Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* This first (if we're lucky) in a new series of middle-grade graphic novels finds 10-year-old science nerd/wizard Julian Calendar entering a new school where he hopes to find the popularity that's eluded him all these years. Instead, he finds athlete Ben and bad girl Greta to be unlikely fellow gadgeteers. And their science alliance comes together not a moment too soon, as there's trouble brewing around a sneaky scientist looking to snatch the team's own invention notebook. Davis, who proved capable of similarly charming work with the TOON book Stinky (2008) for younger readers, celebrates smarts and blows apart nerdy stereotypes, all while piling on crazy gadgets and delivering lessons as to what's really valuable in life (hint: not popularity). Her figures have the rounded solidity of a (much) less intense Chris Ware, and her rooms are crowded with technology young readers will spend hours picking through. Some of the more feasible inventions are even accompanied by schematics for really motivated readers. This heaping helping of fun recalls the gee-whiz wonderment of Johnny Quest cartoons and, hopefully, paves the way for a whole new generation of bright, can-do kids in smart, edifying adventures.--Karp, Jesse Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Meet red-headed Julian, glasses-wearing science geek. Starting at a new junior high school, Julian is determined to hide his intelligence and his interests in order to be more like a normal kid and in hopes of not getting bullied and teased. Two unlikely figures emerge from the crowd: Greta, a tough girl known to be a "dangerous maniac," who wears a bike helmet at all times, and Ben, talented athlete and supposed "dumb jock." Julian is surprised to find that these two share his love of science, and the three form the titular alliance, inventing pranks and contraptions, and stopping a crime. Everything about this very original story works. The ebullient characters are well-defined and well-designed; dramatic tension rises and falls at just the right pace; dialogue is snappy, funny and real; and the art is stunning. Davis uses Rube Goldberg/Chris Ware techniques to create splashy and bright pages filled with curious machines, maps, diagrams and closeup details of secret laboratories. The story is sprinkled with inventions (including the "Distract-a-Dad," "Stinkometer," and "Secret Science Submarine") and facts about science, all designed to enthrall young readers with its sense of discovery. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-7-Julian Calendar, 11, is a supersmart transfer student trying desperately to fit in at his new middle school. Just when he starts to believe that he'll never find his place, he discovers two other brilliant minds and together they form the Secret Science Alliance. These three braniacs create their own book of blueprints for such cunning creations as "the stinkometer," sticky and dangerous gluebombs, and the flying "Kablovsky Copter." However, their blueprints are stolen by evil Dr. Stringer, who has plans for them. Davis's first long-form comic is packed full of detail down to every minute tool in the Alliance's workshop, and the flying words and panels move the story at a quick pace. Davis's creativity is evident from the myriad gadgets and schemes of the story. Children will see, through these inventions and the triumph of the protagonists, that science can be cool.-Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
