Space Boy

Review by Booklist Review

The title of McCranie's latest is a bit of a misnomer, considering that the majority of the narrative focuses on Amy, a teen whose family moves back to Earth after her father is laid off from a deep-space outpost. But the enigmatic space boy does make several appearances, hopefully ensuring anticipation of the next volume. The bright, colorful artwork, composed of stylized, manga-like, retrofuturistic figures, is pleasing to the eye, though the narrative feels somewhat lacking as it builds up the world and story for subsequent story arcs; for instance, McCranie only momentarily touches on such tantalizing plot points as a mysterious murder, a strange alien artifact, and an unusual young man Amy can't quite read. These puzzling elements are assuredly going to be focused on in future installments of the series, so the lack of depth and complexity can be forgiven in this introductory narrative. With eye-catching art and intriguing hints of plots yet to come, this entertaining series starter should grab the attention of a wide range of readers.--Bittner, Rob Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 6 Up-Amy, 16, has spent her whole life on a mining colony in deep space. When her father loses his job, she and her family must move back to Earth. To make the 30-year trip back, they are cryogenically frozen. Upon awakening on Earth, Amy must adjust to life in a new place and time. Technology has drastically changed, her old friends have grown up and have children of their own, and everyone at her high school seems peculiar to her, especially a mysterious boy named Oliver. The characters in this graphic novel are a joy-so expressive and authentic, it's impossible not to care for them. Amy's synesthesia causes her to associate people with flavors, which adds dimension to the characters. Her mother is like mint, "sharp and bright"; her father is like hot chocolate, "sweet and full of gentle warmth." The linework is superb, the palette appealing, and the backgrounds dynamic-vivid yet subtle, they deftly illustrate Amy's flavors. The panel layouts mimic the original webcomic version of the book, with long flowing panels or sets of panels that advance the action smoothly and create lots of drama. VERDICT An arresting title with first-rate storytelling and beautiful use of color and design. For fans of graphic novels, sci-fi, or the webcomic.-Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT © Copyright 2018. 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.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

A high school sophomore from deep space struggles to adjust to her new life on Earth.Amy lives with her mother and father on a mining colony. When her father loses his job after a fuel-line accident, the three of them are deported to Earth. Amy is desolate over leaving her best friend, Jemmah, behind but departs on the 30-year trip in cryogenic stasis. At her new school in Kokomo City, Amy encounters physical and social challenges. She is weak from the change in gravity and has no classes with anyone her age, and everyone is constantly plugged into the internet via their "net gear" glasses. Meanwhile, a nameless boy is burdened by an invisible darkness, an archaeologist is mysteriously murdered, and a ship full of humans travels toward an enigmatic Artifact. The premise is intriguing, and the art is evocative, especially when it conveys loneliness, disorientation, and melancholy. However, sci-fi fans may be disappointed by a future in which the tech is all too familiar and uninspired by the passive heroine who mopes around in curve-hugging outfits and shoes so pointy that her feet seem nonexistent. Amy is white, but this future is diverse, with multiracial supporting characters (Amy's "reintegration manager" displays cartoonishly stereotypical Asian features).Readers will find heroines with more gumption, more interesting worlds, and possibly better shoes elsewhere. (Graphic science fiction. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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