Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kekla Magoon, Molly Murakami
Series: Blue Starts #1
Published by Candlewick Press on March 5, 2024
ISBN: 1536204994
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

6th grade cousins Maya and Riley move in with their grandmother right before starting 6th grade.  They haven’t seen each other for years and have a hard time sharing a room.  They struggle to connect, but when they realize their detention-loving vice principal wants to take away their after-school clubs, they tap into their inner superhero and work together to expose him.  Kids in grades 4-6 will enjoy reading this fast-paced graphic novel where good overcomes evil in creative and unexpected ways.  Although race and culture don’t play a major role in the plot, there is a lot of representation found in this graphic novel.  The main characters are biracial, with Maya looking more like her Black father and Riley looking more like her Native American mother. Background characters are also diverse with illustrations depicting people of different races, religions, and physical abilities.  This looks to be the first book in a series and readers will no doubt want to see what this dynamic duo is up to next!

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library