#tbt: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

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Smile by Raina Telgemeier. 213 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., 2010.

#tbt features Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Smile, indeed all of Ms. Telgemeier's books are in high-demand at TMS. Smile is the memoir of Ms. Telgemeier's tween years, when an unfortunate fall caused tremendous damage to her teeth and resulted in dental work which impacted her socially and psychologically. 

Young readers respond to Ms. Telgemeier's humor, bold palette and dynamic panelling. Young Raina's situation is totally relatable. 

Smile was Ms. Telgemeier's Scholastic debut and won an Eisner Award as well as mentions in "Best Books" lists from YALSA and the Notable Books committee. It was also named a Boston Globe/ Horn Book Nonfiction Honor title. 

Middle Grade Monday: Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm

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Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm. 224 p. Sunny Book 5. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., February, 2024. 9781338792447. Review of finished copy borrowed from public library. 

Happy penultimate Monday of summer break! I hope to make the best of the remaining days. Middle Grade Monday features Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm. This is the fifth book in the Sunny series, which is loosely based on Ms. Holm's childhood. This graphic novel series is enormously popular at TMS. Sunny is settling into middle school, sort of. While her classmates have extracurricular activities, such as cheering, Sunny hasn't yet found hers. Then, her friend Arun talks her into starting a debate club.Sunny likes arguing, so she and Arun find an advisor. At first, it's just the two of them, and then, Sunny learns there's a lot more to debate than just arguing!

The artwork, by Matthew Holm, continues to shine. Bright colors and dynamic panels move the story along. Of course, Sunny in all her relatability continues to charm. Must purchase!

Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: Amulet 9: Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi

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Amulet #9: Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi. 256 p. Graphix/ Scholastic, Feb. 6, 2024. 9780545828659.

Happy Wednesday! Waiting on Wednesday features Amulet #9: Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi. This concluding volume in the popular Amulet series has been ten years in the making and will release on February 6, 2024. 

Here's the publisher synopsis: After her confrontation with Ikol, Emily finally understands the stone's power and what she must do to defend Alledia from the shadows. As she travels to Typhon to help her mom and Navin, Prince Trellis returns to the Kingdom of the Elves to save his countrymen — and confront the fraud who has seized power in the absence of a king. The threat of darkness follows all Stonekeepers closely, and it will take the strength of both new friends and old foes to conquer it... and survive.

TMS Library owns the first eight books in the graphic novel fantasy adventure series, so there's time to reread or get into the world. Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang

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Parachute Kids: a Graphic Novel by Betty C. Tang. 288 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc. April, 2023. 9781338832693. (Review of finished, purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! We finally had a weekend without rain here in northern NJ! Saturday was mostly cloudy, but thankfully windless and mild. I spent most of the day raking and blowing leaves. I almost finished them all, but darkness fell and I had no energy left. I took a nice hot bath, but was still so sore on Sunday, I couldn't finish the little bit I had left. Oh well. I did take a nice long walk in the woods with Boo though.

Middle Grade Monday features Parachute Kids: a Graphic Novel by Betty C. Tang. Ten-year-old Feng-Li Lin is excited about her family's trip to California. She can't wait to visit Disney Land. She and her siblings are unhappily surprised when they hear that only their father will be returning to China. Mrs. Lin will remain behind with the children, who will attend public school, learn English and have better opportunities. Then Mrs. Lin application for a Visa extention is denied. She leaves Feng-Li's sixteen-year-old sister, Jia-Xi, who speaks some English, in charge and returns home to China. You can probably imagine how hard it is to move household internationally, but can you imagine doing so without your parents? This graphic novel is based upon the author's experience as a "parachute kid" in the 1980s. An author's note defines parachute kid, a situation is when parents send their children to another country to live with either relatives or family friends.

The art is bright and energetic and keeps the reader engaged. The themes of fitting in and identity are relatable, even if this aspect of the immigrant experience might be unfamiliar. I had never heard the term before and found the entire situation very scary, as so much can go wrong even when the country and language are familiar! 

Parachute Kids: a Graphic Novel should have wide appeal and is recommended for all collections. Happy reading!

Fact Friday: Change the Game: a Graphic Novel by Colin Kaepernick and Eve L. Ewing.

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Change the Game: a Graphic Novel by Colin Kaepernick and Eve L. Ewing. Illustrated by Orlando Caicedo. 144p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., March, 2023. 9781338789652. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy penultimate Friday of the school year! Can you tell that penultimate is one of my favorite words? Fact Friday features Change the Game: a Graphic Novel by Colin Kaepernick. Young Colin was a multi-sport student athlete at his high school. Adopted by white parents, and attending a predominantly white school, Colin experienced casual racism daily. He was being scouted by colleges to play baseball thanks to his fastball, but he has doubts about playing baseball. No colleges expressed an interest in having him play football. 

This graphic novel conveys Colin Kaepernick's gradual coming of age thoughtfully, interspersing some excellent sports sequences. I'm not sure how many middle school students are aware of Mr. Kaepernick* or his social justice activism, but fans of football and baseball as well as graphic novel memoirs will enjoy this thoughtful entry.

*The Monday after Mr. Kaepernick first took a knee, I was standing behind an eighth grader who liked to stir the waters. He took a knee during the pledge, then looked around and saw me. He stood up immediately. I called him aside and told him that if he was taking a knee on principle and in support, I had no problem, but if he was looking to get a rise out of his classmates and teachers, he should rethink it. 

#tbt: Amulet #1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

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Amulet #1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi. 192 p. Graphix/ Scholastic, 2008. 9780439846813.

Happy Thursday! #tbt features Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi. Emily, her brother and mother are grieving the loss of her father in a car accident when her mother decides to move the family to her childhood home. It has fallen into disrepair and needs a good cleaning. While doing so, Emily finds an amulet in her grandfather's study and her brother helps her put it on. That night, Her mother is kidnapped by an arachnopod and Emily and Navin follow them into a parallel universe in order to save her. 

This fantasy graphic novel series starter is fast-paced and features amazing artwork. It is a TMS favorite. It has also won several state award since its publication in 2008. 

Middle Grade Monday: Captain America: the Ghost Army (Original Graphic Novel) by Alan Gratz.

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Captain America: the Ghost Army (Original Graphic Novel) by Alan Gratz. Illustrated by Brent Schoonover. 176 p. Scholastic/ Graphix, January, 2023. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed your weekend. We had torrential rain on Saturday and partial sunshine on Sunday. I was able to close my move ring despite the rain and crushed it on Sunday with almost twelve miles! Mowing my lawn needs about 1.5 miles of steps! The rest was walks with the Boo bear.

Middle Grade Monday features Captain America: the Ghost Army (Original Graphic Novel) by Alan Gratz. Mr. Gratz's many fans at TMS will be happy to know that he has written a graphic novel! It's historical fiction, of course. It's World War II and Capt. America and his feisty sidekick Bucky are in the fictional country of Transia on the eastern front. They're sent to help the British hold their position, but are struggling because they're outnumbered. Just in time, they hear the rumble of artillary, which sends the Nazi's running. It turns out, their saviors are just a few soldiers driving Jeeps, led by a Japanese-American soldier named Jim Morita. Morita's "Ghost Army" has been an effective tool, but little do they know that they will be facing an army of real ghosts that are immune to Capt. America's shield.

I am totally ignorant of the Marvel Universe myself and cannot comment about canon, but this was an engaging read. There's historical meat embedded in a quick-paced action adventure whose ending promises more to come. The art zings. 

Captain America: the Ghost Army belongs in all kinds of libraries. 

Middle Grade Monday: Nat for Nothing by Maria Scrivan

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Nat for Nothing by Maria Scrivan. 240 p. Nat Enough series #4. Graphix/ Scholastic, February, 2023. 9781338715422.

Happy Monday! Middle Grade Monday features Nat for Nothing by Maria Scrivan. In book 4 of the Nat Enough series, the principal at Nat's school is all about rules and Nat seems to break them alot. It didn't help that she was late for the first day of school and in her rush forgot to change out of her bunny slippers, but then she was caught running in the halls by him. He also issued a rule that all students should be involved in an extra-curricular activity. Nat's friends have no trouble finding their "thing." Flo joins puppetry and Zoe makes the volleyball team...with Lily, her former BFF. Not only does Nat not have a thing, her friends do and she's seeing them less and less, and Zoe and Lily seem to be getting particularly tight. What is Nat to do?

There are quite a few fans of this series at my school and book 4 does not disappoint.

Middle Grade Monday: Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas

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Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas and illustrated by Bonaia Rosado. 272 p. Extraordinary Leon #1. Graphix/ Scholastic, October, 2022. 9781338744163. (Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday! I am back to school after a week-long February break. It wasn't as productive as I wanted, but I got some of the chores done, attended a yoga class each day and took Boo for plenty of walks. The big news at school this morning is the anticipated snow day. Apparently, our area is bracing for six to eight inches! We'll see.

Middle Grade Monday features Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas and illustrated by Bonaia Rosado. Middle school student Leon doesn't have two things he desires - a cell phone and superpowers. He lives in a city where superheroes and villains coexist and where all of his classmates have cell phones. He lives in an apartment with his single mom, who is a nurse and his best friend lives one floor down. Leon has fashioned a green super hero outfit complete with cape and a utility belt despite being teased as a loser by his ex-friend Clementine, who is a shape-shifter and heads the hall monitor squad. Leon is an upstander, one who is quick to defend his classmates against bullies. After Clementine humiliates Leon at her birthday party, her parents ground her and take away the cell phone she was to receive as a present. The following day at school, Leon notices that all the kids seem glued to their phones in a zombie-like state except for Clementine and him. He reluctantly teams up with her to get to the bottom of the zombie apocalypse.

The action is brisk in this brightly painted graphic novel and series beginner. There's plenty of humor as well as realistic school drama from weird lunches to weird classmates. Leon the Extraordinary is Mr. Nicholas' debut. I'm looking forward to being entertained in the next installment. 

Middle Grade Monday: Jessi's Secret Language adapted by Chan Chau

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Jessi's Secret Language adapted by Chan Chau. Babysitters Club Graphic Novel series #12. 144 p. Graphix/ Scholastic, September, 2022. 9781338616088. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! I hope your Thanksgiving break was exactly what you wanted it to be. Middle Grade Monday features Jessi's Secret Language. This Babysitters Club graphic novel was adapted Chan Chau and is the twelfth novel in Ann M. Martin's iconic Babysitter's Club series to be adapted by Graphix.

Jessi is the newest member of the babysitters club. She's also a dedicated ballet dancer and the only African American student at school. When she agrees to babysit Matt and his sister, Jessi needs a bit of special training. Matt was born deaf and communicates through sign language and his mom wants to introduce Jessi to it. As Jessi learns how to sign, she gets an idea for a surprise for Matt and his friends at the school for the deaf he attends.

This series is quite popular at my school. I'm sure this installment won't spend too much time on the shelf.

Waiting on Wednesday: Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosockza

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Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosockza. 240 p. Graphix/ Scholastic, April 18, 2023. 9781338356328.

Happy Wednesday! Waiting on Wednesday features Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosockza. TMS Readers who are fans of Mr. Krosockza's award-winning graphic novel memoir Hey, Kiddo! will be thrilled to learn about Sunshine, which is due out on April 18, 2023.

Publisher synopsis: When Jarrett J. Krosoczka was in high school, he was part of a program that sent students to be counselors at a camp for seriously ill kids and their families. Going into, Jarrett was worried: Wouldn't it be depressing, to be around kids facing such a serious struggle? Wouldn't it be grim?

But instead of the shadow of death, Jarrett found something else at Camp Sunshine: the hope and determination that gets people through the most troubled of times. Not only was he subject to some of the usual rituals that come with being a camp counselor (wilderness challenges, spooky campfire stories, an extremely stinky mascot costume), but he also got a chance to meet some extraordinary kids facing extraordinary circumstances. He learned about the captivity of illness, for sure . . . but he also learned about the freedom a safe space can bring.

Now, in his follow-up to the National Book Award finalist Hey, Kiddo, Jarrett brings readers back to Camp Sunshine so we can meet the campers and fellow counselors who changed the course of his life.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat

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The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat. Illustrated by Joanna Cacao. 272 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc. September 6, 2022. 9781338741261.

Waiting on Wednesday features The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat. Honestly, is there any genre or format that Ms. Soontornvat can't write? She has written picture books, chapter books and novels. In fact, she won a Newbery Honor for A Wish in the Dark, which was featured here last December. Her latest work of fiction, The Last Mapmaker, is getting some award buzz. Her riveting account of the rescue of the Thai boys' soccer team, All Thirteen, won multiple awards. On September 6, her graphic novel, The Tryout, will publish. Here's the publisher's synopsis: 

Stand tall.

Be loud.

If you can make it through this, you can make it through anything.

It’s 1988 and Christina’s family has just moved to the small town of Weatherford, Texas to open the first Chinese food restaurant in the county. Christina’s mom is Texan and her dad is Thai, and it’s not easy being one of the only Asian American kids in town.

But with Nicole, an Iranian-American girl, by her side, Christina can almost handle the blatant racism her classmates direct at her and the micro-aggressions from adults, even teachers. Having a best friend protects her from a lot, but still, she knows she is far from being truly accepted.

So when cheerleading tryouts are announced, Christina and Nicole immerse themselves in the world of cheerleading to prepare. The cheerleaders at school are popular and uniformly well-liked. Could this be Christina’s ticket to fitting in, even being popular?

This multi-layered, personal story explores identity, racism, friendship, self-esteem, and staking a claim to the place you belong amidst heated competition and the Sturm and Drang of middle school. A rich contribution to the Graphix slate, as well as a breakout book for an outstanding talent, and also introduces the phenomenal artist, Joanna Cacao, in her debut!

We don't have to wait too long for this one! I can't wait and just know this one will be popular with TMS's many graphic novel fans. Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: The Aquanaut by Dan Santat.

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The Aquanaut by Dan Santat. 256 p. Graphix/ Scholastic, March, 2022. 9780545497619. Review of finished copy borrowed from public library.

Happy Monday! I'm approaching the halfway point in my summer break. I've read twenty books so far, well below my usual goal of at least one book a day, but I'm reading every day and enjoying nearly everything I read. How's your goal going?

Middle Grade Monday features The Aquanaut by Dan Santat. This is a sci/fi graphic novel centered around a little girl named Sophia, whose oceanographer father was lost at sea while on a research trip some years earlier. In fact, that disaster at sea is how the book opens, so be prepared. Fast-forward to today and Sophia is a distracted student living with her equally distracted uncle who is also an oceanographer who works for the an aquarium called Aqualand. Sophia's uncle is being pressured by the CEO and the investors to do something shady. He also promised to help Sophia with her science project. In the meanwhile, an aquanaut dressed in an old-fashioned diving suit emerges from the ocean near Aqualand trying to pass as human, but is, in fact being piloted by four sea creatures who had a connection to Sophia's father.

At turns hilarious, heartwarming and suspenseful, the art is just perfect. Rich, lush colors and perfectly paced panel placement encourages the reader to swallow this tale whole. I did, then turned back to page one for another read-through. I just know my GN fans are going to gobble this one up. 

Middle Grade Monday: Realm of the Blue Mist by Amy Kim Kibuishi.

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Realm of the Blue Mist by Amy Kim Kibuishi. The Rema Chronicles #1. 266 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., April, 2022. 9781338115130. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy rainy Monday! There was even a bit of thunder early this morning! Thankfully, I was able to get the hounds out between showers and only had to dry their undersides. They hate getting wet, but really do enjoy getting toweled off! I hope your weekend weather was as gorgeous as mine. I got a lot of yard work done.

Middle Grade Monday features Realm of the Blue Mist by Amy Kim Kibuishi. This is book one of a new graphic novel series called The Rema Chronicles. Fifteen-year-old Tabby Simon is still determined to discover what caused her scientist father's death some years earlier. Day after day, she ventures into the woods to Yggdrasil, the tree that he was studying when he died. The site is now off limits, but Tabby doesn't care. She's hoping to see the ghost that appeared to her father before he died. Instead she spots a beautiful, blue-haired boy disappearing into the tree. A hand reaches out from the portal as she approaches and Tabby finds herself face-to-face with the ghost woman, and she's terrifying. The portal leads to another world called Rema. The boy, Philip takes responsibility and promises that he will help Tabby find her way back, but that she must keep his secret.

The art in this fantasy graphic novel is utterly gorgeous. The worlds are richly colored and manga-styled characters are fully realized. The action is fast-paced, leading to a surprising twist and a cliffhanger ending that will leave readers panting for the next installment.

I found this graphic novel at the PTO/ Scholastic Book Fair and it's one of the books donated to the library by the PTO. I am the lucky recipient of many book fair books thanks to the PTO. Fans of graphic novel fantasy are going to love this. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein

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Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein. 208 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., August 2, 2022. 9781338194548.

Waiting on Wednesday features Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein. 

Publisher synopsis: Five students, each completely different — the brain, the rich kid, the tough kid, the jock, and the loner — are forced together to complete their school community service hours. Though school administrators gloss over these Latinx kids as all the same, the kids don't think they have anything in common with each other. None of them wants to be there, and each has their own issue they're dealing with in their life outside of school. But when they encounter someone who truly needs their help, will they be able to come together to work as a team — and help their community — after all?

By award-winning author Christina Diaz Gonzalez ("Moving Target") and illustrated by Gaby Epstein (The Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptations), this is a fantastic story told in English and Spanish from two incredible Latinx talents.

Middle Grade Monday: Share Your Smile: Raina's Guide to Telling Your Own Story by Raina Telgemeier

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Share Your Smile: Raina's Guide to Telling Your Own Story by Raina Telgemeier. 144 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., April, 2019. 9781338353846. (Review of purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. The weather here was quite unusual! It was supposed to rain on Saturday and be nice on Sunday. Both days were windy and raw, but the sun was definitely out more on Saturday even though it did rain at times. Neither day was particularly inviting to be in the garden, but I managed to fill six cans with yard debris. I laugh whenever I think of the time I wished for a bigger piece of property!

Middle Grade Monday features Share Your Smile: Raina's Guide to Telling Your Own Story by Raina Telgemeier. I'm not sure how I missed this book's publication in 2019, but Im glad I spotted it at our recent PTO/ Scholastic Book Fair! 

Ms. Telgemeier's books are TMS favorites and in this one, the graphic novelist shares her creative process to encourage young writers to tell their own story. There are writing prompts, family photos, step-by-step illustrations from thumbnail sketches to inking-everything a budding graphic novelist might need to know. There are also blank pages meant for the reader to sketch out ideas, but please don't write or draw in the library book, TMS Readers! Grab a separate sheet of paper to try out all of Ms. Telegemeier's ideas.

Middle Grade Monday: City of Dragons: the Awakening Storm by Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong

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City of Dragons: the Awakening Storm by Jaimal Yogis and illustrated by Vivian Truong. City of Dragons #1. 240 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., September, 2021. 9781338660425. (Review of a finished ppb courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Monday! The dogs and I survived the bomb cyclone. Well it kind of bombed in my area. We only got 5 inches and it sure was cold!  Son #1 is south Jersey got 9 or 10 inches. Son #4 in the Boston area got over a foot. Yesterday was such a sparkly winter day though! We went out often for short periods due to the cold, but they love the snow. 

Middle Grade Monday features a graphic novel series starter called City of Dragons: the Awakening Storm by Jaimal Yogis and illustrated by Vivian Truong. Grace is bi-racial. Her Chinese father died three years earlier and her white mother has recently remarried. They are set to move to Hong Kong, where her step-father works for a tech company. She is about to attend an international school. She's fine with all that. She even looks forward to the challenge.

She's given a challenge she never expected on a field trip. An elderly woman hands her an egg. Shortly afterward, it hatches and it's a dragon! She soon learns it's very difficult to keep a baby dragon a secret. She's also well-versed in Chinese mythology thanks to her father and grandfather and knows she must keep the dragon safe. Sure enough, there are beings both human and magical that are after the dragon, and, maybe, even Grace.

The energy of the palette as well as the varied panel layout add to an already cinematic plot and keeps the pace fast. Grace and her diverse group of friends are likable and that baby dragon is a hoot. Your graphic novel fans will gobble this one up and pant for the next installment!

Middle Grade Monday: Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer L. Holm

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Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm. Sunny series #4. 224 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., September, 2021. 9781338233179.

Happy Monday! Middle Grade Monday features Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm. Sunny is back in a fourth book! It's summer. She's hot and bored. All her friends are away doing something cool. She's stuck home and her mother expects her to babysit. Ugh! Her only bright spot is swimming at the swim club. At least she can get cool there. But then, she's offered a job at the snack shack and it doesn't hurt that she'd be working with a cute boy! Sunny's mom is not too keen on the idea. She doesn't think Sunny is ready for such independence.

Fans of this delightful series will not be disappointed. Sunny is relatable and often wry. The illustrations are energetic and the palette is pleasing. More Sunny, please!

Waiting on Wednesday: Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer L. Holm

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Sunny Makes a Splash by Jennifer L. Holm. Illustrated by Matthew Holm. 224 p. Graphix/ Scholastic, September 21, 2021. 9781338233179.

Publisher synopsis: Sunny has a political awakening after watching the news coverage of the infamous Love Canal environmental disaster. She is especially disturbed that poisonous chemicals were seeping into people’s basements “That’s where kids always hang out!” (It’s where SHE and her friends hang out.)

She and her friend Dev decide they want to start an after-school debate club to debate political issues. At first, they can’t find a teacher to sponsor their club because they are at a big football school. Finally, their quirky English teacher, Mr. C, sponsors the club and they start debating. Eventually, these two public school kids go on to win second in the state championship, debating Main Line private school kids. Along the way, she learns how to debate both sides of the issue and most importantly how to speak up. Incidentally, what they end up debating about in the “big debate” is delightfully boring — “cogeneration” or turning garbage into energy. (This is based on Jenni’s real-life experience.)

Middle Grade Monday: Miles Morales Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds. Illustrated by Pablo Leon.

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Miles Morales: Shock Waves (Original Spider-man graphic novel) by Justin A. Reynolds. Illustrated by Pablo Leon. 128 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., June, 2021. 9781338648034. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Middle Grade Monday features Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds. Miles Morales is just trying to get by in Brooklyn. He attends New Visions Academy boarding school by day and swings through the city streets stopping crime by night as Spider Man. When does this kid sleep? When a hurricane hits his mother's native Puerto Rico, she starts raising funds and Miles pitches in to help. Kyle, a new student, suggests that her  father might help. He gets his new employer to donate and then he goes missing. Two unusual interns also work at the company and were involved in a theft that Spider Man thwarted days earlier. Is there a connection between the girls, the rock they left behind, Kyle's father's disappearance AND the earthquake in Puerto Rico?

My knowledge of the Marvel Superhero Universe is paltry at best. That said, I enjoyed this graphic novel. Miles is a winning narrator, just trying to survive boarding school and figuring out what his art project will be. The art is energetic and vibrant and one of the final panels reveals a twist, which is presumably the basis for a future installment. I can't wait to see what my students think and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.