Scan barcode
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
3.0
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
This one is kind of tricky for me to review. There were things I really liked and things I wasn't such a fan of.
Overall, I think the book was good. I recently read [b: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power|23732096|The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1 Squirrel Power|Ryan North|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1440092318s/23732096.jpg|43344260] and loved it because it was super duper awesome. I fell in love with Doreen Green and her amazingness. So I was very excited to see that there was a novelization of her adventures and it was written by none other than [a: Shannon Hale|49177|Shannon Hale|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1299093233p2/49177.jpg], the author of the [b: Ever After High: Storybook of Legends|18053786|The Storybook of Legends (Ever After High, #1)|Shannon Hale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473973875s/18053786.jpg|25338957] book series, which I also love.
Then I got this. It wasn't bad, it just didn't reach my exceptions. There were definitely good things. I really liked Ana Sofia's character. I think the authors did a good job of incorporating various aspects of deaf culture into the text (ASL, hearing aids, music, lip reading). I was a little disappointed Ana Sofia could "read lips" like almost every deaf character in mass media, but I think they did a good job showing how it isn't an easy task and not a perfect system. I also thought it was good how Ana Sofia called out misperceptions about deafness in the book.
But then there were things that were not so cool. For one thing, I was super confused why Tippy-Toe's sections were the only ones in first person. The other sections were in third person. Was Tippy-Toe supposed to be the narrator of the whole thing? I listened to the audiobook and they used different narrators for some of the sections, so even if that were true, it would be super confusing. The footnotes were funny, sometimes annoying and disruptive, but overall they were a good addition that definitely felt like something Squirrel Girl would do.
There were a few times where the narration just did not make sense. Like the whole carjacking scene. How it the world did she open the hood while standing on the hood? I realize she has unbeatable squirrel powers, but I don't think being able to move through solid objects is one of them. And then how did the carjacker keep driving when said hood was up? That scene totally threw me out of the narration because it was so confusing. I had to listen to it again and it still bugged me.
I also felt that sometimes the book got a little dark. There are dangerous things and fight scenes that happen in the graphic novel, but the cutesy, colorful artwork and hilarious dialogue helped brighten it up. Without the visuals, the book was kind of creepy and weird. Tippy-Toe's sections felt especially gritty. And what was with all of the cute animals in danger? Seriously? Trying to poison dogs and squish squirrels? Are you kidding me? Unnecessarily dark, especially for a Squirrel Girl book.
So overall, I thought it was good, but some things just didn't seem to ring true for Squirrel Girl. I loved the comic because it was a funny spin on a superhero adventure. This was a decent book, but not one of my favorites.
This one is kind of tricky for me to review. There were things I really liked and things I wasn't such a fan of.
Overall, I think the book was good. I recently read [b: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power|23732096|The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1 Squirrel Power|Ryan North|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1440092318s/23732096.jpg|43344260] and loved it because it was super duper awesome. I fell in love with Doreen Green and her amazingness. So I was very excited to see that there was a novelization of her adventures and it was written by none other than [a: Shannon Hale|49177|Shannon Hale|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1299093233p2/49177.jpg], the author of the [b: Ever After High: Storybook of Legends|18053786|The Storybook of Legends (Ever After High, #1)|Shannon Hale|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1473973875s/18053786.jpg|25338957] book series, which I also love.
Then I got this. It wasn't bad, it just didn't reach my exceptions. There were definitely good things. I really liked Ana Sofia's character. I think the authors did a good job of incorporating various aspects of deaf culture into the text (ASL, hearing aids, music, lip reading). I was a little disappointed Ana Sofia could "read lips" like almost every deaf character in mass media, but I think they did a good job showing how it isn't an easy task and not a perfect system. I also thought it was good how Ana Sofia called out misperceptions about deafness in the book.
But then there were things that were not so cool. For one thing, I was super confused why Tippy-Toe's sections were the only ones in first person. The other sections were in third person. Was Tippy-Toe supposed to be the narrator of the whole thing? I listened to the audiobook and they used different narrators for some of the sections, so even if that were true, it would be super confusing. The footnotes were funny, sometimes annoying and disruptive, but overall they were a good addition that definitely felt like something Squirrel Girl would do.
There were a few times where the narration just did not make sense. Like the whole carjacking scene. How it the world did she open the hood while standing on the hood? I realize she has unbeatable squirrel powers, but I don't think being able to move through solid objects is one of them. And then how did the carjacker keep driving when said hood was up? That scene totally threw me out of the narration because it was so confusing. I had to listen to it again and it still bugged me.
I also felt that sometimes the book got a little dark. There are dangerous things and fight scenes that happen in the graphic novel, but the cutesy, colorful artwork and hilarious dialogue helped brighten it up. Without the visuals, the book was kind of creepy and weird. Tippy-Toe's sections felt especially gritty. And what was with all of the cute animals in danger? Seriously? Trying to poison dogs and squish squirrels? Are you kidding me? Unnecessarily dark, especially for a Squirrel Girl book.
So overall, I thought it was good, but some things just didn't seem to ring true for Squirrel Girl. I loved the comic because it was a funny spin on a superhero adventure. This was a decent book, but not one of my favorites.
rouver's review
4.0
Completely fun and a wonderful uplifting story about a girl who is half-squirrel, has supportive parents, doesn't lie, and calls on other for help...basically the opposite of all the classic comic books out there. This is a novel about the comic-book hero Squirrel Girl & while it's definitely for young adults, I love it. I definitely recommend it for all ages, for girls and boys.
Plus, everyone should live by the Squirrel Scout creed:
As a Squirrel Scout, I solemnly promise never to judge someone by how they look. Or talk. Or walk. Or leap. I will defend the weak, the frightened, and the interesting. I will be a friend to the small and furry. I will be brave and silly. I will be honest, even when it's awkward. I will notice other people's awesomeness. And my own. And we will be awesome together. And also save the day whenever the day needs saving. Uh, amen.
Plus, everyone should live by the Squirrel Scout creed:
As a Squirrel Scout, I solemnly promise never to judge someone by how they look. Or talk. Or walk. Or leap. I will defend the weak, the frightened, and the interesting. I will be a friend to the small and furry. I will be brave and silly. I will be honest, even when it's awkward. I will notice other people's awesomeness. And my own. And we will be awesome together. And also save the day whenever the day needs saving. Uh, amen.
ash_hernick's review
5.0
So much fun for fans of the comic and newcomers alike! Aimed at middle grade readers, but I still enjoy this just as much as a high school freshman. I first read this in eighth grade, but I keep rereading it - it's definitely become a comfort book for me. Highly recommend to anyone who likes origin stories, fluffy friendships, and lots and lots of squirrels (and squirrel-related jokes).
oworthyfool's review
5.0
Amazing! Incredible! Astounding!
What a brilliant addition to the loving tales of the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Shannon Hale brings Doreen to life with puns, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. This is a wild ride from start to finish, and you will love every page of it. Teenagers can be hard to write well, but this is one of those relatable and loving times that it works.
Additional bonus points for the amazing Ana Sofía. Writing a main (pov) deaf character who also is Hispanic, and has one heck of a mind? I adore her and want to read more about her adventures with Doreen and the Squirrel Scouts.
What a brilliant addition to the loving tales of the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Shannon Hale brings Doreen to life with puns, laughter, and a whole lot of heart. This is a wild ride from start to finish, and you will love every page of it. Teenagers can be hard to write well, but this is one of those relatable and loving times that it works.
Additional bonus points for the amazing Ana Sofía. Writing a main (pov) deaf character who also is Hispanic, and has one heck of a mind? I adore her and want to read more about her adventures with Doreen and the Squirrel Scouts.
the_fabric_of_words's review
5.0
We entered this series on book two and only this past week did I finally read the first book, Squirrel Meets World.
Fourteen-year-old Doreen Green was born with a tail, teeth she has to gnaw on wood to wear down, retractable claws, proportional strength and agility of a squirrel, and an absolutely unstoppable, unflappable spirit. Her parents are hilariously supportive, advising her to keep her tail hidden in her pants because otherwise everyone else would feel sad they don't have one and want one.
But deep down inside, she calls herself "Squirrel Girl," and she imagines herself a hero. Right up there with Capt. America and Iron Man, and, yeah, She-Hulk.
She's a typical teen starting high school, and ends up sitting at lunch with a deaf Hispanic girl, Ana Sofia, who she adopts as her BFFAEAE. Also sitting at the table, but not interacting much other than to mutter to himself, is fellow social outcast, Mike Romanger. (Remember his name. Say it a few times, so when it appears later...wink, wink).
She saves the tree squirrel Tippy-Toe from a metal trap, and the beginnings of her squirrel "posse" are born.
Events start off innocuously enough. Someone's trying to trap the local squirrels. Then, when that's thwarted, someone puts high-frequency emitters in the parks, rousing the local pack of feral dogs to barking and attacking the squirrels in rage. SG notices an insignia on the devices, from the traps to the emitters: MM.
Then when that's thwarted, Ana Sofia runs into the town's group of LARPers (live action role playing gamers), who have a decidedly medieval bent, and is placed in a pillory -- the long wooden bar with cutouts for your neck and wrists. SG sets her free and wins the adoration and fealty of the LARPers.
Then, someone carjacks a baby -- gasp! And the video of SG and her posse of squirrels, saving the baby, taken from all sorts of angles, is all over YouTube. Suddenly, SG is cool and Ana Sofia is asked to induct the popular kids as "Squirrel Scouts."
What in the heck is going on here? Of course it can't last.
SG doesn't know it, but it's her first encounter with her first, well, not yet a super villain, but on his way to being one: the Micro Manager, forgotten progeny of a Hydra experiment gone wrong. And he'll do whatever it takes to catapult SG into the limelight, so she can be recognized as a super hero -- and he can take her down.
I won't spoil how it ends. The texting is hilarious. I absolutely loved how Black Widow and Thor make guest, brief, appearances at the end.
And She-Hulk...of course!
A super fun read with guaranteed giggles for summer!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Fourteen-year-old Doreen Green was born with a tail, teeth she has to gnaw on wood to wear down, retractable claws, proportional strength and agility of a squirrel, and an absolutely unstoppable, unflappable spirit. Her parents are hilariously supportive, advising her to keep her tail hidden in her pants because otherwise everyone else would feel sad they don't have one and want one.
But deep down inside, she calls herself "Squirrel Girl," and she imagines herself a hero. Right up there with Capt. America and Iron Man, and, yeah, She-Hulk.
She's a typical teen starting high school, and ends up sitting at lunch with a deaf Hispanic girl, Ana Sofia, who she adopts as her BFFAEAE. Also sitting at the table, but not interacting much other than to mutter to himself, is fellow social outcast, Mike Romanger. (Remember his name. Say it a few times, so when it appears later...wink, wink).
She saves the tree squirrel Tippy-Toe from a metal trap, and the beginnings of her squirrel "posse" are born.
Events start off innocuously enough. Someone's trying to trap the local squirrels. Then, when that's thwarted, someone puts high-frequency emitters in the parks, rousing the local pack of feral dogs to barking and attacking the squirrels in rage. SG notices an insignia on the devices, from the traps to the emitters: MM.
Then when that's thwarted, Ana Sofia runs into the town's group of LARPers (live action role playing gamers), who have a decidedly medieval bent, and is placed in a pillory -- the long wooden bar with cutouts for your neck and wrists. SG sets her free and wins the adoration and fealty of the LARPers.
Then, someone carjacks a baby -- gasp! And the video of SG and her posse of squirrels, saving the baby, taken from all sorts of angles, is all over YouTube. Suddenly, SG is cool and Ana Sofia is asked to induct the popular kids as "Squirrel Scouts."
What in the heck is going on here? Of course it can't last.
SG doesn't know it, but it's her first encounter with her first, well, not yet a super villain, but on his way to being one: the Micro Manager, forgotten progeny of a Hydra experiment gone wrong. And he'll do whatever it takes to catapult SG into the limelight, so she can be recognized as a super hero -- and he can take her down.
I won't spoil how it ends. The texting is hilarious. I absolutely loved how Black Widow and Thor make guest, brief, appearances at the end.
And She-Hulk...of course!
A super fun read with guaranteed giggles for summer!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
letsgolesbians's review
4.0
I love the Squirrel Girl comics, and Hale did a fantastic job keeping the same tone in this book. It was fun and light-hearted, just like the comics, complete with footnotes from Doreen. Hale also made sure to use "white" as a descriptor instead of making white the default, and called out ableist language (the word ableist was actually used!!!). Doreen's new best friend in this series is named Ana Sofia, and she's a deaf Latina. I can't comment on that rep, but Hale thanked people in the acknowledgements, so I think there were sensitivity readers to make sure Ana Sofia was as accurate as possible. Sometimes things in this read kind of young; obviously it's a middle-grade book and is going to read a little young, but the interactions with some of the Avengers felt more unrealistic than they do in the SG comics. Like, Black Widow probably wouldn't answer texts from strangers.
The book is broken into chapters that follow Doreen, Ana Sofia, and Tippy Toe. The Tippy Toe chapters were fun, but the squirrels talked in a mix of what I think was supposed to be Mafia talk and AAVE, which I didn't really like. But overall, this was a fun read, and I'm already reading the second one.
The book is broken into chapters that follow Doreen, Ana Sofia, and Tippy Toe. The Tippy Toe chapters were fun, but the squirrels talked in a mix of what I think was supposed to be Mafia talk and AAVE, which I didn't really like. But overall, this was a fun read, and I'm already reading the second one.