Hollow

Dangerous supernatural forces target contemporary descendants of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"'s key players in this endearing graphic novel by Watters (Lumberjanes), debut creator Boyer-White, and illustrator Nelle. When reserved high schooler Izzy Crane, who is half-white and half-Latinx, moves from San Francisco to Sleepy Hollow, she's surprised by how seriously the town takes its history. The Headless Horseman is the school mascot, and the local Historical Society parades white, blond Vicky Van Tassel around as the "real next generation" of the Sleepy Hollow legend. Vicky, who doesn't believe in the Horseman tale, tolerates the hoopla--until the Headless Horseman appears and reveals that a dark specter plans to kill Vicky, as they have every Van Tassel firstborn before her. Together with Izzy and Croc Byun, an East Asian--cued prankster, Vicky partners with the Horseman to confront this ancient and mysterious evil. Nelle's spry linework, animated facial expressions, and autumnal color palette complement Watters and Boyer-White's energetic dialogue and evenly paced plot. A playful entry into the Headless Horseman mythos that centers a queer relationship alongside plenty of good-humored antics without requiring prerequisite knowledge of the source material. Ages 13--up. (Oct.)

Gr 9 Up--Izzy Crane is new to Sleepy Hollow and quickly gets thrust into the whirlwind of Halloween traditions that honor the history of the town (as depicted in Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow). Victoria Van Tassel, a descendant of Katrina Van Tassel from the legend, is at the forefront of the events and reenactments leading up to Halloween, despite the danger it presents. Izzy's romantic interest in Vicky leads her to offer tutoring services, and the two explore their chemistry while working through math problems. When Vicky is threatened by the true immortal villain just days before Halloween, Izzy and fellow student Croc (who also has feelings for Vicky) team up with the Headless Horseman in an attempt to save the day. This modern-day retelling of the Headless Horseman brings new twists to the legend while offering a fresh set of diverse characters and 21st-century references. The illustrations and dialogue, coupled with the strong character development, bring the personalities to life and offer relatable situations for all readers. While younger readers may find interest in the graphic novel, romantic imagery of sexual tension may keep this title more relevant for young adult readers. VERDICT Fans of "Lumberjanes" series and similar graphic novels will enjoy this spooky title.--Angie Jameson

This graphic novel brings contemporary queer romance to a gothic classic. Isabel Crane doesn't think much of her new town at first, as Sleepy Hollow is a bit too preoccupied with the Headless Horseman legend that it's known for. But at least there's a super cute girl who goes to her high school. Enter Victoria Van Tassel, a descendant of one of the original stars of the legend. Due to her ancestry, she's been roped into leading a bunch of events celebrating Sleepy Hollow's history, and the pressure is beginning to take its toll. But neither Vicky nor Izzy is prepared for the reality that "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" might be rooted more in truth than fiction: After being paired together for math tutoring, the girls stumble upon their town's greatest mystery, and sparks start to fly. Joined by their energetic classmate Croc Byun, Vicky and Izzy must outsmart an ancient foe in order to save lives. Cute, sharply illustrated artwork accompanies clever dialogue and a wholesome plot as this spooky adventure unravels. Brown-skinned Izzy is coded Latine; she has short hair and favors gender-neutral clothing. Vicky has long blond hair and appears White, and athletic Croc reads East Asian. A sweet story jump-starts an old tale for a new generation. (Graphic fiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.