The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell, Jay Fuller, David DeMeo, Katie Schenkel, Kris Moore, Molly Muldoon, Vid Alliger, Manuel Betancourt, Michael Cole, Cloud Jacobs, Barbara Perez Marquez
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on June 5th 2018
ISBN: 1524719374
Pages: 288
Goodreads

Take the collective imaginations of a neighborhood full of kids, add cardboard, and you’ve got the perfect summer adventure. Sell started this middle grade graphic novel with the invention of the Sorceress and then invited other storytellers to create a character for the Kingdom, which they did with style. When Sell added the gorgeous, full-color illustrations filled with movement and power, the Kingdom vibrated to life. Through each character, issues of bullying, burgeoning romantic feelings, alienation, identity, cooperation, compromise, and friendship are deftly woven into this engaging book. The beauty of this GN is that it can be read over and over and each time more details and nuance emerge.  As readers reach the end of the book, they will feel empowered to connect to their creative spirit and perhaps to find other, like-minded people to share their vision. There is magic in putting oneself out there, in engaging in pure play, and in building a world where everyone can participate. This book will fly off the shelves on its own, but if it needs any help, recommend to readers of Raina Telgemeier, Jenny Holm, and Svetlana Chmakova.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth