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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!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
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:
Yes
A feminist MG graphic novel about an Indian witch named Shakti.
adventurous
emotional
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
Reading 2023
Book 128: Shakti by S.J. Sindu
A YA GN I found on Goodreads reviewed for middle grade readers.
Synopsis: A fierce, feminist, and fun middle grade fantasy graphic novel about a twelve-year-old Indian American girl named Shakti who must learn the power of her ancestral magic if she wants to save her family and town from a dangerous curse.
Review: I liked this book okay. It did not blow my socks off or anything. There are some serious issues the kids were dealing with, and that is set against a magical backdrop. It has good reviews from others, maybe it is because I read a lot of GNs. Check it out if the synopsis sounds interesting to you. My rating 3.5⭐️.
Book 128: Shakti by S.J. Sindu
A YA GN I found on Goodreads reviewed for middle grade readers.
Synopsis: A fierce, feminist, and fun middle grade fantasy graphic novel about a twelve-year-old Indian American girl named Shakti who must learn the power of her ancestral magic if she wants to save her family and town from a dangerous curse.
Review: I liked this book okay. It did not blow my socks off or anything. There are some serious issues the kids were dealing with, and that is set against a magical backdrop. It has good reviews from others, maybe it is because I read a lot of GNs. Check it out if the synopsis sounds interesting to you. My rating 3.5⭐️.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Shakti describes the joining of light and dark and accepting all parts of ourselves, not just the good parts. Sindu lovingly shows how the more we try to hard the dark parts of ourselves, the more they creep up into our everyday lives. This book has wonderful queer representation and has so many strong characters of color. I would definitely recommend this book to students of any age wanting to learn to love and accept themselves.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced