Review: Babymouse for President

Babymouse for President by Jennifer L. Holm

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The Babymouse series is one of those remarkable creations: a pink book that appeals to boys. I have had no trouble selling 8-year-olds on the dramatic, hyperactive, accident-prone mouse. Kids with a more subtle sense of humor appreciate the narrator's snarky comments, but everybody loves being smarter than Babymouse.

This newest volume is right on time for the 2012 election. Kids who aren't quite ready to formulate opinions about presidential politics still have plenty of ideas being thrust upon them about what an election is about. Babymouse isn't intimidating; perhaps young would-be politicians will be inspired by her dreams.



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Review: Friends with Boys

Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Full of teen angst and fear about finding her tribe, it's easy to identify with Maggie as she begins her first year of high school after being home schooled. The catch? Maggie's also being haunted by a local ghost.

Hicks' black and white marker art is perfect for this coming-of-age tale. Her character's wide-eyed faces are pleasantly imperfect. Maggie's older brother isn't perfectly sized, and he's the most popular character in the book.

I appreciate that Hicks uses familiar tropes of high school relationships without letting her characters become cardboard stereotypes. The relationships between Maggie and her brothers and the larger school community are complex and interesting. Maggie's anguish and confusion at the loss of her mother is palpable. There are no easy fixes. I found myself wanting more from the story, though; the character development in a graphic novel can be slow, especially when the pictures tell the bulk of the story. Hicks gave me a taste of this family, but it wasn't enough to whet my appetite.

I admit I also love that one of her brothers is doing a musical about zombies.

There's a nice twist at the end that might be anticipated by savvy readers, but I didn't, and I like that.



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