CM Magazine: Bug Girl: Fury on the Dance Floor.

________________ CM . . . . Volume XXIV Number 34. . . . May 4, 2018

cover
Bug Girl: Fury on the Dance Floor.

Benjamin Harper & Sarah Hines Stephens. Illustrated by Anoosha Syed.
New York, NY: [Imprint] (Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books), 2018.
297 pp., hardcover, $19.50.
ISBN 978-1-250-10663-6.

Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8.

Review by Johanna Beaumont.

***½ /4

Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

Amanda’s antennae smarted. She squeezed her eyes shut and thought of spaghetti to try to shot-circuit her impulses. Feeling her sensilla relax, she opened her eyes to follow the new girl’s snotty path across the cafeteria.

Bug Girl: Fury on the Dance Floor, a graphic novel, is a creative and interactive sequel to Bug Girl. Amanda Price, otherwise known as Bug Girl, has many insect superpowers, but she is also a relatable 7th grader, especially as she attempts to navigate the complicated social aspects of being in middle school when a new girl, Geri, arrives and quickly becomes the school bully. When Amanda’s friends start disappearing, she needs to work quickly and find out who she can count on to help her succeed.

Bug Girl: Fury on the Dance Floor is particularly aesthetically pleasing. Each page is adorned with a border and double-spaced print. The labeling of some the illustrations throughout the novel is an interactive aspect used when a new portion of the plot is introduced. Specifically, this is done to introduce physical characteristics of new characters, mapping science experiments and even detailing undesirable cafeteria food. The artwork, resembling hand-drawn sketches, look as if they were actually drawn by Bug Girl, herself. Additionally, real-life bug facts are scattered throughout the novel, including facts about fleas, ants and beaded lacewings. Perfectly dedicated to “scientists past, present and future”, this work of juvenile fiction is sure to capture young budding scientists and even children who have never been interested in science previously.

Highly Recommended.

Johanna Beaumont is currently studying for a Masters of Special Education at UNBC.

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