Silverwing: The Graphic Novel

Gr 3-7–Fans of the “Silverwing” trilogy will be delighted by this graphic novel adaptation. Shade, the runt of his silverwing bat colony, is daring and questions the set ways of the older bats. When a storm wind separates him from the rest of the colony during their migration to the winter shelter of Hibernaculum, he must find his own way and decide whom to trust as he travels. Full-color illustrations make the characters easy to identify with distinctive features for each species (rat, pigeon, bat, owl) as well as for each individual. The mad rat king, vengeful owls, and the pigeon garrison are just a few of the dangers that Shade and his brightwing friend Marina must survive. There are also many natural details worked into the story and illustrations. The diets of the various bats, their use of echolocation, and even the way tiger moths can jam bat radar are all pulled from nature. Those realistic touches support the story of survival and help readers suspend their disbelief, and may also encourage research into the various types of animals seen in the book.