new character and a new series, combining information about survival in various disasters with quirky humor, helpful facts, and an array of delightful characters.
shenanigans returned with the introduction of Poor Puppy in a second picture book and then she found her true metier in illustrated chapter books with Bad Kitty Gets a Bath in 2008.
