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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
"Why are you doing this? You saw what happened!"
"No. We saw what we were told to see."
Wow, what a gorgeous graphic novel - the artwork and setting are so thoughtful and immersive. The story invites middle grade readers to consider empire and colonialism and who tells the stories in times of conflict in an accessible and adventurous way, while still being complex. I especially loved the insights from the writer and artist at the end - from a step-by-step look at making the art, to reflections on immigrant stories and whose voices show up in fantasy. The following is an excerpt from the "Squire and History" section I would love to share in my classroom:
"Constructing a story, even a story from your own memory requires knitting together the things that happened in a way that makes sense to someone else, whether or not it happened so cleanly. The way you tell a story is informed by your own perspective and by your own goals in telling it. History exists in the same way. History is made not by the figures who we talk about today but by those who are invested in documenting and shaping it. In their hands, events are a tool. Characters are a tool. History, altogether, is a tool, and tools are neutral until they're wielded. When you listen to a story, think about who is telling it. When you listen to a history, think about who it serves."
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Fantastical little tale that managed to show quite well how imperialist propaganda seeps into various parts of society and what it takes to break away from it in a concise, yet simple way. A great little adventure with fun characters and an important message, but I felt like the pacing was just a bit too quick at times. I wish there would be a sequel.
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No