Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters (2021), Volume 1

July 26, 2021
Inspired by their three daughters, the married team of Eisner Award–winning cartoonist Chris Samnee (Black Widow) and debut author Laura Samnee creates a lush fantasy brimming with gigantic prehistoric-like monsters, underscored by a resilient sisterly bond. Rainbow, a purple-haired, light brown–skinned girl in a pink hat and overalls, has been searching for her adopted younger sister, Jonna, a shorter peach-skinned girl with a cloud of salmon-colored hair and superhuman physical abilities, for a year, after a devastating monster attack destroyed their home. Finally reuniting by chance, the sisters set out to find their father, encountering a camp of monster fighters and survivors also looking for loved ones along the way. When a new monster stumbles onto their cave, however, Jonna shows her skills, and a slick-looking peach-skinned person named Saro offers camaraderie. While exposition is lacking, sparse dialogue allows Chris’s illustrations to shine, with scenic spreads in vibrant colors and clean paneling that emphasizes fluid, dynamic art. This immersive, fast-paced adventure focuses on building the siblings’ world, resulting in a spare but propulsive series opener. Back matter includes a note from the creators as well as activity pages. Ages 9–12.

July 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 Meet Jonna, a wild, high-flying girl who packs one heck of a punch. She was separated from her father and sister, Rainbow, after their home was attacked by one of the giant monsters inhabiting the planet where they live. After endlessly searching for Jonna at every settlement camp she could find, Rainbow finally finds a lead and drops everything for a chance of being reunited with her sister. The Samnees have created a thrilling, colorful setting for their readers, rich with mysterious world building and enticing questions--Where did the monsters come from? Why are they attacking the planet? Most of the threads are left tantalizingly unanswered, hopefully to be explored in future installments. The playful full-color artwork nicely blends the fantasy setting, particularly the backgrounds dense with detail, with cinematic, clearly drawn action scenes. Imaginative and engaging, this fantasy series opener should find an easy audience among a wide range of middle-grade fans of the genre. Pair with Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter's Dungeon Critters (2020) for another adventure with bigger secrets at play.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.