M.F.K.

August 21, 2017
Injured and lost in a sandstorm, Abbie—a deaf, tough-as-nails girl on a personal mission—is rescued and nursed back to health by a small family in the poor desert town of Little Marigold. But rogues with superhuman abilities, known as parasai, wander the barren lands surrounding Little Marigold, demanding tributes from the townsfolk, and Abbie reluctantly reveals her own powers in order to protect the town that has taken her in. Originally published as a webcomic, this first graphic novel from picture book creator Magruder (How to Find a Fox) unfolds over three chapters, setting the stage for Abbie’s adventures to come. Though this hero’s journey follows a fairly predictable course, Abbie is an appealingly gruff and reticent protagonist with a worthy foil in Jaime, an enthusiastic local boy who is determined to make inroads with her. Manga elements (such as exaggerated facial reactions for humor), a vividly evoked setting, and intriguing worldbuilding make this a fine choice for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and other adventures where culture, history, and magic intertwine with larger-than-life action. Ages 12–up.

September 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-The far-flung, sandy townlet of Little Marigold is plagued by bandits. But these are no ordinary thieves-they are "parasai." These revered sorcerers use their power not to protect people, as is their duty, but to steal from impoverished citizens, away from the close watch of the Confederacy. The drudgery of life in Little Marigold is getting to Jaime. He spends every day in the desert collecting sand with his grandfather. But one day, an injured girl washes up in a sandstorm, wearing strange clothes, carrying a mysterious container, and refusing help. Despite her protests, Jaime takes her to his doctor aunt, who tends to the girl and repairs her hearing aid. Readers soon learn that the girl is named Abbie, though she is hesitant to share much else about herself. Jaime is thrilled to have a new friend, even if Abbie's reticence leaves him wondering where she is from and what she is carrying. As Abbie heals and acclimates to life in Little Marigold, she is forced to confront not only the powerful bandits but also truths about herself and her painful past she had hoped to keep hidden. Many questions go unanswered, most notably the meaning of the title. The book focuses on the intricacies of this desert world, and the ending promises grander adventures to come. The illustrations are bright and cinematic, particularly in the rousing action sequences. The mild violence and language make this title more appropriate for mature readers. VERDICT Fans of animation and manga will be intrigued by this work; a good purchase for most graphic novel collections.-Anna Murphy, Berkeley Carroll School, Brooklyn

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2017
Grades 7-10 In an isolated town in the middle of a desert, Jaime and his grandfather discover a strange, gravely wounded girl wandering around in a sandstorm. They take her home and patch her up, but the girl, Abbie, just wants to get where she's going. Meanwhile, the town is beset by parasairoving, magic-wielding bandits who use their skills to bully powerless people. In a fight scene straight out of a western, complete with wagon wheels and a folksy mayor, Abbie and Jaime stand up for the townspeople, and Abbie, who's secretly a parasai, finally (perhaps begrudgingly) reveals her immense power. Parasai are unwelcome in the town, however, so Jaime and Abbie set off together on their own. Magruder's color-saturated, manga-inflected artwork incorporates subtle world building details in the background, and her charactersrefreshingly diverse in skin tone and body shapeare deeply expressive and imbued with dynamic movement. With crackling banter, an immersive fantasy, and lots of mysteries still unanswered, this series opener is perfect for fans of both manga and adventure comics.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)