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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this. The story was nice and cute. The artstyle is inspiring (for me). I especially liked the little gags in the backgrounds.
When the new school schedule completely separates a 7th-grade girl from her best friends, she is unmoored, lonely, and vulnerable to mean kids. She feels even worse when she sees her friends making new friends in their cohort while she still has no one. Then she discovers that whatever she doodles in her great-aunt's notebook becomes real, so she draws a fun, cool girl to be her best friend and help her become popular. But will this friendship survive when she finds out she was created by magic? Familiar, relatable themes of loneliness and cliques cradle thought-provoking questions of ethics and responsibility in relationships, neatly softened by fandom/geek culture references and some comic relief in the girls' interactions with others and misadventures in playing with magic.
A familiar middle-school theme done in a fun new fantasy-injected way. The main story arc resolves pretty well by the end, but I was disappointed that the glaring issue of the toxic behaviour between the aunt and uncle were never dealt with. That said, I see there's a second volume out, so maybe they deal with that more later on! I wouldn't mind checking it out.
A familiar middle-school theme done in a fun new fantasy-injected way. The main story arc resolves pretty well by the end, but I was disappointed that the glaring issue of the toxic behaviour between the aunt and uncle were never dealt with. That said, I see there's a second volume out, so maybe they deal with that more later on! I wouldn't mind checking it out.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Fun graphic novel about a girl who gets a magic notebook that brings anything she draws to life. Has sailor moon like characters, draws on anime for some inspiration, and also tackles the tough topic of how to make friends in new situations.
The only thing I thought was weird was there is a whole minor storyline about the main character’s abusive uncle that never gets resolved. That probably could have, and should have, been left out altogether.
The only thing I thought was weird was there is a whole minor storyline about the main character’s abusive uncle that never gets resolved. That probably could have, and should have, been left out altogether.
Dany is not enjoying the start of 7th grade. She is at a brand new school and all of her friends are in separate classes and a different lunch hour. She feels completely alone and unable to make new friends. When Dany inherits an old sketch book from her great aunt Elma, she decides to draw the head of her favorite anime character: the evil but misunderstood Prince Neptune. To her surprise, the drawing comes to life! With this newfound magical ability, Dany decides to draw the perfect best friend, Madison, who will make all of her troubles go away. With Madison by her side, Dany is happy again but what will happen if Madison discovers the truth about where she comes from and will Prince Neptune shows his true colors? This is the perfect book for young readers and adults alike. It is a funny and heartwarming story about growing up and the power of friendship. The artwork is incredible and the message is even more so. – Jenny L.
Fantastic! Bursting with imagination, this novel shows what true, genuine friendship looks like -- no matter the source.
I'm rating it a 4 because I know the target audience will appreciate it more than I did. It's a very convulated plot line - but made more sense finding out it was inspired by the Chinese folktale "Magic Paintbrush"
Until the end I was thinking Dani was in a dream, or just talking to herself - not that things were actually happening. In short - Dani gets a magic sketchbook from her deceased Aunt, and proceeds to draw in it - creating a disembodied floating head who seems in love with Dani, a best friend for Dani (Who 'becomes' real and sentient and wants to live her own life) as well as magic rings to fly and a magic wallet of money.
Incredibly weird to me, but I know this series is incredibly popular and that most 4th-6th graders will enjoy it immensely.
Until the end I was thinking Dani was in a dream, or just talking to herself - not that things were actually happening. In short - Dani gets a magic sketchbook from her deceased Aunt, and proceeds to draw in it - creating a disembodied floating head who seems in love with Dani, a best friend for Dani (Who 'becomes' real and sentient and wants to live her own life) as well as magic rings to fly and a magic wallet of money.
Incredibly weird to me, but I know this series is incredibly popular and that most 4th-6th graders will enjoy it immensely.