Review by Booklist Review
Jupiter Nettle has a passion for magic and dreams of attending a renowned local magic school, which houses seven schools of study, each headed by an expert professor in the art. Unfortunately, Jupiter is not having the best luck passing the entrance exams for the subjects she's most interested in, but just when she is about to give up on getting in, she's visited by an unexpected guest: the ever-scowling Professor Grim, head of the school of Earth Magic, who offers her a place at the school. While it's not the subject she was hoping for, she ultimately accepts. At first, life at the school isn't very enjoyable: kids give her a hard time, her professor mostly ignores her, and she begins to feel like maybe she is not meant to be there. However, when the evil White Wizard attacks the school, Jupiter just might be the only one who can save the day. This vibrant, expertly executed graphic novel is perfect for readers who love magical school stories, especially ones where the underdog wins the day. Jupiter's insecurity about belonging is amplified by her seeming lack of magical skill, and that subplot raises compelling questions about effort, privilege, and power. The cast of softly rounded, stylized characters contains lots of skin-tone diversity, which is a refreshing change from other stories in this subgenre. This vibrant, engaging fantasy comic is perfect for elementary-schoolers who want options beyond Harry Potter.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
