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March 26, 2008 by Travis Jonker

Book Review: Jellaby

March 26, 2008 by Travis Jonker   1 comments

jellaby-cover.jpgJellaby
By Kean Soo
Hyperion Books for Children
ISBN: 9781423103370
$18.99
Grades 3-7

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There are graphic novels that stroll in, hit their mark, and bring the GN lover what they’re looking for. The recent “Amulet: The Stonekeeper” comes to mind. If you’re into the genre, you’ll be a fan – but it’s not necessarily recruiting new believers. Then there are your 741.5’s that have the ability to bring readers into the fold who have not considered said fold an option. “Jellaby” is one of those books. Honest emotional moments, humor, and mystery combine to make one of the best books of Aught 8.

Portia is an outsider, but not for the usual reasons. She’s smart and thoughtful. Her intelligence draws ire from her classmates and leaves her bored in her studies. One night, after a strange dream, Portia discovers a scared monster behind her house. How the purple creature ended up in her yard is not clear, but Portia is determined to keep her new friend a secret while she figures things out. In her efforts to keep “Jellaby” hush hush, she inadvertently pulls classmate Jason into the mix. Now they’re partners. A tip from Jellaby about her (his?) possible origins results in a secret trip to Toronto to find out the truth. The story ends just before the threesome reach the big city, with plans for a second book to wrap up the tale.

jellaby-page.jpg

I can’t help but think of one of my favorite movies, “The Iron Giant”, when reading this book. There is something about an outsider finding friendship with a really outsider that draws you in. The illustrations are on point throughout, using just a few colors to get the job done. Overall, the effect is an artful and beautifully subtle story that leaves you eager for more.

Also reviewed by: A Fuse #8 Production, Under the Covers, Charlotte’s Library.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Click Here to read a brand new interview with author/illustrator Kean Soo at A Fuse #8 Production. 

Filed under: *Best New Books*, Reviews

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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  1. Ode to Jellaby « Shelf Elf: read, write, rave. says:
    May 18, 2008 at 12:40 pm

    […] Review 100 Scope Notes Review A 7-year old’s review over at […]

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