Three goofy characters deal with “superpowers” in this black and white New Zealand import. The Ministry of Superpowers has opened and is offering superpowers to every animal in the world! Marge, Barry, and Zeb are extremely excited—especially Zeb—and line up to receive their powers. Zeb, a somewhat neurotic zebra, stands on his hind feet and has wildly changing and dramatic expressions, heightened by his spiky, mohawk-style mane. Barry the lemur has a long, stripy tail and is used to Zeb’s dramatics. The two meet Marge (Margarine), a placid penguin with a plump, pillow-shaped body, when they line up and the three bond while waiting in line—behind the massive butt of a water buffalo.
But when they finally get to the Ministry, the be-wigged minister, a squirrel, is done for the day! He gives in and hands out superpowers for them, but they’re not at all what they expected. Marge is surprised—but pleased—at her mac ‘n’ cheese powers and promptly starts whisking everything in sight. She and Barry both agree that Barry’s new gift of handwriting is an excellent power. Zeb can’t believe how lame their powers are… and is horrified when his is even worse. As he sobs in despair, his power is basically just… being a zebra! Throughout the rest of the story, Zeb struggles to come to terms with his “superpower” while Marge and Barry try to deal with their friend’s dramatics.
Stapleton waltzes through Haddow’s goofy story with raucous caricatures—a chicken with super-strength karate-chops villains while wildly flapping her wings, Marge spins her flipper into a tornado as she panic-stirs everything in sight into lumps of mac ‘n’ cheese, and Barry dreamily fantasizes about calligraphy pens. Zeb, meanwhile, gallops from one crisis to another, his wilder moments explained helpfully to Marge by Barry in asides, and a cast of animals big and small make continual appearances in Zeb’s story. The prison he and the others “break into” is dark and spooky, but the “villainous” animals aren’t particularly stereotyped, other than a giant, toothy crocodile.
The story is laid out in panels, but most of the text is written in captions and there is minimal dialogue in speech balloons – mostly arguments between the three and complaints from Zeb, who is, despite his denials, quite the “whiny unicorn.”
While the plotline of this story, and the art style of Stapleton, is very different, this is obviously meant to appeal to fans of Aaron Blabey’s Bad Guys. The black and white cartoon art, humorous anthropomorphic animals, and unexpected actions and powers make this an automatic read-alike for that very popular series. Whether young readers will embrace the emotionally dramatic Zeb, cheerful Marge, and practical Barry will depend on their interest in future adventures, but this first book at least is likely to be a hit.
The (Not So) Superheroes: The Terrible Trio By Swapna Haddow Art by Minky Stapleton Scholastic, 2025 ISBN: 9781546182986
Kacie can find everything (and everyone) she needs on Mercer Street, the center of her familiar town. But when things change over her summer vacation, she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. Booki Vivat’s Meet Me on Mercer Street is a story about how suddenly a space can change and how a community can come together to embrace both the old and the new.
A budding artist, Kacie notices everything around her, even the things that people don’t say out loud. It feels like she knows everyone in her neighborhood and they know her, thanks to her parents’ dry cleaning business on the busy corridor of Mercer Street. It’s also where she met her best friend Nisha whose parents own Khanna’s Grocery and Deli, right down the block. They usually spend every summer together, but this year, Kacie’s parents sent her to spend the summer with her cousins. She can’t wait to catch up, but when she gets home, there’s no trace of Nisha. She’s not answering her messages and Khanna’s is gone!
Undeterred by the lack of information, Kacie makes it her mission to find out where Nisha went and what’s going on in the neighborhood. There’s a new store, $Mart, taking over for the grocery, where the employees don’t seem to want to actually talk to anyone. There’s a new kid and his mom living in Nisha’s old apartment. Who are these people? Kacie relies on the familiarity of her neighbors to find comfort, but the change is slowly creeping up on her own parents’ business and Kacie doesn’t know what to do.
This graphic novel touches on a lot of concepts, including economic status, gentrification, community displacement, and civic engagement. Vivat excellently frames Kacie’s story as a mystery to be solved in a setting with a number of endearing characters and a neighborhood full of personality. The book would work very well as a class read or a choice for a middle grade book club; there are a lot of discussion points throughout the story and many chances for readers to think about how they’d deal with the changes Kacie faces.
The format of the book is closer to a heavily illustrated novel than a traditional graphic novel, making it a reasonable choice for readers looking to try either type of format. Vivat’s illustrations are colorful and vibrant. The characters each have a distinct look and personality that’s brought to life alongside the text. Readers with a close eye will enjoy the Easter egg homages to famous mysteries in the background of some of the pages.
Meet Me on Mercer Street is highly recommended for middle grade readers, both existing graphic novel fans and those looking to get into them. Readers who enjoy Terri Libenson’s hybrid text/illustration books like Positively Izzy will gravitate towards the similar style of storytelling found in Vivat’s latest book.
Meet Me on Mercer Street By Booki Vivat Scholastic, 2024 ISBN: 9781338788686
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12 NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13)
Leigh Luna has created a work of art with her first ever graphic novel. This new series is filled with inclusive language as it follows Clementine Fox, the self proclaimed professional amateur adventurer, through a fantastic adventure, while navigating growing up and dealing with teachers, bad grades and a voyage on a giant turtle.
Clementine’s adventure starts off as an everyday middle schooler. She has to go to school and deal with hard math tests, but has great friends that help her. She comes home to a fun and supportive family, with a mom that has a great sense of humor, and a younger math whiz brother who gives her a hard time, like any typical sibling does. Then she and her collection of unique friends decide to go on a real adventure by heading out to an isolated island to find Clementine’s great-aunt Marnie. Marnie has lots of rumors swirling around about her, including possibly being a witch. Jesse Otter, Nubbins Squirrel, Penelope Rabbit and Clementine skip the day of school and head out. They face all kinds of silly situations and creative fantasy style happenings. In the end their parents are understandably worried sick and the aunt that they visited never contacted the parents to let them know that their children were safe. This is brushed off as not a big deal because they had fun. Then the story somewhat abruptly ends. I was left puzzled by the conclusion.
The artwork is stunning throughout this graphic novel. Luna is clearly a gifted artist. The pages are full of creativity, and color. The characters are adorable and the pages use a wide variety of layouts.
Overall, this graphic novel wouldn’t be a bad addition to an elementary school library collection, however it’s definitely not an essential read. It excels at utilizing non offensive language and including a lot of diversity. The story has so much potential with beautifully done artwork; the details and colors make each page pop and a pleasure to look through. However, the humor falls flat and the story isn’t attention grabbing, nor does it end on a cliff hanger leading you into Clementine’s next adventure. Usually books intended for this age group include easy to recognize major themes and lessons for the child to take away, however this is another missing piece. It’s more of a light read without any depth.
Clementine Fox Vol. 1: Clementine Fox and the great island adventure By Leigh Luna Scholastic, 2023 ISBN: 9781338356250
School is hard and it’s even harder when you realize you can’t see the board anymore. Rex notices pretty quickly that returning to school after a busy summer break is going to be a lot different than it was the year before. Some big changes happened that he isn’t mentally or emotionally ready for.
The story follows Rex through the challenges of navigating grade school. He wants to make friends and fit in, but there are a lot of tough kids that certainly give him a hard time. Bullying is a major theme throughout this graphic novel. In addition to this, Rex faces a lot of problems at home, too. His mother is remarried and his biological father is mostly out of the picture. There are frequent discussions and conflicts surrounding money, especially when Rex’s glasses are accidentally broken during gym class. How will they afford to replace them and where will the money come from? Will Rex come to terms with the “new” him by the end of the school year?
This book has a lot of inclusive language and really emphasizes that differences should be celebrated. For example, at Rex’s appointment, the mom is shamed by the optometrist for asking how bad her son’s eyesight is, instead the mother is told that her son simply needs corrective lenses to improve his vision. These slight changes in language put a more positive spin on this situation that Rex clearly finds to be very stressful.
Overall, this realistic fiction work is great in that it features a male protagonist. I more frequently see female protagonists in middle school level graphic novels in this genre. There is humor sprinkled throughout that is actually funny, so I’m sure middle schoolers will enjoy the jokes. However, the story is a little bit slow paced, not as attention grabbing as I would have hoped, and perhaps not as relatable as the author is likely striving for. Nowadays, many middle schoolers wear corrective lenses. It’s quite common, even fashionable. I’ve been around this age group for years and years now and you really don’t see so much of the “four eyes” type mockery that was frequently spewed out decades before.
The artwork is very creative. I love that the author makes images in the panels all blurry when the main character has his glasses off. It’s an effective special effect that really emphasizes the world that this boy is living in. Students will surely love this drawing style and the large variety of page layouts that the illustrator has taken the time to include.
In conclusion, this book would be a nice, quick read for any middle schooler. The story emphasizes inclusivity and teaches about bullying and dealing with being in a low socioeconomic status family. It’s not the most exciting pace and students may find the extreme reaction to Rex’s glasses to be just that, too extreme. In this story, Rex is one of the only students that has corrective lenses. However, I don’t know that this reflects the true reality of how many children nowadays wear some form of glasses or contacts, even just for fashion.
Four Eyes By Rex Ogle Art by Dave Valeza Scholastic, 2023 ISBN: 9781338574968
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12 NFNT Age Recommendation: Tween (10-13)
Finding your identity is easier said than done. You can try a variety of clothes, hobbies, sports, etc. and still be unclear on who you are and where you fit in. In the end you may find your place but you may also realize that it doesn’t matter where you stand, as long as you stay you. Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat relates her troubles with identity in her new book The Tryout. Partnering with illustrator Joanna Cacao, Soontornvat narrates her journey to become a middle school cheerleader and finding where she fits within her group of peers.
Christina and Megan have been best friends since grammar school. The duo had spent countless hours swapping secrets, playing with dolls, and chatting on the phone. But as they enter the seventh grade, Christina fears that their friendship will never be the same. Not only that, Christina has been feeling out of place. She needs to find something that will guarantee her a place within her middle school population, so why not the cheerleading squad? They are popular, adored, and amazing at performing different tricks and keeping the audience pumped. So when tryouts begin for new students, Christina and Megan jump at the chance. But will joining the squad change their middle school status and still keep their friendship intact?
The creative partnership of Christina Soontornvat and Joanna Cacao is a success in this coming of age story. Soontornvat does not hold anything back in her narration. There are scenes of stereotyping and racist comments witnessed by Christina and Megan. Moments of distress and anxiety are shown, with characters’ letting their emotions come out through actions or words. But after these scenes of distress, instead of letting hateful words keep her down, Christina is able to fight back in her own way. Readers will appreciate her devotion to her faith and identity, as well. Joanna Cacao includes scenes of pray within Christina’s Thai temple and her Presbyterian church, with Soontornvat’s explanation on Thai culture and comparisons between the teachings of Jesus and the Buddha. Cacao’s illustrations also include a diverse community being able to thrive within a mostly Caucasian town. Cheerleading stunts and tricks are shown from panel to panel, allowing the action to flow without interruptions.
Public and school libraries (especially those who have students in grades 4-8) need to have The Tryout on their shelves. It’s a great choice for any young reader who enjoys being on the pep squad or is on the path of trying to find their place in middle school. Place it right next to other coming of age comics, such as Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, Kayla Miller’s Click and Kathryn Ormsbee’s Growing Pangs.
The Tryout By Christina Soontornvat Art by Joanna Cacao Scholastic GRAPHIX, 2022 ISBN: 9781338741261
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12:
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13) Creator Representation: Thai-American, , Character Representation: Thai-American, Buddhist ,
The boroughs of New York City are filled with the stylish moves of breakdancing teens and tweens. But what happens when they add a twist to their routine? Breakdancing and yo-yo tricks are an unstoppable pair in Gale Galligan’s newest graphic novel Freestyle. The author and illustrator use their skills to create a story with relatable characters having fun expressing their style and flair on and off the dance floor.
The breakdance crew Eight Bitz need to practice every weekend if they want to win the upcoming dance competition. Their team captain is pushing their limits, causing rifts between members. However, things get a bit more chaotic when team member Cory is grounded until his grades improve. Not only that, he is stuck with quiet studious Sunna as his tutor. At first the two have trouble getting along, but things soon change when Cory watches Sunna perform some expert yo-yo tricks. As she flicks her wrist and lets the plastic bauble fly to and fro, Cory becomes mesmerized and wants to learn all the techniques. As the two become closer, however, members of Eight Bitz take note. With tensions in the dance team rising, a few members confront Cory and question his loyalty to the team and their friendship.
Gale Galligan’s artwork and storytelling go very well together. Not only are readers introduced to the world of breakdancing and yo-yo competitions, they are treated to a story of middle schoolers foraging and maintaining friendships while preparing themselves for that next level in their academic careers, high school. Each character has their own recognizable strengths which they use to achieve their goals and weaknesses that they combat in their own way. The cast is very much diverse, with characters of different gender identities and nationalities. There are also pressures of perfectionism and meeting parents’ standards within the story, common occurrences in the lives of most middle schoolers.
What really brings this story to life is Galligan’s artwork and panels packed with slick dance moves and yo-yo throwing action. In double page spreads, tweens are jumping and moving to a hip hop beat while spinning yo-yos fly in all different directions. The artist’s choice of using a bright color scheme adds to the excitement of the pages, giving readers a chance to pore over every single detail. Their research into both activities is prominently shown throughout the story, with characters using different lingos and names to describe routines, movements, and positions.
Illustrator and author Gale Galligan combines the quick moves of breakdancing and yo-yo tricks to create an exciting, heartfelt story of friendship and expression. Public and school libraries should consider this graphic novel in their collections, especially those who cater to devoted readers of Raina Telgemeier and Kayla Miller. Middle school readers and fans of Galligan’s work on The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels will definitely want to give this book a try and perhaps look into the exciting world of yo-yo tricks and dance crews.
Freestyle By Gale Galligan Scholastic GRAPHIX, 2022 ISBN: 9781338045802
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13) Creator Representation: Taiwanese-American, Genderqueer, Nonbinary Character Representation: Chinese-American
Miles Morales is adjusting to his identity as the new Spider-Man in town. It can be tough, but it has some serious perks, like being a guest of honor at the release event for the video game launch of the century. Which is awesome . . . except it turns out the game is a trap set by an alien mastermind who plans to use it to destroy humanity.
Everyone who logs onto the game—or even sees a video of it—is frozen in a state of suspended animation. Miles would be one of them, but he is grabbed at the last moment by an unlikely rescuer: former supervillain Trinity. She and another villain, Vex, have been working with a powerful alien entity called the Stranger, who is responsible for the video game plot. According to the Stranger’s plan, in three days, the frozen people will unfreeze and attack everyone else, causing potentially millions or even billions of deaths. But Trinity doesn’t actually want humanity destroyed, so she proposes a team-up to save the world.
The problem is that the Stranger is powerful. Maybe too powerful even for Spider-Man, his loyal “man in the chair” Ganke, and Trinity to take on. Especially when Miles is distracted by worrying about his own friends and family who have been frozen by the game. Things are looking grim, but as it turns out, Trinity is not the only surprising ally willing to help Spider-Man take down the Stranger.
Miles is brave and goodhearted and has all the snarky banter one expects from a Spider-Man. His friendship with Ganke, in particular, feels caring, real, and full of fond ribbing. But Miles also feels things deeply, especially when someone he loves is hurt. This book gives considerable page time to Miles’ worry about his beloved uncle Aaron, who became frozen while driving and crashed his car, ending up in the hospital. Other family and friends are targeted by the Stranger as the book goes on, strengthening Miles’ resolve.
The art is angular and colorful, giving the pages a lively look even before the additions of classic superhero visuals like action lines and sound effects. Kool-Aid-bright colors highlight the neon lights of the city and the larger-than-life characters, settings, and action sequences. The cast is racially diverse and the characters visually distinct and expressive. Screentones are used frequently, but subtly, often to highlight a character’s altered state: for instance, simple screentones help differentiate the frozen people from others, and is one of the visual indications used when Miles turns invisible.
The stakes are high in this story, with danger both global and personal, but things do work out well in the end. The frequent fight scenes are full of teleportation and spider webbing, but no blood or graphic injuries.
This is a smart, fast-paced story with lots of superpowered action. Hand it to young readers who want a relatable hero with attitude and heart. Fans who enjoy seeing superhero comics written by popular YA authors may also like this volume’s preview of Captain America: The Ghost Army by Alan Gratz.
Miles Morales: Stranger Tides By Justin A. Reynolds Art by Pablo Leon Scholastic GRAPHIX, 2022 ISBN: 9781338826395
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Teen (13-16), Tween (10-13) Creator Representation: African-American, Guatemalan Character Representation: African-American, Puerto Rican
Being one of seven children isn’t easy. Everyday is another day of chaos in the Lee household. It’s even more stressful when all you want is a little space of your own, but it’s always just out of reach. That’s the dilemma facing Avery Lee in Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter’s Squished.
It’s the summer before sixth grade (middle school!) and 11-year-old Avery is determined to make the most of it. When her parents inform her that her older brother Theo will be getting his own room, she becomes set on getting the thing she wants the most: her own private space. That’s right, somewhere without her younger siblings climbing all over everything, somewhere where she can work on her art, and where she can spend solo time with Miss Kitty, her beloved cat. Things reach a tipping point when her younger brother Max decides to make himself the center of attention and rush the stage at Avery’s fifth grade graduation. Between that and Theo getting his own room, her goal for summer is doing what she can to get her very own bedroom.
Avery’s attempts at making money to fund her bedroom are a bust; she can’t seem to do anything without her siblings involving themselves and turning every situation into a disaster. Then her best friend meets another friend, one who has her own pool! Just when things seem like they can’t get any more hectic, Avery’s parents inform her they’re considering a cross-country move. Sure, she might be her dad’s helper extraordinaire, but how can she trust her parents when they want to leave Hickory Valley, the only place she’s ever lived, her home?
Squished is the story of a summer of change. Avery is an immediately likable protagonist, one who kids will find relatable, especially ones struggling to find their place in their own family. She acts impulsively and is often quite selfish at multiple times throughout the book. She is not a perfect daughter, sister, or friend, and these qualities only make her more appealing as a main character. She acts on emotions and doesn’t always think of how her actions affect the people she cares about. Readers around Avery’s age who find themselves struggling with how to handle big emotions may find a sense of solidarity with her.
The book’s art is warm and realistic, with individual character’s personalities shining through in their depictions. Readers see the frustration and the stress, along with their joy and familiarity, in the character’s faces. With so many kids in the house, there’s often action happening behind the scenes in the busier panels. It’s hard not to feel the stress Avery is facing with so much happening right in front of you on the page.
With its emphasis on life in a big family, readers who enjoy The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels, as well as readers who liked the delightful Allergic, Lloyd and Nutter’s first graphic novel collaboration, also for middle grade readers, may find Squished up their alley Readers outside of the intended age range may also find themselves drawn to the Lee family; there’s someone and something for nearly everyone to relate to in Avery’s story.
Squished By Megan Wagner Lloyd Art by Michelle Mee Nutter Scholastic GRAPHIX, 2023 ISBN: 9781338568936
Publisher Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13) Character Representation: Korean-American
Lewis Hancox’s teen years were much like anyone else’s, filled with the typical high school drama, perpetual awkwardness, and desperation to fit in. For him, however, it seemed like there were extra hurdles to face, being a girl that had yet to discover that he was actually a boy. In Welcome to St. Hell, Hancox addresses his younger self to guide her through those messy years of hating her body, of being confused at who exactly she’s supposed to kiss, of constantly trying to pass as a “normal girl.” Being a typical teenager, the younger Hancox tries to ignore her older self at every turn but cannot deny that she feels like an alien in her own skin. What follows is a humorous, relatable, and down to Earth depiction of Hancox’s gender exploration and eventual acceptance, told in a way that educates just as much as it entertains.
Welcome to St. Hell’s story is refreshingly grounded, widening its appeal to every kind of audience. Though the author’s transness is the focal point, there are other elements and situations that distinguish Hancox’s experiences from coming solely from a trans standpoint. Anyone who has ever walked a high school hallway will relate to those feelings of just trying to survive that time while also making an identity that’s your own, or something close to it. We all face adversities when discovering who we are, and we all fumble along the way. Hancox utilizes these shared feelings within adolescence to illustrate his journey in a context that anyone can empathize with. This is also added by his inclusion of interviews he conducted with his family and friends, detailing their initial reactions to his coming out and how they came to support him. These interviews allow for a different perspective for both allies and trans youth, delivering moments of education in how to best conduct allyship and shedding light on the effects a coming out may have to both parties.
The one thing that may take some readers out of the comic is the heavy use of British slang, which can confuse those not familiar with it, though they may adapt once they find the comic’s rhythm.
Though it has its moments of heartache, Hancox’s story is ultimately one full of honesty, hope, and humor. Even the presence of Hancox’s older self brings the positivity of a future where trans youth survive and have fulfilling adult lives. While trauma and hardship are incredibly valid in one’s gender journey, a memoir that sets a more uplifting tone to a work of trans survival can bring about a great deal of affirmation in trans youths’ lives.
Matching the tone and feel of the comic perfectly, Hancox’s art style looks like it came right out of a teenager’s prized doodle book. At many points, it reminded me of a lot of different zines, though mainly due to its mostly four panel per page structure and black and white color. The art style lends itself to a lot of great, funny expressions, my favorite being Hancox’s big eyebrows that cover a range of emotions all on their own. It is not an overly ornate comic, sticking more to simple character designs and backgrounds, but will appeal to those who prefer more cartoon-like art and less busy panels.
As the memoir is split between Hancox’s high school and college years, there are some mature topics that come into play, such as alcohol use, gender dysphoria, and eating disorders, and includes some brief moments of cartoony nudity and one use of the T slur. Scholastic has given this graphic novel an age rating of 14-18, which is appropriate given the content listed above, though I’m sure college students may be able to relate to the second half as well. Welcome to St. Hell is best for those looking for representative trans comics, whether as a trans youth looking for validating experiences, especially from trans men, or an ally looking to educate themselves on trans matters. I highly recommend this title to librarians and educators aiming to include a good variety of trans works into their graphic novel collections in terms of tone and depictions.
Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure By Lewis Hancox Scholastic GRAPHIX, 2022 ISBN: 9781338824445
Publisher Age Rating: 14-18
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16) Creator Representation: British, Trans , Eating Disorder
There’s a reason S.T.A.R. is written on Flamingo’s butt and he is finally ready to fulfill his destiny! The Inflatables: Bad Air Day is the first book in a new series from Beth Garrod and Jess Hitchman, with art by Chris Danger. This installment introduces us to Flamingo and his crew of inflata-buddies, a friendly bunch of inflatable pool toys who spend their days at the Have a Great Spray! Water Park.
Alongside Flamingo is the rest of the gang: Cactus, a prickly raft; Donut, a goofball float ring; Watermelon, an always-on-the-go beach ball; and Lynn, the elder raft of the group. They spend their days floating around the lost and found pool, soaking up the sunshine. But today isn’t a normal day at the water park. The inflatables discover park owner Walter S. Lide’s secret plans for the park, including one for a giant wave pool opening that very day. They wonder about all the excitement and new snacks this grand opening will bring, but Flamingo has his eyes on a bigger prize: fame, fortune, and the chance to steal the spotlight and finally become somebody!
The inflatables’ journey to stardom isn’t easy. There’s Paws and Claws, the park’s resident cats, in their way, along with Ice Cream Jean and her truck of many scoops. Luckily the group are masters at maneuvering around the park and facing any obstacles that come their way, including Flamingo’s archnemeses, a pack of beautiful white swans. Will they make it to the grand opening in time for Flamingo to steal the spotlight?
From beginning to end, The Inflatables: Bad Air Day is a fun romp through a busy water park with a cast of characters children will love. The book is full of puns, both in dialogue and in the background art. There are lots of visual gags and readers will want to pore over every page to find all the hidden jokes. The characters are drawn in a fun, vibrant manner with very expressive faces. The visual gags work very well alongside the verbal ones.
Readers of all ages will find themselves laughing at the inflatables’ quest to crash the wave pool opening. Reluctant readers and beginning chapter book readers will be drawn in by the goofy antics of the characters and the world around them. The chapters are short and manageable, but long enough that they can stand alone for those just starting chapter books. The content is silly and lighthearted. In fact, I’d say that the book is a great poolside or beach read for young readers.
Fans of the Squidding Around or Narwhal and Jelly series will find this newest graphic novel series a blast and another one to add to their reading list. One might even say they’ll find themselves pumped for more, just like the characters in The Inflatables.
The Inflatables, vol 1: Bad Air Day By Beth Garrod, Jess Hitchman Art by Chris Danger Scholastic, 2022 ISBN: 9781338748970
and is offering superpowers to every animal in the world! Marge, Barry, and Zeb are extremely excited—especially Zeb—and line up to receive their powers. Zeb, a somewhat neurotic zebra, stands on his hind feet and has wildly changing and dramatic expressions, heightened by his spiky, mohawk-style mane. Barry the lemur has a long, stripy tail and is used to Zeb’s dramatics. The two meet Marge (Margarine), a placid penguin with a plump, pillow-shaped body, when they line up and the three bond while waiting in line—behind the massive butt of a water buffalo.
Kacie can find everything (and everyone) she needs on Mercer Street, the center of her familiar town. But when things change over her summer vacation, she’s determined to get to the bottom of it. Booki Vivat’s Meet Me on Mercer Street is a story about how suddenly a space can change and how a community can come together to embrace both the old and the new.
Leigh Luna has created a work of art with her first ever graphic novel. This new series is filled with inclusive language as it follows Clementine Fox, the self proclaimed professional amateur adventurer, through a fantastic adventure, while navigating growing up and dealing with teachers, bad grades and a voyage on a giant turtle. 
School is hard and it’s even harder when you realize you can’t see the board anymore. Rex notices pretty quickly that returning to school after a busy summer break is going to be a lot different than it was the year before. Some big changes happened that he isn’t mentally or emotionally ready for. 
Finding your identity is easier said than done. You can try a variety of clothes, hobbies, sports, etc. and still be unclear on who you are and where you fit in. In the end you may find your place but you may also realize that it doesn’t matter where you stand, as long as you stay you. Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat relates her troubles with identity in her new book The Tryout. Partnering with illustrator Joanna Cacao, Soontornvat narrates her journey to become a middle school cheerleader and finding where she fits within her group of peers.
Miles Morales is adjusting to his identity as the new Spider-Man in town. It can be tough, but it has some serious perks, like being a guest of honor at the release event for the video game launch of the century. Which is awesome . . . except it turns out the game is a trap set by an alien mastermind who plans to use it to destroy humanity.
Being one of seven children isn’t easy. Everyday is another day of chaos in the Lee household. It’s even more stressful when all you want is a little space of your own, but it’s always just out of reach. That’s the dilemma facing Avery Lee in Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter’s 
Lewis Hancox’s teen years were much like anyone else’s, filled with the typical high school drama, perpetual awkwardness, and desperation to fit in. For him, however, it seemed like there were extra hurdles to face, being a girl that had yet to discover that he was actually a boy. In Welcome to St. Hell, Hancox addresses his younger self to guide her through those messy years of hating her body, of being confused at who exactly she’s supposed to kiss, of constantly trying to pass as a “normal girl.” Being a typical teenager, the younger Hancox tries to ignore her older self at every turn but cannot deny that she feels like an alien in her own skin. What follows is a humorous, relatable, and down to Earth depiction of Hancox’s gender exploration and eventual acceptance, told in a way that educates just as much as it entertains.
There’s a reason S.T.A.R. is written on Flamingo’s butt and he is finally ready to fulfill his destiny! 
