Con Quest!

May 1, 2020
Siblings compete in a scavenger hunt at a comics convention. Twelve-year-old twins Cat and Alex Gallo have been attending GeekiCon their whole lives with their comic-creator parents. This time, they're determined to win a scavenger hunt organized by the dreamboat star of the hit TV series Paranormal. Fan Cat hopes to spend time with the actor, and artist Alex aims for a TV crew mentorship. Their strictly conventional 14-year-old sister, Fi, has been charged with babysitting them, hoping to prove she's responsible enough for a camping trip with the cool crowd. Chapters alternate among the three siblings as the twins escape Fi to compete in the challenge. Fi isn't the only one after the twins--James M., a white, sexist con staffer who scorns "fangirls and fake geeks," wants them kicked out for participating in the hunt, which has not been endorsed by GeekiCon. The book's an absolute love letter to con culture, focusing on camaraderie and confidence. Instead of citing real-world pop culture, pseudonymous stand-ins (Whom, M.D.!) turn the text into a scavenger hunt of in-jokes for geeks. The actual scavenger items are challenging and entertaining, as is the resulting conflict between Alex and Cat, despite their strong relationship. The siblings are white, with a Slovakian-immigrant mother; Alex is autistic, developed with nuance and depth. Positive representation's given to a Filipinx character and to an adorably age-appropriate girl-girl relationship. The next best thing to actually attending a con. (Adventure. 8-14)

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June 1, 2020
Grades 4-7 Twins Cat (attention-seeking and competitive) and Alex (shy and focused) are at one of the biggest and most popular comic conventions, GeekiCon! They come every year with their famous comics-creator parents, but this year is going to be different. Cat and Alex are competing in an unofficial and unsanctioned convention scavenger hunt called Quest. Their goal is to upload all the items and complete all the activities on the list by the end of GeekiCon's first day. They quickly (and deliberately) lose their older sister, Fiona, in the throng of smelly cosplaying nerds. But while they're separated, Fiona makes an unlikely friend who opens her eyes to what convention culture is really about. Meanwhile the twins endeavor to work together, despite having different approaches to competitions. Maggs offers an exciting read as the siblings try to evade the villainous security guard, complete the list, and meet some incredible people along the way. A geektastic book for those who love conventions or who want a sneak peek into comic-con culture.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)