Aphmau Searching for home

A gamer girl's birthday celebration goes awry with magic, zombies, and more. New girl in town Aphmau is having a rough go at making friends. Real life isn't like her video games, and she worries no one will come to her party. To her surprise, her secret crush Aaron is the first to make it. Soon, the house is full of so many classmates that Aphmau frets about getting grounded. The party's success enrages school bully Stacy. The daughter of a supervillain's henchman, Stacy gets her revenge by adding a little magic to Aphmau's birthday cake. Once consumed, the cake transforms Aphmau into a wolf-girl. More birthday wishes backfire, cueing video game--inspired hijinks all over town. But can Aphmau right the wrongs in time? The author, a successful online content creator who shares a name with her protagonist, delivers a Minecraft-inspired graphic novel that successfully brings her brand to a new format. Cacciatore's adorable, candy-colored art incorporates video game conventions like status bars to effortlessly meld mediums. The fast pace and quick cuts are delightfully chaotic, echoing the original YouTube format. Age-appropriate tween romance elements especially stand out. Character bios provide a helpful entry point to those new to Aphmau's world. Aphmau has brown skin and purple hair; other cast members vary in skin tone. A cute romp that will appeal to an existing fan base and beyond.(Graphic fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.