Graphic Novel
2018

I chose this graphic novel because I remember how much I liked the Goosebumps chapter books when I was younger. They led me to R.L. Stine's and Christopher Pike's older teen novels, which were both a natural progression. Not only that, but I see that the Goosebumps series is still very popular among my younger patrons - and with the movies being released, I thought this would be a good selection.

I also thought this would be a good way to pair DVD's and books. Liked the movie? Check out the series! Or vice versa. It could also be promoted as a book/DVD bundle. As well, perhaps graduating readers who typically stick to graphic novels to the actual Goosebumps series.

The targeted age group for this graphic novel would be 2nd-5th graders. It's just a little on the spooky side and some of the vocabulary is more advanced. The characters are Ginny - a younger, bookish girl with asthma and her older sister, Mia. They are visiting their grandma for a month. Mia has a leg injury requiring her to use crutches. While in town, they ask their grandma if they can go to the creepy bookstore - but they are denied. Later, when their grandma is sleeping they decide to sneak out and go to the store after all because Ginny wants to see if they have the book she is reading. Plus, it's open until midnight. Upon arrival, things aren't quite what they seem. Ginnie starts to speak backwards, there are signs pointing to danger, and the lady behind the counter is more than a little weird.

After following a sign that they definitely shouldn't, they end up in an amusement park called Horrorland with rides like Coffin Cruise, Doom Slide and Werewolf Village. They also meet the notorious Slappy - a ventriloquist dummy and a little monster named Irk. They need to race against time to find their way out of the amusement park or risk being stuck their forever. They may need some help from within to make it out alive!

I enjoyed this graphic novel - the illustrations are nice and just a touch haunting. The sisters are believable characters and I also liked that there is a small mention that they have two moms. There's not a big deal made about it, we meet them briefly later in the story, but it was nice that it was just there without a big production being made about it. Plus, it teaches children that families look different, and that all types of families are valid and okay. Additionally, if a child comes from a two mom or two dad family, it would be nice to see themselves represented in the story. ( )