by Manuro Illustrated by Gorobei Translated by Mélanie Strang-Hardy 3.5 stars A fun adventure that puts you in charge of where to go next. Follow either Hocus or Pocus as they explore Grimm’s Woods in search of missing children. Along the way, you’ll collect stars, answer riddles, play games, and keep your magical creature fed…
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by Yoh Yoshinari Art by Keisuke Sato 3 stars A nice blend of events from the anime along with original mini-stories. Great for those who want more after watching the show. I especially loved the character design section at the end. It delivers on all the personalities from the show. Nice art style. Fun humor….
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by Esme Symes-Smith 2.5 stars I’m really conflicted about this one. I went into it excited to read an epic fantasy about a non-binary child who dreams of being a knight in a world that enforces a strict gender binary of girls using magic and boys training to fight, going up against an unknown evil…
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by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale Illustrated by Victoria Ying 3 stars A story of friendship and belonging with an incredible all-female assemble. Diana is the only child on the island of Themyscira. When she was little, that made her feel special. But now… she’s just lonely. Caught between being too young and too old,…
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5 stars An absolutely beautiful story, both visually and in its content, that explores loss, memory, and time spent together. Gentle and slow, this lovely book celebrates the connection between grandmother and granddaughter, passing on stories and making new memories. Poetic wordplay and soft, rounded illustrations make for a soothing reading experience. The artwork is…
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by Jen Campbell, Illustrated by Adam de Souza 5 stars A delightfully dark collection of tales spanning the globe. From Korea and Japan to Norway and Ireland to Nigeria and South Africa. A nice selection, all with a gruesome or spooky leaning. I especially enjoyed that Campbell’s selection highlighted many brave, creative, clever, and quick…
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by Mark David Smith, Illustrated by Kari Rust A fun-filled mystery packed with puns and homonyms. Three witchy sisters move into Covenly and open a pet emporium. But then things get weird. A threatening note appears at their door, a neighborhood goat goes missing. And whatever happened to Chelsea Oh’s casserole dish? A delightful cast…
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2 stars Two things before we get into it: 1. I have not read Mary Downing Hahn’s original novel. 2. I’m reading this right after Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel (which I really enjoyed) so I can’t help but compare them. A spooky story set in rural West Virginia, featuring a villainous conjurer,…
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4 stars A fast-paced adventure story that blends mythology, coming-of-age themes, and questions of what it is to be a man. The artwork has a cartoon-y style but with a darker aesthetic. It pulls together some great folklore elements (ravens, shapeshifting, skulls, walking dead, demons, spirits). I really enjoyed the sinister elements in the artwork,…
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2 stars Not a fan of this one. I’ll admit, I never got into the Baby-Sitters Club series as a kid so I’m probably missing out on some of the nostalgia of this reboot. Kay Farina’s illustrations were great. The cutesy style fit well with the story and characters. However, I did not like Ann…
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