Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani (review)

Shaheen's dad loves music; he's too busy monologuing about first pressings and Rosetta Tharpe to ask Shahi about her interests or read the books she recommends to him. His interest is quickly becoming an obsession, particularly in the form of finding a specific rare jukebox that may or may not exist. When a fight between them is followed by her dad's disappearance, Shahi is terrified he's hurt, and she sets off to try and find him. While scouring Dad's favorite record shop for clues, Shahi and older cousin Tannaz discover the jukebox he'd been searching for—and find out it can send listeners through time. Chanani (Pashmina, BCCB 10/17) is back with another graphic novel of magic, mystery, and familial love that is sure to delight old fans and new readers alike. With her signature bold colors, cartoonish characters, and bespectacled heroine, she offers both a primer on historic Black musicians and an intimate family portrait. While Shahi and Naz are as much friends as cousins, both girls take personal jabs at one another during their quest and must learn to forgive and work together to make it back to their present lives. Her father's tendencies to ignore Shahi's interests are complicated by her mother's busy work schedule and general absence, resulting in buried feelings of abandonment and resentment. These heavy woes are wrapped in dance sequences, witty dialogue, and loads of Pocky that lift this graphic novel into an airy adventure that begs repeat readings. End matter includes a playlist Shahi's dad would be proud of and details of Chanani's process that audiophiles and budding writer/artists will gobble up.