Name: Snapdragon
ISBN: 9781250171115

Kat Leyh

Snapdragon

Beautiful graphic novel. Each character was so memorable, and I deeply cared for each of their story lines. I read this towards the end of my Lola’s life. It goes without saying that this book about the relationship between a young girl and a grandmother figure was exactly what I needed. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Carmen

alex 

mighty dragon 

ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE I LOVE IT SO MUCH AAAAAH AAAAAAAAAAAA

Charlotte J. Ruth

*4.5

This was super cute!! Just what I needed after a long and exhausting week

Elizabeth Hagenlocher

This is such a sweet story, and I love how all the little details unfold and then get tied up, one by one. It’s a masterfully writen (and illustrated) tale with a lot of heart, and each of the characters brings something special to the story. A great read about self discovery and finding your power 😭💕
Also I definitely cried.

Sabrina D. 

Fraser Simons

A heartwarming and inclusive middle grade read about two kids, best friends, navigating their school lives while being ostracized for not performing their gender. Also a witch lives in town, Snap’s family is haunted by a one-eyed monster. When Snap looks for her missing dog at the witch’s place in the woods assumptions about people begin to be interrogated; a trend which continues throughout.

Quite enjoyed it. Quick read. The visual style works really well sometimes, at a particularly autumnal park, for instance. But generally left me feeling like it was fine. It becomes a bit gonzo as it goes on in the supernatural front and I felt that was a mixed bag for me. But it has more than enough heart to keep anyone coming back. Very enjoyable.

Flavia Louise

Really cool graphic novel. I had to get used to the art style in the beginning but ended up liking it a lot.

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

Things I love about this graphic novel:

Strong girl
Flowers
Good Boy pittie
Baby possums
Elders
One-eyed foxes
Spirits
Mama possums
Multicultural
Witches
LGBTQIA
Trailer Parks
Roadkill
Bones
Internet entrepreneurship
Halloween
Motorcycles
Mom and daughters
Thanksgiving
Grandmothers
Family

This is a TD Family Read that has made our October Break as full of adventurous fall days inside as well as outside, a story told with a great balance of spookiness, humor, friendship, found family, & understanding. 

Growing up in Southwestern Ohio, I settled right into the landscape of the story. Pets being hit by cars, omni-present roadkill, houses in the woods, living in a trailer, are all elements of my childhood and brought Snapdragon and her friends close from the opening pages. My dad was a game warden, so bringing home and nursing baby animals was routine, from fawns to baby raccoons. 

What's different here is the sense of community and acceptance of difference that is carefully built into the world of Snapdragon and her new friend Louis, or Lulu. They come of age together through beautiful moments where they connect through their outsider status, share clothes, hang out on hair day while Snap gets twists put in on the stoop, & sit on the trailer roof telling secrets. When Snap asks Jacks, the one-eyed old woman who lives in the woods and sells animal skeletons online, for help nursing a litter of possum joeys, little does Snap or Jacks know how much they have in common from family to supernatural powers. Through their unusual and initial grudging friendship, there are realistic continuums of love & acceptance here for all kinds of families and experiences. 

Snapdragon is story for anyone grades 5 and up who loves discovering secret powers, exploring multiple identities, uncovering family secrets, & caring for creatures great and small. And the best news of all is there is so much room for more adventures with Snap, Lulu, Jacks, Geebies, and Vi!

Readalikes:

Renee Delcourt

I really adored this graphic novel! It's so heart warming and deals with some topics that I wish more middle grade books featured. Snaps relationship with all of the people around her just makes me smile and I think this will be a staple graphic novel in my house. Love love love it!