Max & Charlie

by Zack Lieberman

illustrated by Louis Neubert

age range: 10 years old and up

Exit Strategy New Media

Max and Charlie is a graphic novel for middle graders about the adventures of Charlie, a very imaginative boy, and Max, his unconditional beagle.

Max really is very creative and dreamy boy, with a impressive inner world, and he includes Max in all his adventures, for example exploring the universe aboard the SkyFhiter 3030, and saving an important crystal to deliver it to Earth.

One afternoon they are having a pleasant time at the park when Max sees a cat. Max chasing the cat, and Charlie chasing Max, they end both in NYC. Charlie doesn't know where his dog is, and his big adventure starts when he wanders around the city trying to find him. Charlie meets many people, and visit many places in an intriguing trip where is difficult to know what is reality and what is Charlie's rich imagination.

The art is beautiful, the use of colors wonderful, and the expressiveness of the characters amazing.

I think this is a very interesting options for kids and teenagers who enjoy graphic novels and dreamy plots.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The sandwich thief

by André Marois

illustrated by Patrick Doyon

Age range: middle grade

Funny story about Marin, a friendly boy who is decided to find the thief who has stolen his favorites sandwiches form his lunch box in the last few days. Everybody is a suspect: classmates, teachers, janitor, even the principal! A relatable character in a amusing story any middle grader would enjoy.

The illustrations are very creative and cartoon-like, in black, white, yellow and orange only.

Marin's mom sandwiches made me very hungry!

I received an uncorrected copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Doodle Adventures: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs!

by Mike Lowery

Age range: 6 and up

As soon as you open this book you'll discover you are not just a simple reader. You are actually the new recruit to go on a space mission with Carl the duck. So go grab a pencil because you'll have some doddle to do here. You'll need to do some paperwork, like fill a form and sign the Terms and Conditions of this book. This is an important mission. You are headed to the K-82 planet, the slugs planet, in order to recover a jar with a secret content that was stolen by Sleezoog, the slimy ruler of the planet. You'll need to help Carl to solve many situations along the way, so don't put your pencil down!

The idea of this book is really creative. The story is totally interactive. There are many spaces along its pages where the recruit is asked to draw and write as a way to be part of the mission. 5 stars! Looking forward to being part of more doodle adventures in the future!

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Stinky Cecil in Terrarium Terror

by Paige Braddock

graphic novel

Age range: 8 and up.

Cecil has a relaxed life at the pond, where his worst problem is hawk blocking the sun when he is trying to take a nap. This changes the day a group of school children arrives at the pond for a field trip. They find Cecil and take him to their terrarium at school. Any other creature would have been terrified, but lazy Cecil quickly learned the benefits of the terrarium, being the most remarkable being fed. Nesbit the chameleon, his "roommate", is a different story. He can be really annoying.

At the pond, Cecil's friends start planning a grand rescue. But they are not the only ones who want Cecil back at the pond.

Funny story with adorable characters. And a graphic novel for middle grade children is always welcome!

At the end of the book you'll find a chapter with fun facts about the chameleon and the garter snake (the other roommate at the terrarium), plus a guide to make your own terrarium.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.