Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill - ESSENTIAL

Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Oni Press, 2018. $13. 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL. 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Lana is a young girl who, with her dad, visits the island where she used to live and where her aunt Mae lives now. The island has just been hit by a major storm and they are there to help clean up.  While there, Lana learns more about her mom who died in a storm and about her aunt who has had valuable interactions with mystical sea creatures. The mystical sea creatures are trying to teach the islanders how to take better care of the sea by preserving the coral reef. After another storm hits the island, they are ready to listen to the messages of doing a better job caring for the sea. 

I am blown away by the gorgeous art in this book.  The aesthetics are amazing and there is an equally beautiful message conveyed through them about taking care of the ocean. The story of the young girl learning about her island heritage and her mom is also beautiful and tender. The book does a fantastic job portraying characters of color and LGBTQ characters. This book is a quick and easy read with an elementary age girl as the main character, but will appeal to readers of all ages.    

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher