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readsewknit's review against another edition
4.0
In Inkling, we meet Ethan, a middle-school boy who encounters a sentient blob of ink that has escaped from the dad's sketchbook. He learns the ink needs to devour words and images, much as humans also need nourishment, and as it feeds on books, it gains knowledge. Ethan learns the quality of the material he feeds Inkling impacts his personality; comic books lead to frenetic, wild Inkling, Anne of Green Gables and other classics lead to a more thoughtful, measured blob.
Ethan and his sister are being raised by a single dad, since the mother died from cancer; there's a growing understanding that Inkling came to be in order to heal the pain and distance that have resulted between Ethan and his dad, as well as to resolve the creative block that has stymied the dad's artwork.
Inkling can create, and this is where much of the tension resides. Ethan tries to find a balance on making a storyboard draft for his class project before letting Inkling transform it, but when his dad and others get access to Inkling, their motives are less pure and more exploitative.
I imagine this as a wonderful book to offer to children whose previous reading experiences were strictly comic book or graphic novel form. While I appreciate those genres, this could be a well-placed gateway book to interest them in the structure of more traditional chapter books given the periodic illustrations and the content focusing on comic books and storyboards.
(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers in exchange for my honest review.)
Ethan and his sister are being raised by a single dad, since the mother died from cancer; there's a growing understanding that Inkling came to be in order to heal the pain and distance that have resulted between Ethan and his dad, as well as to resolve the creative block that has stymied the dad's artwork.
Inkling can create, and this is where much of the tension resides. Ethan tries to find a balance on making a storyboard draft for his class project before letting Inkling transform it, but when his dad and others get access to Inkling, their motives are less pure and more exploitative.
I imagine this as a wonderful book to offer to children whose previous reading experiences were strictly comic book or graphic novel form. While I appreciate those genres, this could be a well-placed gateway book to interest them in the structure of more traditional chapter books given the periodic illustrations and the content focusing on comic books and storyboards.
(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers in exchange for my honest review.)
toonyballoony's review
adventurous
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
An especially interesting read now that the threat of AI in the art world has ramped up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
fallingletters's review
4.0
Review originally published 27 October 2018 at Falling Letters.
Oppel has delivered us another middle grade novel (to my delight, as I wasn’t much of a fan of his previous book, [b: Every Hidden Thing|28374370|Every Hidden Thing|Kenneth Oppel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1454535874s/28374370.jpg|48455715] [young adult historical fiction]). Inkling offers a compelling story that plays to Oppel’s strengths as a writer.
Inkling himself is a delightful character. My cynicism tensely awaited the moment when Inkling would become the villain, but this does not happen. Although Inkling develops autonomy, he cares deeply for Ethan and his family. It’s pretty adorable. Inkling emotes just as much as the human characters. The way Inkling develops his voice through ‘reading’ was also an entertaining process. I read Inkling just about in one sitting – I was quite curious to find out how that little blob was going to turn out!
Inkling explores some thoughtful questions such as the ethics around creativity and where ideas come from, but the conversation never gets too heavy. The plot essentially centers on whether it’s okay for someone to claim Inkling’s work as their own. Some moments, particularly surrounding how Inkling wants to help Ethan’s dad, were unexpectedly poignant.
The Bottom Line:In Inkling, Oppel has once again demonstrated his ability to craft fun and compelling narratives for middle grade readers.
Oppel has delivered us another middle grade novel (to my delight, as I wasn’t much of a fan of his previous book, [b: Every Hidden Thing|28374370|Every Hidden Thing|Kenneth Oppel|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1454535874s/28374370.jpg|48455715] [young adult historical fiction]). Inkling offers a compelling story that plays to Oppel’s strengths as a writer.
Inkling himself is a delightful character. My cynicism tensely awaited the moment when Inkling would become the villain, but this does not happen. Although Inkling develops autonomy, he cares deeply for Ethan and his family. It’s pretty adorable. Inkling emotes just as much as the human characters. The way Inkling develops his voice through ‘reading’ was also an entertaining process. I read Inkling just about in one sitting – I was quite curious to find out how that little blob was going to turn out!
Inkling explores some thoughtful questions such as the ethics around creativity and where ideas come from, but the conversation never gets too heavy. The plot essentially centers on whether it’s okay for someone to claim Inkling’s work as their own. Some moments, particularly surrounding how Inkling wants to help Ethan’s dad, were unexpectedly poignant.
The Bottom Line:In Inkling, Oppel has once again demonstrated his ability to craft fun and compelling narratives for middle grade readers.
americangirlemmie's review
4.0
Inkling was a simple novel, but surprisingly deep. Firstly, as someone who is currently struggling to enjoy being bad at art (which is an entirely different essay altogether haha), this is the story I wish I had stumbled across as a child.
The moral of the story was, as a whole, simple and easy to pick up. Maybe it was because I felt a personal connection to it; growing up I was in a group of incredibly gifted, naturally creative kids, and I felt I was supposed to be the non-creative, serious friend. Thus, that is the role I fulfilled. So, I connected with Ethan a lot; he was struggling to find his identity as an artist, whilst surrounded by people whose attitudes and skills made him feel like the “role” was already taken.
I really enjoyed this; Ethan struggled with quite a lot, mostly surrounding his dad (who I couldn’t help but despise, sorrynotsorry). Ethan was forced to grow up must faster than he should’ve had to, and thus he had a lot of disconnect between himself and the nature childhood creativity inside of him. I felt that this message was projected really well, for such a simple little book, and was one I have never seen in a MS novel before.
This moral and idea was very simply written, as I said. Inkling is one of those stories that has morals written very literally on the pages, but also some subliminal messages as well. There was an entire plot line surrounding Inkling (the character), and if his purpose or worth expanded off of his innate ability to create art.
OH! Side note: Inkling is just adorable in general but his bookishness was literally the perk of my week. If you’re a classic lit. fan, this book deserves at least a skim reading because it had some very cute references.
Overall, I really enjoyed this simple little book, and I think you would too!
The moral of the story was, as a whole, simple and easy to pick up. Maybe it was because I felt a personal connection to it; growing up I was in a group of incredibly gifted, naturally creative kids, and I felt I was supposed to be the non-creative, serious friend. Thus, that is the role I fulfilled. So, I connected with Ethan a lot; he was struggling to find his identity as an artist, whilst surrounded by people whose attitudes and skills made him feel like the “role” was already taken.
I really enjoyed this; Ethan struggled with quite a lot, mostly surrounding his dad (who I couldn’t help but despise, sorrynotsorry). Ethan was forced to grow up must faster than he should’ve had to, and thus he had a lot of disconnect between himself and the nature childhood creativity inside of him. I felt that this message was projected really well, for such a simple little book, and was one I have never seen in a MS novel before.
This moral and idea was very simply written, as I said. Inkling is one of those stories that has morals written very literally on the pages, but also some subliminal messages as well. There was an entire plot line surrounding Inkling (the character), and if his purpose or worth expanded off of his innate ability to create art.
OH! Side note: Inkling is just adorable in general but his bookishness was literally the perk of my week. If you’re a classic lit. fan, this book deserves at least a skim reading because it had some very cute references.
Overall, I really enjoyed this simple little book, and I think you would too!
msvenner's review
4.0
This is a great mid-grade read. It is original and funny while managing to a deft touch with some delicate subjects.
momshawver's review
4.0
Cute. Tells the story of a boy whose mom has died and dad who is a writer has a block. The ink spot from his dads sketchbook comes to life and helps them draw. He also has a sister with Down’s syndrome. His classmate and daughter of his dads publisher steals inkling. Ultimately they get him back and he helps them deal with moms death and dad can go back to writing.
evaosterlee's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
acting_author_avatar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
scgbean's review
3.0
Really sweet story. The ending was definitely left open, maybe for a sequel? But certain aspects, like the family dealing with tragedy, were quite touching.