Sparks! Future Purrfect

Charlie and August are back in Sparks! Future Purrfect, the third installment of the ever-popular graphic novel series “Sparks”. This time around, the dynamic duo is in need of a little rest and relaxation, but their much-anticipated vacation is anything but.

After rescuing a group of young children and birds from a fire at a local bird sanctuary, Charlie and August are exhausted. Reluctantly, they agree to a much-needed vacation on a secluded desert island.

Once there, August is having a hard time relaxing while the more adventurous Charlie explores the island on his own. What he finds, however, is alarming. The birds are holograms, there are dinosaurs roaming the island, and the trees are made of metal.

And this is when things get even stranger. They figure out that the aliens who abducted them in Sparks (www.cmreviews.ca/node/1715), the first book in the series, used holograms and camouflage to disguise a flying saucer that is, in fact, the very island that Charlie and August are currently stuck on. To make matters worse, the flying saucer has various time portals that transport Charlie and August to various places and eras.

After travelling in space and time, August and Charlie visit everything from the Wild West to Ancient Egypt when they get a fabulous idea, that of going back in time and saving themselves from the evil aliens who abducted them and ruined their lives.

After accidentally altering the course of history, Charlie and August realize that they made a big mistake and try to fix it. However, before they can make things right, they are sucked into another time portal and are taken to the present which looks a lot different. After briefly being reunited with her previous owner Emma, August realizes that they must go back in time in order to do what is right. Not surprisingly, Charlie and August fall into yet another portal, but this time around they travel fifty years into the future!

The future they visit is a wonderful place, one filled with fabulous inventions. August is happy to realize that Emma, who is now an adult, is an inventor who uses her love of science to make the world a better place. Determined, August and Charlie go back in time once more to finally make things right. In the end, they are able to fix their mistake and restore the natural order of things.

Sparks! Future Purrfect is another great entry in the “Sparks” graphic novel series. Not only is it hilarious, but young readers will be captivated by the fast-paced action of Charlie and August’s adventures. They are truly a dynamic duo, and the dialogue between the two is sharp and witty and reminiscent of many childhood friendships.

But what really stands out in this graphic novel is the character development, especially surrounding August. This time around, the reader learns a bit more of August’s backstory, in particular her relationship with her former owner Emma. Through touching flashbacks, the reader learns where August got her love of science and adventure, and, when Emma and August finally reunite, there will not be a dry eye in the room.

A thoroughly engaging read with bright, colourful artwork, Future Purrfect is highly recommended for young graphic novel fans everywhere.