Ye

June 28, 2019

Gr 5-8-This stunning graphic novel introduces a world where sickness or anger is said to be caused by the Colorless King. Ye, a young man who can say nothing but the syllable "Ye," one day finds himself even more marked by the Colorless King. As he goes through an epic quest to find the king and remove his mark, he meets pirates, clowns, witches, and more. The text is spare, but the dialogue and Ye's narration are effective. The bulk of the story is told through the evocative artwork, which won Petreca awards in his native Brazil. While this may appear to be a simple story for younger children, the layers of meaning and subtleties make it a rich feast for older readers. The inclusion of some violence also makes this more appropriate for older readers. VERDICT A memorable and unique graphic novel about finding yourself and taking charge of your fears; a first purchase for most library collections.-Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.