Wildcats

Crystal Velasquez

Book - 2025

"Four girls from different backgrounds realize they have more in common than they think. At Temple Academy, an elite boarding school in New Mexico, Mina, Shani, Lin, and Ana discover they can turn into big cats. But as it turns out, something more than fate may have drawn them together against all adds. The girls will have to learn how to control their newfound powers while uncovering the ancient secrets that Temple Academy (and some of its staff) may be hiding"--Back cover.

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jGRAPHIC NOVEL/Velasquez/Wildcats
vol. 1: 1 / 2 copies available

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jGRAPHIC NOVEL/Velasquez/Wildcats
vol. 1: 1 / 1 copies available
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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 5 Up--When Mina starts at Temple Academy, the boarding school her deceased parents attended, she hopes to find a connection to her mom and dad. After standing up for a classmate, Mina and three other girls, Lin, Shani, and Ana, learn that they have inherited ancient powers to turn into wildcats to fight evil as the Hunters of Chaos. The powers come from their respective ancestors: Mina is descended from the Taino and turns into a puma, Lin is Chinese and turns into a tiger, Shani is Egyptian and turns into a lion, and Ana is of Mayan descent and turns into a jaguar. The girls must learn to wield their shape-shifting abilities quickly as Anubis attempts to resurrect the Brotherhood of Chaos. Along the way, they still have to navigate bullies and romance, though the school setting takes a backseat quickly, and with the story unfolding over just a few days, the relationships are fairly underdeveloped. Those looking for details on the different cultures will need to look elsewhere. The bright, dynamic illustrations are reminiscent of animation and perfectly capture each girl's personality, especially when in their animal forms. The majority of the characters presented are racially diverse with varying skin tones and hairstyles. VERDICT A decent start to a magical adventure series with a diverse cast.--Kelcy Davis

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

Superpowered teen girls are entrusted with a mission to save the world. Mina's nervous about starting at Temple Academy, a posh boarding school that her parents attended. She worries about fitting in--and about concealing a secret. Mina, who's Taino, found herself transforming into a puma on a recent trip to Puerto Rico. She hasn't told anyone, but she soon becomes part of a welcoming and diverse group of friends, all of whom descend from ancient civilizations where felines were revered--and who can also transform into big cats. Shepherded by their teacher Ms. Benitez, who informs them that they're part of a group known as the Hunters of Chaos, the girls become embroiled in an apocalypse-averting conflict with villains who also have ties to Temple Academy. A straightforward adventure with solid pacing and strong, stylish characters exuding girl power with every step, this is an accessible and fun graphic novel for less-seasoned comics consumers. After all, it's pretty tough to resist a crew of friendly-faced big cats splashing around in ponds, exploring a centuries-old temple, and lunging at bad guys with pointy-clawed paws. Mina's flirtations with a boy she likes, her clashes with members of a snooty clique, and her insecurities about belonging (though her parents are alumni, they struggled to scrape up the money for her tuition) add further dimension. An energetic, unpretentious escapade with a sprinkling of boarding school drama.(Graphic fantasy. 10-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.