5 stars A stunning graphic novel that perfectly captures the beauty of everyday life cut with the shattering effects of anxiety and PTSD. Manuel works to navigate a world that no long feels safe after witnessing a traumatic event involving gun violence. With the help of some new friends, a supportive therapist, and a love…
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3 stars Another fun, fast-paced adventure featuring Claudette, Marie, and Gaston (and Valiant, of course!). With all new villains and some return favorites, this was a great continuation of the series. I loved seeing how the side characters were progressing. It’s always fun to check in on the band of Marie-obsessed princes and the Apple…
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5 stars A perfect pairing of art and story. Chabbert’s story cuts to the heart, while Maurel’s artwork gives a beautiful and haunting look into the inter world we hold inside ourselves. An absolutely fantastic read. It is at once heart-breaking and soul-healing as it explores hope and loss and hope again. A wonderful journey…
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3 stars A fun follow-up in the fast-paced Chronicles of Claudette series. This one continues the overarching story, branching off into the reference to the escaped Calavera Island prisoner mentioned in the first one. I love how this book plays off of Giants Beware!. The characters continue to grow, their dynamics ever changing. Gaston has swore…
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5 stars A beautiful celebration of the similarities and differences that make us who we are. I loved the positive message of the story. At no point is the narrator upset that she has the eyes she has. She does not wish them to be a different shape or color. She loves them and their…
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4 stars A sweet story that takes an unexpected turn. Freda doesn’t want to lose her favorite things. So she keeps them unused, preserved in jars. The story takes on a fantastic twist as she collect everything from rainbows to the moon to her favorite people. But as she navigates the darker, quieter world, she…
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3 stars Nice read for those who enjoy realistic fiction graphic novels. This one follows Maggie, who after begging for a pet for years, finds out she is allergic to fur and feathers. Based on the cover, I thought the dog would be more of a focus. I was actually a bit thrown off when…
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1 star A disappointing read from a book with such a catchy title and lovely cover. Loved the idea but the execution did not work for me. For me, this book tries to do too much. It is part memoir, part poetry anthology, and part poetry analysis with some facts and quotes from other poets…
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4 stars A gorgeous book to immerse yourself in. Beautiful artwork, a captivating story, and wonderful lessons and messages. Reminiscent of Kay O’Neill‘s The Tea Dragon Society. Gentle fantasy with fantastic artwork. This book is so much more than pretty pictures and Xu accomplishes a lot with a relatively simple story. Sophie’s insecurity is easy to relate…
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5 stars Absolutely hilarious! I usually have a poker face when I read but this one had me grinning and, at times, even laughing out loud. Loved Fahmy’s style of humor and the way she pokes fun at various issues to bring them to light (stereotypes, misconceptions, ignorance, lack of representation, microaggressions, racism, etc.). There’s…
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