Talent show troubles

Chaos reigns as Sunbright Middle School prepares for an upcoming talent show in the first of a pick-your-path graphic novel series by Smiley (the 10 Little Monsters series). At the end of each scenario fragment, readers are presented with options; each corresponds to a different page in the book, propelling the chosen narrative toward a sequence of decisions that will shape a new and unusual story upon every read. Opening with tween stage manager Megan Hathaway running late for school, a vicious attack by angry seagulls nets two possible choices: Megan can either run away, or hide. So begins the first of many possible adventures in which mayhem follows Megan everywhere she goes as she endeavors to put on an incident-free talent show; animal acts go awry, ailing performers flee the stage, Megan is mistaken for a bank robber, and her pet hedgehog, Vincent, goes missing. While slim exposition occasionally requires logic leaps, high-energy, vibrantly saturated illustrations populated by bobble-headed characters render the 25 possible story endings--which range from mundane to slapstick--with enticing humor. Drawing tutorials conclude. Most main characters are portrayed as white; the school principal is depicted with brown skin. Ages 7--10. (Apr.)

Megan's in charge of the student talent show: There's so much that can go wrong, or right--it's up to readers to choose. Readers make choices at each fork in the road, guiding Megan to different conclusions. It's a powerful position for youngsters who are often told what to do. Middle schooler Megan wakes up late for school and is running behind in her duties directing the talent show. Should she eat breakfast, do her hair, or grab her notebook? The scenarios that follow are by turns wacky, gratifying, or even scary; all are absurd. In one possibility, Megan's mom goes onstage to present a slideshow highlighting Megan's life, starting with a naked baby picture! In another, the talent show is enlivened when a pizza delivery guy goes on stage to dance. When a sick schoolmate's germs crawl all over Megan, she's left sprawled on stage--for 80 years. One storyline even focuses on her pet hedgehog. Each of the over 100 paths is illustrated in colorful panels with exaggerated cartoon-style art in which Megan's every emotion is comically depicted. The book, which provides an entertaining, less text-heavy alternative to typical choose-your-own-adventure titles, ends with drawing lessons. Central characters read White; background characters have varying skin tones. Readers will enjoy owning the action, navigating obstacles, and dealing with the consequences in this quirky story. (Graphic fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.