(2) 4-6 Color by George Williams. Sunny's back in her fifth 1970s-set graphic novel (Sunny Side Up, rev. 9/15, and sequels), here starting a debate team at school with her equally-uninterested-in-sports friend Arun. She learns how to consider both sides of an issue, to research using a variety of sources (including her own and others' lived experiences), and to always add the "secret sauce": passion. As ever, humor abounds, as when Sunny and Arun, in search of a debate-team adviser, tell a succession of teachers that they're their first choice. A sweet subplot concerns Sunny's friend Tony, who keeps trying to ask an oblivious Sunny out on a date but is continually foiled. The visual storytelling is excellent, with a variety of panel sizes, shapes, and placement. Resolved: this latest series entry is a winner.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Color by Lark Pien. Sunny (Sunny Side Up) begins middle school back in Pennsylvania with some trepidation; what's more, she faces it without the (complicated) presence of her troubled older brother Dale. The family drama is so, so good, resolved hopefully but honestly. The subject is manifestly serious, and the Holms respect just how dark the story can get while maintaining its mainstream appeal as a middle-grade graphic-novel comedy.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(2) 4-6 Babymouse: Tales from the Locker series. In this first entry of her middle-grade spinoff series, middle schooler Babymouse joins Film Club and undertakes the (wildly overambitious) epic Au Revoir, My Locker. Creative problem-solving and listening to friends help micromanaging director Babymouse develop into an eager and confident collaborator. The black-and-white illustrated-novel format naturally features more text than the Babymouse graphic novels, but fans will find many of the series' hallmarks. Glos.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(3) 1-3 In this twentieth graphic novel, imaginative couch-potato Babymouse's parents force her to join the swim team. She struggles in the pool and has trouble changing her mind-wandering ways--and her many pink-tinged daydream scenes are a hoot. The cartoons are highly engaging, and overarching lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and friendship are positive and relatable.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) 1-3 Squish series. In this eighth graphic novel, the amoeba's best pal, Pod, confuses everyone when he multiplies through mitosis. Meanwhile, in the latest Super Amoeba comic book (in black-and-white sequences), technology threatens to turn world-saving into a desk job. The usual appealing illustrations, charming text, likable characters, and well-integrated science will keep fans reading despite some plot holes (and the cavalier imprisonment of Pod's offspring).

Reviewer: Dorrie Karlin

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. When a science project goes awry, middle schooler Marvin Watson unwittingly creates a trio of giant moths as well as a monstrous spider, Caliban, who threatens all of Butcherville, home of Pork Loaf International. Like Dr. Frankenstein, Marvin must bring down the monster he raised up. The tale is pure fun, as readers witness a trio of outcasts bond while facing a common foe.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Matthew Holm. Color by Lark Pien. In the brother-and-sister team's semiautobiographical graphic novel, ten-year-old Sunshine ("Sunny") is sent to Florida to stay with "Gramps," and she befriends comics-obsessed Buzz. The truth surrounding Sunny's visit: back home her teenage brother is struggling with substance abuse. Matthew Holm's less-is-more cartooning is easy to read and expressive. Straightforward dialogue, captions establishing time and setting, and extended wordless scenes swiftly propel the narrative.

Reviewer: Patrick Gall | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(3) 1-3 Babymouse wants to throw herself the best birthday party ever, but then she learns her party will be on the same day as nemesis Felicia's. She tries to outdo Felicia and, in the process, discovers that the best parties don't have to be the grandest. This eighteenth installment sustains the graphic novel series' accessibility, warmth, and humor.

Reviewer: Julie Bartynski-Fenner

(3) K-3 Collected from the genre's top authors and illustrators comes eight funny short comics that explore the delights and pitfalls of recess. Readers will rejoice in seeing favorite characters such as Babymouse and Lunch Lady while making new friends in debut stories. Gray-scale illustrations are enhanced with pops of bright orange, keeping continuity while each artist's signature style shines through.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(3) 1-3 It seems like everybody is going snowboarding, and Babymouse is (sort of) up to giving it a try. After an afternoon of wipe-outs, she takes her instructor's advice: "listen to your inner voice." Unfortunately, her inner voice leads her down all the wrong paths. Babymouse fans will enjoy the extreme alpine adventure in her seventeenth pleasing graphic novel.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(3) 1-3 Squish series. Amoeba Squish runs into a problem when he trades his beloved Super Amoeba comic books for the time-consuming video game Mitosis. This fifth graphic novel's format is split between scenes of Squish's goings-on, his Super Amoeba comics, and scenes from the video game. The dialogue is snarky, pacing is brisk, neon-green-hued comics are energetic, and science concepts are woven in smoothly.

Reviewer: Margaret Nell Becker

(3) 1-3 Babymouse isn't the only one running for student council president--her opponents include enemy Felicia and her own cantankerous locker (who comes out ahead in the preliminary polls). Fans will enjoy this election year entry, as Babymouse daydreams (living in The Pink House, signing a bill for a no-fractions law) and learns hard lessons (sometimes the wrong candidate wins).

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander

(3) 1-3 Squish series. It's summertime and amoeba Squish heads off to swim camp (Power); Squish and his microscopic pals use an example from their favorite comic-book superhero to turn around their soccer team's losing streak (Captain). Fans of the graphic novel series will enjoy the electric green illustrations and Squish's black-and white dream sequences--and the snarky humor--in these third and fourth installments. Review covers these Squish titles: Squish: Captain Disaster and Squish: The Power of the Parasite.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 1-3 Squish series. It's summertime and amoeba Squish heads off to swim camp (Power); Squish and his microscopic pals use an example from their favorite comic-book superhero to turn around their soccer team's losing streak (Captain). Fans of the graphic novel series will enjoy the electric green illustrations and Squish's black-and white dream sequences--and the snarky humor--in these third and fourth installments. Review covers these Squish titles: Squish: Captain Disaster and Squish: The Power of the Parasite.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 4-6 Squish series. The brother-sister team behind Babymouse presents a brand-new graphic novel series starring Squish, a young amoeba. In his first outing, Squish channels his comic-book hero, Super Amoeba, to confront a bully. The Holms' characteristic humor--offbeat and snarky--comes through in both the text and lime-green-tinged illustrations. And yes, setting real-kid issues in a microscopic world works remarkably well.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(2) 1-3 Babymouse feels she simply cannot live without the Whiz Bang, this Christmas's must-have gift. The graphic novel's single-minded focus reflects Babymouse's all-consuming obsession, a condition with which readers are likely to be familiar. Her holiday-classic-inspired, pink-hued daydreams allow Babymouse to switch off the mania for a while. The sentimental lesson is obvious, but it's one that fits the season and bears repeating.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011

(3) 1-3 Squish series. In his second adventure, amoeba Squish escapes into superhero dream sequences to help him deal with the start of a new school year. Varied panel sizes and informational asides let the authors (creators of Babymouse) take full advantage of their graphic novel format, complete with Day-Glo-green highlights in the entertaining illustrations.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(2) 1-3 If Babymouse joins the mathletes, her teacher will ignore an F minus on a quiz. Babymouse's pink-tinted daydreams venture into epic fantasy territory, as she is encouraged by the Aslan-esque math coach: "Just because you're not good at something, it doesn't mean you have to be terrible at it, either." Fans of this graphic novel series will cheer Babymouse on in her battle against self-doubt.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2009

(3) 1-3 Babymouse is an understudy in the school musical, prompting fantasies of "The Phantom of the Locker" and "Annie-Mouse." Readers will find the same tri-color illustrations and easy, funny language as in other books; witty song parodies (plus a spoof of the American Idol judges) and the introduction of charismatic new classmate/leading hedgehog Henry Higgins make this tenth series entry noteworthy.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith

(2) 1-3 Babymouse sheds her pink-hued world for the orange and black of Halloween. Felicia Furrypaw tells Babymouse that girls have to be something pretty for Halloween. Should Babymouse go along with Felicia's rules? It's a relief when Babymouse finds her backbone and sends the bossy girl packing. Familiar situations, easy language, and an uncomplicated graphic structure make this series a hit.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2008