Archives of the unexplained

While attending his uncle's funeral, TJ comes across a secret door leading to a basement room and a classified document about Area 51. The classified document contains compelling information about the world of aliens, UFOs, conspiracies, and their connections with the ever-so-secretive locale. As he reads the document, he becomes entangled in a web of danger and suspense when two mysterious men in black appear, searching for the same information. To protect the files, TJ must hide from these ominous figures to discover the infamous site's secrets. This first in a new graphic novel series digging into perplexing historical mysteries blends concrete facts with accounts of conspiracy theories and a compelling narrative frame. Dynamic artwork adds lots of visual flair to the accounts of history, and the many questions raised by the text will pique the interest of kids fascinated by paranormal occurrences.

Gr 6--8--Foxe's latest graphic novel series explores unexplained mysteries, with the first volume focusing on Area 51, and the second volume covering real ghost sightings. In Area 51,TJ attends his great-uncle's funeral and is shocked to find a secret room filled with tinfoil walls and files that contain government secrets, revealing the history and conspiracies surrounding Area 51. Readers will find this an engaging graphic novel that recounts the mysterious nature of Area 51, including its history with aircraft, aliens, and government secrecy, though some sections are lengthy. Bueno's colorful comic-style art will appeal to a variety of readers. In Unwanted Guests, after moving to a new house, Minnie and Jackson meet a local neighborhood kid who shares two ghost stories about people also named Minnie. In 1920s Australia, Minnie Bowen was believed to be haunted by her sister's ghost, and in 1987 Atlanta, GA, Minnie Clyde Winston discovered her entire house appeared to have blood coming from the walls and floors. In both volumes, there is an excellent blend between the framing narrative and the interspersed mystery stories to keep readers captivated. A bibliography is included in each volume for further reading on the history of each book's topic. Readers who enjoy history, horror, and conspiracy theories will thoroughly enjoy this series. Jackson and Minnie are biracial, their father is Black, their mother has pale skin; TJ is white. VERDICT A solid addition to middle grade graphic novel collections, this engaging series expertly blends a compelling narrative with fascinating historical details about unexplained phenomena, sure to captivate with its colorful artwork and intriguing mysteries.--Rachel Jussel