Sorceline

Gr 5--8--Strange things are afoot on the Isle of Vorn. The island is full of magical creatures, and Sorceline is there for the summer to study cryptozoology. She's a summer apprentice of the celebrated Professor Balthazar and hopes to win a spot as his assistant. Five other students, all of them clever in their own right, compete for the same spot. Sorceline's got a knack for spotting cryptids, though, and noting odd creature behavior, like pixies that come out at night. Not all of the kids in class get along, but once the students start turning to glass, Sorceline and her fellow frenemies must figure out what--or who--is behind the mystery. There's a healthy bit of tween romantic drama in the story. Alcide is smitten with Sorceline, but it's mysterious Merode with his hair flopped over one eye who will catch the attention of readers. The kids are so caught up in their studies and the bizarre happenings that they don't even notice the lack of contact from the outside world, and there's a lingering mystery about who Sorceline's true parents might be. She starts to wonder if her temper is causing the students and creatures to turn into glass, but there's something more sinister happening on the island. Antista's artwork glows and her creatures range from adorable to fascinating to spooky. Some of the plot points get a bit too lost in the weeds, but it's hard to resist the determination and allure of Sorceline. VERDICT Hand to kids who are obsessed with magical creatures. A good purchase for graphic novel collections.--Gretchen Hardin