Middle School Misadventures by Jason Platt (review)
Buy Issue for $25 at JHUP- Middle School Misadventures by Jason Platt
Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-316-41686-3 $24.99
Paper ed. ISBN 978-0-316-41688-7 $12.99
E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-316-41687-0 $9.99
Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 4-7
Newell just wanted some pancakes on a typical Saturday morning, but he’s horrified to discover that it’s actually Wednesday, he’s late for school, and his principal has already threatened that if he misses another class he’ll have to make it up by taking summer school. To avoid that fate, Newell convinces Mr. Todd to let him perform in the school’s talent show instead; unfortunately, his nemesis Clara, an evil-genius-level nuisance, deviously signs him up to perform “as a penguin in a tutu.” Bill Watterson–flavored artwork in full color makes this adventure entertaining and approachable even to novice graphic novel readers, yet Platt’s humor is refreshingly distinct in both text and image. Newell and his dad regularly exclaim “Fart” after screw-ups, and fourth-wall-breaking flashbacks provide comedic charm to Newell’s visual storytelling. The penguin in a tutu performance turns out to be a stylish tuxedo-sporting number where Newell wins over classmates and teachers alike with charisma and kindness, finally earning his pancakes.
