Graphic Novel Review – Snapdragon by Kay Leyh (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Magical Realism/Graphic Novel
Length: 240 pages
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: February 4, 2020
ISBN-13 : 978-1250171115
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 5/5 stars
“ Snap’s town had a witch.
At least, that’s how the rumor goes. But in reality, Jacks is just a crocks-wearing, internet-savvy old lady who sells roadkill skeletons online―after doing a little ritual to put their spirits to rest. It’s creepy, sure, but Snap thinks it’s kind of cool, too.
They make a deal: Jacks will teach Snap how to take care of the baby opossums that Snap rescued, and Snap will help Jacks with her work. But as Snap starts to get to know Jacks, she realizes that Jacks may in fact have real magic―and a connection with Snap’s family’s past.”
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book that I borrowed from the library.
Story (5/5): Snap’s knows the town has a witch and when she finds her missing dog with the witch, Jacks, she realizes that maybe the town is wrong. Jacks is really just an old lady with a sad past who reconstructs roadkill into full skeletons that she sells online. When Snap finds some baby possums, Jacks agrees to help her learn how to take care of them if Snap helps Jacks with her work. What unravels is not only a solid friendship but also a connection with Snap’s past..and maybe even some real magic.
Characters (5/5): I really loved all the characters in here. Snap is different but sweet and caring in her own rash way. Lulu is Snap’s friend from school. He is a boy who self-identifies as a girl and Snap immediately accepts her for who she is and immediately helps Lulu show this to her family. Jacks was amazing too, just a very interesting person who is willing to help Snap learn what she is desperate to learn. I also loved all of our characters’ parents who were just so open, accepting, and supportive of their oddball kids. Snap’s mom really is amazing in how she is a supportive single mom that does everything she can to stand up for her daughter and manages to keep a sense of humor through it all. Really all of the characters in here were amazing.
Setting (4/5): I enjoyed the small town setting and the creepy area that Jacks lives in. It was all well done and very well portrayed.
Writing/Drawing Style (5/5): This was incredibly well drawn and the story was really really well done. Everything is easy to follow and the characters are completely engrossing. There is so much that is brought into this story and tackled. Everything from death, to self-identity, to same sex relationships, to bullying, to friendship, to single parenting, and even magic are tackled in this book. I was in awe of how this small little graphic novel tackled so many issues in such an entertaining and heartfelt way.
My Summary (5/5): Overall I absolutely loved this and was incredibly happy to have read it. I will definitely be putting Leyh on my watchlist so I can read Leyh’s future books. This was well drawn, packed an amazing story, and was just full of incredibly awesome characters. Highly recommended to all ages and readers.
