The Lost Islands

Gr 4 Up—Carrying on the spirit of the much-loved "Flight" anthologies, Kibuishi continues his vision in this graphic novel that's filled with imaginative and kid-friendly stories. The book's variety is its greatest strength, creating mass appeal for a wide audience through an excellent mix of art styles, tones, and themes. Jake Parker starts off with a clever and retro-looking story about an island of lazy bunnies that forget the meaning of hard work. Chrystin Garland expertly takes the island motif in a complete different direction with a curious girl who must escape from an island of ghosts. Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier's "Desert Island Playlist" does not disappoint with its thought-provoking story about a girl trying to find herself, although it may be Michel Gagné who steals the show with a visually stunning tale about a school of fish fleeing an erupting underwater volcano. Ending on Kibuishi's own cautionary tale about a power-driven sea captain, Lost Islands is a great sequel to The Mystery Boxes (Abrams, 2012) that is masterfully told and beautifully drawn. A must-have for any collection.—Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, W