Around the Spider-verse An original graphic novel collection

Fans of who can't get enough of the vast world of the Spider-Verse will be eager to get their hands on this collection of three original stand-alone stories starring fan-favorite characters. The first story focuses on Araña and her relationship with her father after the loss of her mother. After her father is kidnapped, she must face off against the villains, Rhino and Ana Kravinoff. The second is a fun romp with Miles Morales and spidey bad guy, Mysterio. As always, Mysterio is full of tricks, but Miles is always one swing ahead. The final story features the return of popular Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson and shows the beginnings of their band, The Mary Janes. Created by talented writers and artists, the stories in this appealing anthology are perfect for middle-schoolers who love the superhero genre. Each familiar character is presented in a fun and fresh way that's sure to both satisfy existing fans while invitingly introducing them to new readers with just enough backstory. A nice entry point for middle-graders not sure where to start with superheroes.

Gr 3--5--This collection of three stories set in the Spider-Man multiverse will appeal to middle grade readers, even if they aren't very familiar with the classic superhero. Each story features a different writer and artist team, with a central character that fans of the Spider-Verse movies will instantly recognize. In the first story, Arana must rescue her father who has disappeared. Filled with humor, action, and sentiment, the story fits perfectly with the Marvel Universe. In the second story, Miles Morales learns the importance of doing his homework when a fight erupts in the museum and the key to winning is the reading he didn't complete the night before. In the final story, Gwen, aka Ghost-Spider, has a stalker and a big blowout with her friends puts her in jeopardy. All the stories have a distinct artistic style that feels unique compared to the classic Marvel Universe artwork--the colors are vibrant and the action-packed panels are fluid. VERDICT There is no denying that this is a fun read for young readers looking for more Spider-Man adventure.--Esther Keller