Thursday, July 20, 2023

Lo & Behold by Wendy Mass, illustrated by Gabi Mendez - ESSENTIAL

Lo & Behold
by Wendy Mass, illustrated by Gabi Mendez
, 218 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, Random House. 2023. $21 

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

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Middle schooler, Addie is off on a father-daughter adventure when he gets a summer job that takes them across the country. Addie isn't excited and is struggling to work through some family issues. Reluctantly she finds herself getting caught up in some projects with virtual reality and meets a new friend, Mateo, who helps her see her world differently. 

Anytime a graphic novel can move your emotions, it's a singular event. This book deals with some difficult issues but in such an enchanting way that you will be completely sucked in. Both Mateo and Addie are dealing with some private pain. Too often as both middle schoolers and adults, we tend to get consumed by our own problems and don't recognize that others are struggling. This is a great book for teaching empathy, compassion, and wonder. The illustrations add to the work and I hope to see more from this collaborative team. Mateo is Cuban and Abbie is Caucasian. 

Michelle in the Middle 


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