Category Archives: Graphic Novel or Adaptation

Review: You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne

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You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne

You and Me on Repeat
Mary Shyne
Henry Holt & Co
Published May 13, 2025

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About You and Me on Repeat

In this swoony and hilarious debut rom-com graphic novel, two former friends are trapped in a time loop together, repeating their high school graduation day over and over and over—for fans of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Pumpkinheads, and Groundhog Day.

Chris O’Brien has a genius plan: If he can share the perfect first kiss with his crush, Andy, then of course he’ll break free from the time loop that has him repeating graduation day over and over…and over.

Alicia Ochoa thinks Chris’s plan is doomed. Valedictorian and a total nerd, she knows it’ll take more than a kiss to escape the loop they’re trapped in together. Besides, Chris may be a hopeless romantic, but Alicia doesn’t think he has a real shot with Andy.

Once close friends, Alicia and Chris have history—lots of it. As they got older, the pair fell out after Chris ditched her for the “cool kids” and left her in the dust. But when you’re looping side by side, you never know if friendship might rekindle or what new feelings could spark along the way.

My Review

This story starts out in the middle, backtracks to the beginning, and then moves forward toward the ending. While it was a little confusing in the first few pages, it helps introduce a lot of elements, like Chris and Andy’s relationship, the time loop, the estrangement between Alicia and Chris, etc.

At first, some of the elements seem disparate. For example, Chris and the other kids on the swim team are mourning the loss of their swim coach, who died in a car accident. Alicia behaves oddly about something that later, once Chris puts the pieces together, makes a lot more sense.

I like the way that the story connects all these dots together. I also thought some of the things Alicia and Chris do during the phase in which they’ve given up on getting out of the time loop were pretty silly.

The time loop also gives Chris a chance to experience parts of Alicia’s life that she would probably have kept hidden otherwise, like her relationships with her siblings. Being so close to Alicia’s family gives Chris an opportunity to confront privilege that he didn’t realize he had. It also helps shed light on why the friendship between them ended and what their moms argued about.

Ultimately, I think this is a perfect book to kick off summer with. Read this while enjoying a bowl of ice cream or lounging by the pool. The story is a lot of fun, and it offers some thoughtful moments as well.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Multiple characters are stuck in a time loop and repeat the same day over and over.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. References to pranks and hijinks, such as stealing something, knowing that the timeline will reset and the items will return to where they belong the next day.

Drug Content
Teens drink alcohol and get drunk at a graduation party.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Renegade Girls by Nora Neus and Julie Robine

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Renegade Girls: A Queer Tale of Romance and Rabble-Rousing
Nore Neus
Illustrated by Julie Robine
Little, Brown Ink
Published April 1, 2025

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About Renegade Girls: A Queer Tale of Romance and Rabble-Rousing

A swoonworthy queer romance set against a riveting story of social change in the 1880s, this historical graphic novel reimagines the life of America’s first stunt girl—a young undercover reporter—and her whirlwind summer of romance and fighting injustice. 

Seventeen-year-old Helena “Nell” Cusack came to New York this summer looking for a story—a real story. She dreams of one day writing hard-hitting articles for the New York Chronicle, but so far she’s only managed to land a job as a lowly society reporter. That is, until Alice Austen strolls into her life, an audacious street photographer who encourages Nell to shake up polite society…and maybe also take a chance on love.

When her best friend, Lucia, is injured while working in a garment factory, Nell is determined to crack the story wide open. Posing as a seamstress, she reports on the conditions from the inside, making a name for herself as the Chronicle’s first-ever stunt girl. But as Nell’s reporting gains momentum, so do the objections of those who oppose her. Will Nell continue to seek justice—even if it hurts her in the end?

Based on real-life stunt girl Nell Nelson and photographer Alice Austen, this tenderly drawn narrative is about bringing buried stories to light and the bravery of first love.

My Review

What a fun book! I loved the historical setting and the focus on “stunt girl” reporting. I think the adaptation to graphic novel worked well here, though it meant that some scenes needed to be simplified. The story was very cohesive and the characters felt very real.

As a person with Italian immigrant ancestors, I loved that this is something Neus included in the book, too. It definitely left me feeling with a little more of a personal connection with the story. My great-grandmother worked in a factory during the 1930s/40s after her husband passed away, which is later than when this story is written, but it gave me a chance to reflect on that part of her life a little bit.

The main characters in the book are inspired by real people, though Neus takes some artistic liberty with some elements. The book includes a detailed author’s note that explains which elements are historically accurate.

All in all, I had a great time reading this book, and I would love to see more graphic novels like this one. (Another historical graphic novel on my reading list is I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner.)

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Nell sneaks into a factory and poses as a worker while working as an undercover reporter. She could get in a lot of trouble if caught. Someone shows Nell an injury that resulted from high-pressure factory work.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall and

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The Worst Ronin
Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Art by Faith Schaffer
HarperAlley
Published May 21, 2024

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About The Worst Ronin

When an unlikely pair of female samurai join forces, what begins as your run-of-the-mill quest for glory and revenge evolves into something much more complicated. Turns out fighting actual demons doesn’t mean you’re not running from your own internal ones. Nimona meets Attack on Titan in this edgy, unexpectedly hilarious, genre-defying young adult graphic novel.

Being a samurai isn’t easy. Sixteen-year-old Chihiro Ito knows that more than anyone. Her father is renowned among the samurai, but the only thing Chihiro is known for is spending way too much time on her phone obsessing over Tatsuo Nakano, Chihiro’s idol and the first woman to be accepted into Kesi Academy, a prestigious samurai school.

So, when Chihiro’s father is conscripted for service and the opportunity arises to work with Tatsuo in his stead, Chihiro jumps at the chance to prove that she’s worthy of a spot at Kesi Academy and the samurai title. Their mission: kill the yamauba demon terrorizing a village. With a legendary samurai like Tatsuo by her side, Chihiro is convinced victory is inevitable. But Tatsuo isn’t at all like the hero Chihiro imagined. Foulmouthed, quick-tempered, and a terrible drunk, Tatsuo completely turned her back on the samurai way and is now a ronin working for hire as a means of escaping the grief that haunts her. Forced to work together, the two are thrust on a treacherous journey filled with epic battles and twisted conspiracies as they must put aside their differences to save the village and face the demons of the past.

My Review

I think I heard of this book through a review on another site. I’ve wanted to read something by Maggie Tokuda-Hall for a while, so this graphic novel seemed like the perfect chance.

The story has a bit of a grumpy vs. sunshine vibe, though there’s no romance between Chihiro and her idol Tatsuo. The two have a mentor/mentee kind of relationship, which still winds up being adorable and funny. Though it’s set in a fantasy landscape, there are some references to Japanese culture and traditions.

The scenes alternate between a past timeline in which Tatsuo was younger and the present when most of the story occurs. The past and present collide during Chihiro’s mission, and we learn more that explains some of Tatsuo’s behavior. Ultimately, the story resolves conflict from both timelines, which makes the conclusion pretty satisfying.

I enjoyed reading this one. It’s a bit goofy and fun but has a serious undertone. The balance of those two things was nicely done.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A couple f-bombs and some other profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
The story contains a mythical monster made from unresolved grief.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief battle scenes. One scene shows two people betrayed and killed. Another scene shows children in peril. Readers learn that at least one child has died. One battle happens between a monster and two people.

Drug Content
Tatsuo drinks alcohol until drunk in a couple of scenes.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill

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A Song for You and I
K. O’Neill
Random House Graphic
Published March 4, 2025

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About A Song for You and I

Being a ranger means adventure, action, and protecting the weak. But who protects the ranger when they lose their way? From the bestselling author of The Moth Keeper and the Tea Dragon Society comes a must read MG graphic novel for fans of soft sweeping fantasy romances.

Rowan knows exactly what they to be a ranger, protecting their village alongside their trusted flying horse Kes. But when Rowan’s eagerness to show off their worth gets Kes injured, Rowan is suddenly unsure if they’re capable of being the protector they’ve always dreamed of becoming. 

With Kes needing to heal, Rowan is assigned a slow and winding expedition across the outlying lands. Paired with a lackadasical sheep hearder Leone, Rowan only finds frustration as they seem to fail even the simplest tasks. But Leone’s own struggles, and endless support brings a new possibility to Rowan. Could their unlikely friendship be something more? And if it is, will Rowan be able to leave Leone behind to pursue being a ranger once Kes is healed?

My Review

This sweet book is exactly the story I needed this week. I’ve been a fan of O’Neill’s work for a while, though I still have some books to catch up on. So, when I saw this book coming out this year, I knew I would have to read it.

The gentle pacing and gorgeous landscapes that appear throughout the story swept me away. I’m not sure I’d call this cozy precisely, but maybe cozy-adjacent? There is at least one moment with some real tension, though a lot of the story centers on relationships and personal growth or healing.

The two main characters have really different personalities. Leone is generally positive and optimistic, but struggles with confidence in playing music. Rowan resents the slower pacing that Leone lives life and feels anxious to get out into the world serving as a ranger. As the story progresses, though, they realize that Leone’s way of approaching life offers things they lack.

I honestly couldn’t have read this book at a better time. The color palettes are stunning, the characters made me smile, and the pacing felt like taking a long, full breath after a stressful day. It’s a fabulous book.

If you’re unfamiliar with K. O’Neill’s work and you like cozier fantasy, you definitely do not want to miss this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
One character kisses another on the cheek.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Rowan’s horse, Kes, is injured during a storm.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Pablo and Splash: Frozen in Time by Sheena Dempsey

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, , , ,

Pablo and Splash: Frozen in Time (Pablo & Splash #2)
Sheena Dempsey
Bloomsbury
Published March 4, 2025

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About Pablo and Splash: Frozen in Time

Time-traveling penguins Pablo and Splash must rescue their friend from the Ice Age in this brilliantly funny, full-color graphic novel for young readers.

Pablo and Splash go to visit Professor O’Brain in her lab, only to find that their friend has been left behind in the Ice Age by her misbehaving time machine. The brave penguin buddies set out on a rescue mission – destination 68,000 years ago! When a Neanderthal man accidentally wanders into their time machine, it’s not just the professor who is stuck in the wrong time period. But luckily a scientific breakthrough for Pablo and Splash’s endlessly upbeat approach to life’s challenges helps save the day!

The race against time – several times over! – makes this pacey and hilarious graphic novel irresistible. It’ll be a huge hit for fans of Bunny vs Monkey, Bumble and Snug, funny animal stories and light-hearted ancient history.

My Review

This cute follow-up to the first book in the series delivers more laughs and silly antics. Serious, routine-oriented Pablo and spontaneous, thrill-seeking Splash journey back in time to find missing Dr. O’Brain. It’s a funny, light-hearted story that introduces readers to some historical facts about Northern Europe during a glacial ice age.

While the book focuses mainly on the penguins’ adventure, Dempsey sneaks a few facts in here and there so that readers have an opportunity to learn and may not even realize it. Pretty clever!

The illustrations are playful and support the upbeat tone of the story. At the back, one section shows readers how to create different expressions on the penguins’ faces. There’s also a personality quiz in which readers can find out whether they’re more like Pablo or Splash.

It’s an easy read and a fun story that slips a little historical information into the text and entertains from start to finish. Readers who like animals or humorous stories will not want to miss this cute sequel.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. References to hunting animals. (No harming animals on the page.) References to someone kicking another character. (Happened off-page.)

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smith

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Black Heroes of the Wild West: Featuring Stagecoach Mary, Bass Reeves, and Bob Lemmons
James Otis Smith
TOON Books
September 15, 2020

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About Black Heroes of the Wild West

True stories from the Wild West, but not like you’ve seen in the movies.

This graphic novel by James Otis Smith celebrates the extraordinary true tales of three black heroes who took control of their destinies and stood up for their communities in the Old West. Born into slavery in Tennessee, Mary Fields became famous as “Stagecoach Mary,” a cigar-chomping, cardplaying coach driver who never missed a delivery. Bass Reeves, the first black Deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi, was one of the wiliest lawmen in the territories, bringing thousands of outlaws to justice with his smarts. Bob Lemmons lived to be 99 years old and was so good with horses that the wild mustangs on the plains of Texas took him for one of their own.

My Review

I stumbled onto this book while looking for resources for Black History Month. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. This book is packed with great information and engaging stories about historical figures in the American West.

The book opens with an introduction from the award-winning Kadir Nelson, who explains the book’s purpose and offers additional context for the work itself. Three biographies presented in graphic novel format follow the introduction. Through these engaging biographies, readers meet Mary Fields, Bass, Reeves, and Bob Lemmons.

Maybe I’d heard of Mary Fields, or “Stagecoach Mary,” as she came to be known, before reading the book. I definitely had not heard of the two men featured in the text. I love how the panels not only give facts about the lives of these incredible people but also reveal their character.

After the graphic novel panels relating those three biographies, there are a few pages of text and photographs that tell more abbreviated information about other Black heroes of the American West. The text also offers a more comprehensive view of what was happening at the time. There’s also a timeline that puts everything into perspective.

Conclusion

This book is as informative as it is engaging. A great pick for anyone interested in learning more about the history of the American West or about Black history.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Stagecoach Mary cared for and worked with nuns for years in Montana.

Violent Content
Vague references to gunfights and outlaws. Nothing graphically shown or described.

Drug Content
References to adults drinking alcohol and smoking cigars.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.