Realm of the Blue Mist by Amy Kim Kibuishi - ESSENTIAL

 Realm of the Blue Mist (The Rema Chronicles #1) by Amy Kim Kibuishi, 272 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Scholastic. 2022. $13

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Tabby Simon’s father was found dead after researching a mysterious tree that leaks mist. Tabby keeps returning to the tree to figure out what happened when one day she unexpectedly ends up in Rema, a distant world of magic and beauty that has extensive problems of its own. Tabby meets a handsome blue-haired boy named Phillip who helps her as she searches for the reasons behind her father’s death and a way back home. 

The world building is cool and the mysterious tree and ghost woman that visits it are intriguing. Fans of manga will relate to the art and the Tabby and Phillip are drawn to each other, making a nice little romance that adds to the story but doesn’t detract from the danger or the plotline. Sign me up for the next one.

Michelle in the Middle