Haunting yet filled with warmth, this luminous story of identity and belonging will fascinate readers.
In this translated graphic novel from Italy, Martino, who’s shunned for being different, is embraced by found family and reborn into a new identity.
In a small medieval European village, a child is born with albinism on the same day that two accused witches are burned at the stake, due to rumors that they were lovers. Martino’s cruel father, Girolamo, speaks of banishment but the protection of a defiant mother saves the baby—for a time. Eventually Girolamo agrees to the villagers’ demands to get rid of the “cursed” child. But little Martino escapes to the forest before this can happen, meeting Viviana, one of the burned witches who has mysteriously risen from the dead. Living reclusively, she takes Martino—who chooses the new name Rebis and finds joy in wearing gowns—under her wing, and they form a loving bond. When Rebis’ beloved sister, Maria, marries, the child risks being spotted by Girolamo and the villagers and attends the wedding. But Rebis is recognized and shunned again: “If you ever come back, we’ll burn you at the stake. Like vermin….” Lush, evocative illustrations draw readers effortlessly into this world of pain, retribution, magic, kinship, and love. This complex story invites and rewards repeated readings, with new treasures to discover each time within both dramatic text and cinematic artwork.
Haunting yet filled with warmth, this luminous story of identity and belonging will fascinate readers. (note from the author and illustrator, art gallery) (Graphic fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781250359087
Page Count: 192
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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