New Release: INVESTIGATORS: TAKE THE PLUNGE

INVESTIGATORS: TAKE THE PLUNGE by John Patrick Green
(First Second Books, Sept 2020)

Sewer-loving secret agents Mango and Brash are plunged into a new mystery―and a BIG mess―in INVESTIGATORS: TAKE THE PLUNGE.

S.U.I.T. headquarters is under attack, and Mango and Brash are going undercover and underground disguised as city sewer workers to unclog a sticky situation. But when their search for the criminal Crackerdile backfires, the toilets they travel through back up―and the InvestiGators take the blame for it!

Can Mango and Brash restore their good name and put the real culprit behind bars before the whole city is in deep water?

Select praise for INVESTIGATORS: TAKE THE PLUNGE:

• Kirkus review: “Young readers who like their humor dialed up to the max should feel right at home here with breezy bathroom humor, chuckle-causing wordplay (puns and goofy acronyms abound), and snort-inducing names… a surefire crowd pleaser.”

Praise for the series:

• “Ridiculous, absurd, and completely delightful – that’s my five-word review of the first InvestiGators book. I don’t know of any better book to hand to a fan of Dav Pilkey.” —Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes (exclusive excerpt)

• "…a very entertaining read. The fast-paced tale of a missing baker, a helicopter turned "were-copter," and a vat of radioactive cracker dough has heaping helpings of surreal alligator action and wordplay gags to keep new readers bent on solving the mystery. And the sharp illustration line, color and movement really pop." —Jon Scieszka, The New York Times Book Review

New Release: SÉANCE TEA PARTY

SÉANCE TEA PARTY by Reimena Yee (Random House Graphic, September 2020)

Growing up sounds terrible.

No one has time to do anything fun, or play outside, or use their imagination. Everything is suddenly so serious. People are more interested in their looks and what others think about them than having fun adventures. Who wants that? Not Lora.

After watching her circle of friends seemingly fade away, Lora is determined to still have fun on her own. A tea party with a twist leaves Lora to re-discovering Alexa, the ghost that haunts her house — and Lora’s old imaginary friend! Lora and Alexa are thrilled to meet kindred spirits and they become best friends . . . but unfortunately, not everything can last forever.

Select praise for SÉANCE TEA PARTY:

• Booklist review: “Yee’s art is loose and bright, and the colors are vibrant, bringing a diverse cast to life. An empathetic look at a late bloomer.”

• Kirkus review: “While this is Yee’s middle-grade debut, she is a veteran of comic books, and it shows. She artfully balances complex character arcs and suspense while bringing a touch of fantasy and wonder… A coming-of-age tale that is both comforting and wonderfully peculiar.”

• School Library Journal review: “A beautifully illustrated, bittersweet coming-of-age story for anyone grappling with the joy and sorrow of growing up, growing old, and moving on.”

• The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred review: “A perfect choice for young readers… Alexa and Lora show that nothing you love is ever truly gone and growing up can be a blessing.”

New Release: THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING by Natalie Andrewson (First Second Books, September 2020)

Natalie Andrewson brings E.T.A. Hoffmann’s surreal and fantastical story to life like never before in this vibrant graphic novel adaptation of the beloved Christmas classic.

Of all the gifts under the tree on Christmas Eve, only one captures Marie Stahlbaum’s heart: a humble nutcracker. He’s a curious little man, with kind eyes, sweet red cheeks, and a friendly appearance. And as midnight nears, he comes to life, revealing a fairy-tale world of magic and wonder, wicked princesses and fierce battles . . . and an ancient curse that can only be broken with the help of a true friend.

With the evil Mouse King looming and her dream world threatened, Marie will have to find the strength to stand up for her nutcracker―no matter what it takes.

Select praise for THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING:

• Kirkus review: Andrewson makes smart choices with her adaptation, refocusing the story on passionate and empathetic Marie... Her distinctive illustration style is well matched to Hoffmann’s story, with vivid colors, wavy linework, and exaggerated facial expressions that all reinforce the trippy, unsettling plot.

• Publishers Weekly review: A captivating, otherworldly adaptation for old fans and new.

New Release: THE CONTRADICTIONS

THE CONTRADICTIONS by Sophie Yanow (Drawn & Quarterly, September 2020)

Sophie is young and queer and into feminist theory.

She decides to study abroad, choosing Paris for no firm reason beyond liking French comics. Feeling a bit lonely and out of place, she’s desperate for community and a sense of belonging. She stumbles into what/who she’s looking for when she meets Zena.

An anarchist student-activist committed to veganism and shoplifting, Zena offers Sophie a whole new political ideology that feels electric. Enamored―of Zena, of the idea of living more righteously―Sophie finds herself swept up in a whirlwind friendship that blows her even further from her rural California roots as they embark on a disastrous hitchhiking trip to Amsterdam and Berlin, full of couch surfing, drug tripping, and radical book fairs.

Select praise for THE CONTRADICTIONS:

• 2019 Eisner Award winner for best webcomic

• Publishers Weekly starred review: “Appealing both to indie comics fans on the cusp of coming-of-age to those looking back decades to their own youthful follies, this assured, smart chronicle is a winner.”

• "The Contradictions is a masterpiece. Sophie Yanow’s tale of hitchhiking around Europe under the spell of a sulky, fixie-riding anarchist is a pitch-perfect portrait of youthful disillusionment and self-discovery. Yanow’s impeccable ligne claire drawing seems to mathematically cancel out everything nonessential in her panels, and the effect is surprisingly, even transcendently, emotional." - Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home

New Release: A MAP TO THE SUN

A MAP TO THE SUN by Sloane Leong (First Second, August 2020)

One summer day, Ren meets Luna at a beachside basketball court and a friendship is born. But when Luna moves to back to Oahu, Ren’s messages to her friend go unanswered.

Years go by. Then Luna returns, hoping to rekindle their friendship. Ren is hesitant. She's dealing with a lot, including family troubles, dropping grades, and the newly formed women's basketball team at their high school.

With Ren’s new friends and Luna all on the basketball team, the lines between their lives on and off the court begin to blur. During their first season, this diverse and endearing group of teens are challenged in ways that make them reevaluate just who and how they trust.

Select praise for A MAP TO THE SUN:

• School Library Journal review: “…an intricate exploration of camaraderie, teamwork, friendship, and expression with a BIPOC cast of characters. The color work is gorgeous, with dreamy greens, purples, and yellows setting a breathtaking, surreal backdrop….this tale shines.”

• Publishers Weekly review: “Leong elevates the classic ragtag-sports-team narrative by giving her characters grit and gravitas, and rendering their world of malls, convenience stores, and slumping apartment buildings in brilliant reds and purples.”

New Release: INVESTIGATORS

INVESTIGATORS by John Patrick Green (First Second, February 2020)

Mango and Brash are the INVESTIGATORS: sewer-loving agents of S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams) and scourge of supervillains everywhere!

With their Very Exciting Spy Technology and their tried-and-true, toilet-based travel techniques, the InvestiGators are undercover and on the case! And on their first mission together, they have not one but two mysteries to solve! Can Mango and Brash uncover the clues, crack their cases, and corral the crooks―or will the criminals wriggle out of their grasp?

Select praise for INVESTIGATORS:

• New York Times review: "...has heaping helpings of surreal alligator action and wordplay gags to keep new readers bent on solving the mystery."

• Kirkus review: "With its rampant good-natured goofiness and its unrelenting fizz and pep, this feels like a sugar rush manifested as a graphic novel. Silly and inventive fast-paced fun."

• Publishers Weekly review: "In high-intensity colors, straightforward panel artwork by Green (Hippopot­a­mister) offers plenty of slapstick gags to Brash and Mango’s tale. Fast-paced fun for the bad pun and dorky joke crowd."

• School Library Journal review: "Like the heroes of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man or Captain Underpants, the InvestiGators are bound to resonate with kids."