sammygee 's review for:

Essex County, Vol. 1: Tales from the Farm by Jeff Lemire

4.0

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Lester recently lost his mom to her struggle with cancer and is now living with his uncle on the farm. He dresses as a superhero everyday and reads comic books voraciously; he even authors his own. Uncle Kenny has never had a child and has difficulty connecting with his nephew. Jim Lebeauf, former NHL player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, works at the local gas station/mini mart and shares in Lester's enthusiasm for comic books and make believe. The two grow closer and this makes things even rockier between Lester and his uncle. In the end, relationships are repaired, secrets are revealed, and little superheroes take off their masks. Told in flashbacks and heavier on pictures than text I'd recommend this graphic novel for middle school and high school readers.