Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Twelve-year-old Nell, portrayed with light brown skin, learns to appreciate her hometown in this winningly wholesome fantasy graphic novel by Steinkellner (the Okay Witch series), formatted as the protagonist's illustrated journal. Seventh-grader Nell lives in the workaday storybook village of Gumbling, which was the Kingdom of Gumbling until the king stepped down "100-ish years ago." She's excited to start her apprenticeship, especially since she knows she's going to be assigned to the famous artist Wiz Bravo. When she is, instead, assigned to Mrs. Birdneck, the Town Lorekeeper, Nell's dad and pa lend earnest encouragement despite her wallowing ("I will be wasting all this time after school doing something I will hate"). Upon the arrival of two entrepreneurs, who claim to be descendants of the former king and intend to rebrand the town as a fairy tale vacation destination, Nell realizes that Mrs. Birdneck's archives might hold the truth about the retired king's wishes. Steinkellner fashions Nell and her dramatic, mythical classmates--including a centaur and a fairy--with explosive emotion that leaps off the page. Gently humorous prose teems with goofy asides and astute musings, while thinly lined, softly colored art initiates the first installment of this freewheeling series. Ages 8--12. (Sept.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4 Up--Twelve-year-old Nell lives in the magical town of Gumbling with her two dads, little brother, and little sister. All of the students in her class selected apprenticeships they thought sounded most interesting, and Nell opted to work with a famous artist, but instead found herself stuck working in the town archives. As Nell and her friends dig into their new jobs, it starts to feel like their lives are moving in different directions. It doesn't help that two strangers come to town with plans to transform the quiet little community into a tourist destination, even if it means putting townspeople out of work. Nell has the power to help save the town, but first she'll need to repair her friendships and fix her relationship with her new boss! This graphic novel is presented in the form of Nell's illustrated journal, with some pages featuring mostly artwork, and others mostly words. This format also means that part of Nell's story is her emotional journey, and part of it is her journey as an artist. This book features funny and colorful illustrations of fantasy elements that will be familiar to readers, like centaurs and fairies, as well as new concepts like a magic star farm. VERDICT For older kids and younger teens who enjoy stories about magical adventures, friendship, and the challenges of growing up.--Andrea Lipinski
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Things do not go as planned for young Nell. In the magical world of Gumbling lives bespectacled 12-year-old Nell Starkeeper, her two younger siblings, and her star-farming parents, Dad and Pa. More than anything, aspiring artist Nell wants to be assigned as an apprentice to famous painter Wiz Bravo. However, when the apprenticeships are announced by teacher Ms. Garlic, she learns she's been placed with formidable, dour Mrs. Birdneck, the Town Lorekeeper. Nell is averse to both Mrs. Birdneck and the lorekeeping archives, which are housed in a cold, dark dungeon. Her two best friends, Gilligan Bugg, a Thumbkin, and Myra Didwell, who is half fairy, got their preferred apprenticeships, something that brings Nell down further. When a wily duo of human developers arrives from New York City, claiming to be long-lost relatives of a past ruler and planning to transform quaint Gumbling into a bustling resort, Nell and her friends use their newfound apprentice skills and the power of friendship to try to save their beloved kingdom. Steinkellner's vibrant and fun series opener is a delight that captures the ups and downs of tweendom with whimsy and panache. Through her missteps, Nell's journey to finding her own happiness is wholly engaging. The charming art supports the cleverly wrought worldbuilding, including details readers will pore over and alternating between pages of text with illustrations and traditional comic panels. Most characters present white; Myra reads Black. A feel-good tale of friendship, community, and unexpected joy. (additional comics) (Graphic fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
