Review by Booklist Review
Full of puns, adventure, magical creatures, and girl power aplenty, this novel offers middle-grade readers a new way to enjoy Lumberjanes. Based on the best-selling comic-book series, and with occasional illustrations by Allen, one of the original series creators, this new story follows April, Mal, Molly, Jo, and Ripley as they discover a herd of unicorns and embark on a perilous, ill-advised mountain climb with surprising results. Tamaki expertly captures the tone of the series, in both its manic plots and its narrative style, and she adds in some meaningful backstory and conflict. April, for instance, is intensely driven, perhaps to a fault, and Tamaki offers insight into her motivations, as well as how her drive affects the other campers in Roanoke cabin. The primary focus, however, is on the rollicking adventure and the power of friendship, and Lumberjanes fans will be satisfied on that front. Occasionally, the cartoonish action and pace of the story, which was so successful in the comics, doesn't quite land in narrative form, but that's a fairly minor quibble unlikely to bother readers eager for anything and everything Lumberjanes.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
The same action-packed, girl-power flavor of the graphic novels extends to this first novelization starring the five friends from Roanoke cabin at the camp for "Hardcore Lady-Types." Geared to a slightly younger audience, the combination of strong female characters, loyal friendships, unicorns, and magic mountains will win new readers. Series fans will recognize Allen's dynamic style in the green monochromatic full-page and spot illustrations. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In a winning reversal, a popular graphic-novel series is adapted into a prose novel.At Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Pinniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, the Lumberjanes spend their days like many other scouts: earning badges, enjoying the outdoors, and spending time with friends. While working on their Living the Plant Life badge, friends April, Mal, Molly, Jo, and Ripley discover a field of strange blue flowers being eaten by horribly malodorousbut undeniably adorableunicorns. There the girls spy a mysterious color-changing mountain marked by an illegible but still ominous sign. The Lumberjanes decide to climb it in hopes of earning their Extraordinary Explorers medal. However, when the sassy scouts find themselves marooned on the mountain, they must use their Lumberjane know-how to save the day. Without missing a beat, this novelization has successfully sustained the fun, feminist feel and lively vernacular of the beloved graphic-novel series, a notable feat. This buoyant adventure will easily draw new readers to the series and should satisfy established followers. With its just-right blend of giggleworthy jokes, LGBTQ-positive characters, and affirmative emphasis on friendship, this middle-grade charmer can make even the coldest, bleakest day feel like a sunny day at summer camp. April and Molly are white; Mal, Jo, and Ripley are girls of color. Awesome to the max! (Fantasy. 7-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
