Lumberjanes

*Starred Review* The Lumberjanes Jo, Molly, Mal, April, and Ripley all attend a summer camp for hard-core lady-types headed up by a Rosie-the-Riveter lookalike who's surprisingly lenient when it comes to late-night sojourns into the woods to follow ghostly bearwomen. In a series of adventures, all of which exasperate the girls' beleaguered cabin leader, the girls use both their ample brains and pure brawn to defeat three-eyed foxes, a river monster, some talking statues, and a pack of finicky yetis. It's not totally clear where the quests are leading them, but that hardly matters, since each adventure is packed with manic cartoon antics, particularly when Ripley, in spite of her tiny size, literally hurls herself at obstacles. There are plenty of comic-book series with this brand of madcap enthusiasm, but Lumberjanes is the only one so dedicated to feminism in such a lighthearted way. Check out these exclamations: What in the Joan Jett are you doing?; Holy bell hooks; and Where the Phillis Wheatley were you? The girls-only cast and casual mention of postmodern social activists should in no way dissuade a wide audience, however; this is pure mystery-solving, bad-guy-bludgeoning, summer-camp fun, and with buoyant, off-the-wall art and well-rounded characters, it's already set up to be a hit.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2010 Booklist

The first four supernatural adventures of five young scouts-in-training at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Girls Hardcore Lady Types are gathered in this clever, funny, and just-creepy-enough collection. After a skulk of three-eyed foxes deliver the ominous message, "Beware the kitten holy," friends Jo, Mal, Molly, April, and Ripley are drawn into a world of paranormal goings-on that involves a mysterious lighthouse, a trap-laden underground cave, and a nearby camp for boys. With a cast of varied skills and temperaments, there's something here for everyone. Wild child Ripley doesn't hesitate to leap after the eagle that snatches her candy bar. April, who has the doe eyes and buoyant tresses of a Disney princess, doesn't just arm-wrestle a giant talking statue, she snaps off his arm in the process. Natural leader Jo is a math whiz, and the mutual attraction between nervous punk-rocker Mal and sweet-natured Molly is evident. Humorously riffing on everything from scout badges to the X-Men to feminist heroes ("Where the Phillis Wheatley were you?"), it's a sharp, smart, and most of all fun celebration of sisterhood that will leave readers eager for the Lumberjanes' future exploits. Ages 10-up. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.