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adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Combo of witchcraft and shaktism in a kids book? Amazing.
adventurous
mysterious
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
Fantasy graphic novel. Witches, Magic, bullies and friends make this a well rounded story.
4th and up
RR
4th and up
RR
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Shakti" is a magical middle grade graphic novel - magical both because, well, there is magic, but also because of its deft storyline that combines bullies, family, culture, friendship, and empathy. Oh, and it has absolutely gorgeous illustrations! I found them engaging even on my black and white Kindle screen, and now I have requested the printed book for my kids from the library, so I am excited to see them in vivid color soon.
Premise: Shakti and her moms have moved to a new town, which means another new school for Shakti. And this new school has weird vibes. Shakti quickly senses that something is not right - three "queen bees" bully the other students cruelly and without repercussions. The whole school seems to be in their thrall. Shakti and her new friend Xi band together to learn more about Shakti's ancestral magic so that they can protect themselves. But on Halloween night, the bullies cast a dangerous spell, and Shakti, Xi, and Shakti's Amma's spellbook might be the only force that will save their community...
I enjoyed the whole graphic novel, but I especially loved the Interludes, where Tamil cultural and religious elements are explained, as well as Shakti's little asides and tips about magic, which make it feel like magic really could be real. The empathy element is well-done and unique; it's standard fare for middle grade books, but "Shakti" looks at it from an angle of what anger does to the bearer.
To summarize: great story, great art, great diversity! If you like middle grade books about friendship and family, with a side of fantasy, this graphic novel is the perfect bite!
Premise: Shakti and her moms have moved to a new town, which means another new school for Shakti. And this new school has weird vibes. Shakti quickly senses that something is not right - three "queen bees" bully the other students cruelly and without repercussions. The whole school seems to be in their thrall. Shakti and her new friend Xi band together to learn more about Shakti's ancestral magic so that they can protect themselves. But on Halloween night, the bullies cast a dangerous spell, and Shakti, Xi, and Shakti's Amma's spellbook might be the only force that will save their community...
I enjoyed the whole graphic novel, but I especially loved the Interludes, where Tamil cultural and religious elements are explained, as well as Shakti's little asides and tips about magic, which make it feel like magic really could be real. The empathy element is well-done and unique; it's standard fare for middle grade books, but "Shakti" looks at it from an angle of what anger does to the bearer.
To summarize: great story, great art, great diversity! If you like middle grade books about friendship and family, with a side of fantasy, this graphic novel is the perfect bite!
A feminist MG graphic novel about an Indian witch named Shakti.
It’s never easy being the new kid: new home, new school, new enemies. Shakti feels like she’s on this never ending circle of being new. Now living in Amherst MA with her two moms, Shakti meets Xi and things seem to turn around..until she is “introduced” to HEK, the three bullies who seem to have a strange hold on the teachers and students. They discover that the HEK are casting spells in the woods and Shakti chooses to seek the assistance of Durga Ma to break the spell HEK has over everyone. Of course, things go wrong. She conjures Kali Ma, the “evil” twin of Durga Ma and chaos ensues. Will Shakti be able to let go of her hate?
This was a beautifully drawn graphic novel. I loved learning about the Indian culture and watching how Shakti finds herself and learns that it’s ok to be just who she is and to let go of hate. Strong feminist representation throughout the GN. The MS girls will flock to this story!
This was a beautifully drawn graphic novel. I loved learning about the Indian culture and watching how Shakti finds herself and learns that it’s ok to be just who she is and to let go of hate. Strong feminist representation throughout the GN. The MS girls will flock to this story!
“You might be wondering if she’s a good witch or a bad witch, but magic doesn’t really work like that. Magic is simply a tool, like a sword. It exists all around us, woven into the universe itself.”
This was an amazing middle grade graphic novel about a 12-year-old Indian-American girl learning how to use her ancestral magic. Shakti is used to being the new girl at school. She and her two moms have moved more times than she can count, so she hopes they will call Amherst, Massachusetts their forever home.
On her first day of seventh grade, she meets Xi and they bond over their shared passion for manga (and pizza with mayo). There are three mean girls in school, Harini, Emily, and Kelly (aka HEK), and they are determined to make life miserable for Shakti and her new friends.
My favorite part of this graphic novel was learning about Durga Ma and Kali Ma; it was so fun how there were educational interludes to really educate the reader. I thought the themes of friendship and family, and dealing with bullying, were so well done. And I loved how Shakti found a sense of community in this new town.
The art was expressive and so beautiful, and I loved the vibrant colors. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a magical story woven with Hindu mythology.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes