Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Mensinga (Everyone Belongs) merges the contemplative tone of Anne of Green Gables with the wonder and stakes of accessible high fantasy in this warm solo debut. Strong-willed and creative young Alice, depicted with pale skin, has been sent by her parents to live with her austere grandmother on Prince Edward Island. Longing for connection and captivated by stories about dragons, Alice is delighted when--while exploring the nearby forest--she encounters an old, reclusive dragon named Brim. When Brim falls ill, Alice undertakes a solitary quest to save him, along the way uncovering more about her own unusual magical abilities that sets her apart from other Kindreds, humans able to telepathically communicate with dragons. Dynamic paneling imparts a cinematic atmosphere; soft line art and sprightly color palettes render evocative landscapes; and detailed character design subtly complements the graphic novel's emotionally resonant themes of identity, family, and courage. The story's relationships, particularly between Alice and her grandmother, are layered and, combined with grounded fantasy elements, result in a relatable, human story of loss, maturity, and self-discovery--a solid first entry to a promising new series. Ages 10--13. Agent: Mark Gottlieb, Trident Media Group. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--A charming, light fantasy graphic novel for dragon lovers. This cozy tale sports a spunky heroine, a quaint town in Prince Edward Island, and talk of kindreds and bosom friends, much like its inspiration Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. Alice, who was sent to live with her grandmother while her theater parents are away, desperately wants to become a Kindred, a rare person who is emotionally, psychological, and physically linked to a dragon by fairy magic. Her egg hasn't appeared yet, and her friend has joined the exclusive Kindred girls at school. When she connects with a misunderstood but ailing dragon by the woods, Alice struggles to figure out what's affecting him and where his Kindred has gone before it's too late. All the joy and beauty of Montgomery's books are captured in Mensinga's homage to the Canadian classic. Alice's caring and imaginative spirit moves the tale forward. The importance of friendship is at the heart of the narrative as the source of conflict but also its resolution. The pacing and character development is excellent, and the jewel-tone illustrations are warm and inviting. Fans of the original will recognize the familiar beats but with a magical twist. Readers new to the story will easily be immersed in this work because of the subtle and nuanced worldbuilding. Hints of prejudice against the Kindred community and secrets revealed in the last act hint at a possible sequel. Alice appears to be white, her best friend and other secondary characters have brown skin and textured hair. VERDICT A sweet way to introduce "Anne" books to newbies and a dragon fantasy for fans and potential converts.--Shelley M. Diaz
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A girl dreams of a dragon of her own. Poking around on Prince Edward Island under her grandmother's watchful eye, Alice is sullen as her friends begin to receive dragon eggs to care for. In Alice's world, heavily inspired by Lucy Maud Montgomery'sAnne of Green Gables (1908), dragons are linked to "kindred" humans for life; they work as a team and ultimately even die together. Being a kindred runs in families, however, and because Alice's grandmother adopted her children, she won't pass down the gift. But with the help of Brim, an elderly dragon skulking around the nearby woods, Alice discovers that she possesses a unique talent--one that will help her protect Brim as he grows ill. This graphic novel offers an intricate vision of early-19th-century rural Canada. With grace and consideration, Mensinga touches on relationships between women and girls, concepts of adoptive and found family, and class conflict. Her illustrations are a joy; muted pastel drawings invoke both the quiet beauty of rural life and the lyrical elegance of dragons at rest and in flight. Middle-grade readers seeking meaning and adventure will appreciate Alice's steadfast commitment to defending and caring for these majestic beasts. Alice has pale, freckled skin, her grandmother is brown-skinned, and their community is diverse. At once tender and bold, a thoughtful, lovely fantasy.(Graphic fantasy. 9-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
