Zebrafish SPF 40

The graphic novel Zebrafish (2010) introduced a group of teens that organized a band to support cancer charity work. This sequel about the group's post-band summer (which was also produced by author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds and his FableVision children's media company) comes sharply into focus at the moment that band member Tanya, now a camp-counselor-in-training, discovers that a diabetic camper, Scott, has fallen ill-and it's her fault. Tanya was holding on to the pack with the remote control to his insulin pump, but she handed it off casually to someone else. "Scott said you had his-" starts her friend Plinko, and she's instantly stricken. "His pack! I do! I did!" It's a vivid depiction of the kind of absentminded mistake that's easy to make, but the rest of the story never achieves that immediacy. The dialogue and full-color cartoons are lively, and the kids are involved in worthwhile summer projects, yet the more sobering elements of the story-Tanya's leukemia (now in remission), Scott's diabetes, Vita's older brother's cancer research-seem at odds with the overall narrative arc, which is determinedly cheerful. Ages 10-14. (June)? (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 6-10-After a successful year, a band's members go their separate ways for the summer: Walt and Jay run a bookmobile, Vita tries to avoid responsibility and Plinko and Tanya are counselors-in-training at a camp where they meet enthusiastic Coley and cautious, restrained Scott. The artist's work in this follow-up to Zebrafish (S & S, 2010) seems somewhat more confident and smoother. However, readers unfamiliar with the characters may feel a bit at sea. There is little exposition about prior circumstances or relationships, and the fact that the characters have split into three camps (one literal) makes the story jagged and jumpy-it's less a sequential narrative than a series of character moments over time. Word balloons are occasionally placed in an order or position that confuses, and there are frequent blocks of dialogue that come across as staid because they are paired with a single, immobile image that can't successfully convey the evolving action. The tone is consistently positive, even when the story pauses to underscore the emotional seriousness of some of the situations. There is a foundation of optimism to every encounter, a belief that obstacles can be overcome and answers can be found. The book is chock-full of charm and aspiration, but perhaps so much so that it spills over in a jumble of enthusiastic disconnect.-Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.