NORTH FOR THE WINTER

Animator Podesta deploys economic pacing and sitcom humor in this cozy mid-1950s-set graphic novel debut. Twelve-year-old Virginia Kay and her father struggle to connect following her mother's recent death. During the duo's move from Arizona to Colorado three days before Christmas, Virginia meets a reindeer that inexplicably flies away, leaving behind a glowing compass. Upon arriving at their new home, her aunt Frances tries to lift Virginia's spirits by decking the halls to the nines. Though Virginia isn't feeling particularly festive, she bonds with chipper tween neighbor Benny Alvarez, with whom she shares the secret of her reindeer encounter and the glowing compass. Enlisting Benny's older sister, the new friends embark on an adventure to reunite with the creature--and, perhaps, scrounge up some holiday cheer for Virginia and her father. Conflicts with zealous game hunters, suspiciously cheerful mall employees, and overworked Continental Air Defense operators inject hijinks into a story of family, trust, and imagination's power to uplift during life's bleakest turns. Flat coloring and simple backdrops emphasize the characters' emotive facial expressions and fluid movements across illustrations that sparkle with vintage holiday-TV-special charm. Characters are portrayed with varying skin tones. Ages 8--12. Agent: Jennifer March Soloway, Andrea Brown Literary. (Sept.)

Gr 3--7--Moving to Colorado days before Christmas is an unwelcome challenge for Virginia, but a chance encounter with a flying reindeer begins an adventure that will birth lifelong memories for her and touch the lives of people she has yet to meet. When she and her father get a flat tire on their way to move in with Aunt Francis in Denver, Virginia goes exploring in the woods, where she sees the magical creature. After moving in with Francis, Virginia meets her neighbor Benny, who offers to take her on a tour of the city. Virginia tells Benny of her chance encounter, and he insists that they go back to the woods to try and track down the reindeer. What follows is a magical holiday adventure filled with danger and excitement, but also warmth and comfort. Everything readers might want from a Christmas story is here: elves, magic stockings, a desperate race to bring gifts to the children of the world, and even an appearance by the man in red himself--plus, a surprise twist to a Christmas pastime. This story has all of the charm of a holiday TV special but feels original and fresh, with time-honored themes of friendship and belief. The art is pleasantly cartoony and whimsical, and the script is engaging and reads quickly. Those who don't celebrate the holiday won't find much to appreciate here, unless they simply enjoy a good fantastical tale for the holiday season. Virginia has tan skin and dark hair, and supporting characters have a variety of skin tones. VERDICT For patrons looking for a heartwarming, comforting Christmas tale, this is perfection.--M. Brandon Robbins

Searching for a lost reindeer sends two new friends on an adventure they'll never forget. Grieving Virginia Kay spots a reindeer out her car window during a move from Arizona to Colorado just three days before Christmas in 1955. She tries to tell her dad what she saw, but he gets distracted and almost crashes the car. When they arrive at Aunt Frances' apartment, Virginia meets her friendly new neighbor, the chatty Benny Alvarez, who's always up for snacking. After they spend the day together, Virginia decides she can let Benny in on her secret. Benny declares "We're in this together," and the magical twists and turns begin as they team up to search for the reindeer. The Continental Air Defense Command Center is tracking it, too, trying to identify the suspicious flying object. Meanwhile, another plotline following a separate reindeer tracker unnecessarily complicates matters. Still grappling with her mother's loss, Virginia hopes she can reunite the lost reindeer with Santa. Will she and Benny find it in time to save Christmas? The fast-paced story comes to life on the page through Podesta's artwork, which features expressive facial expressions, vividly rendered action scenes, and the effective use of color. Virginia and her family present white, and Benny and his family are cued Latine. Family, friendship, and shenanigan-filled bravery take flight in this Christmas tale.(Graphic fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.