Topside

August 15, 2019
When a small mistake quickly snowballs, a young girl of color braves the strange surface of her planet to prove she can set things right. In a crumbling subterranean society like the Interior, repair technicians are essential, and Jo Wilson is one of the best. Skilled, vigilant, and committed to doing her job well and without help, Jo wants nothing more than to demonstrate her competence and expand her opportunities to fix what is broken. So when a minor mistake turns into a major problem, Jo is determined to rectify the situation on her own (and ideally before any Interior agents take notice) by traveling to the planet's ungoverned surface. But with forged papers, a clandestine mission, a con artist guide, and bounty hunters in pursuit, trouble is inevitable. Monk (editor: Enough Space for Everyone Else, 2016) has crafted a work that demonstrates the dynamic narrative balance so distinctive of science fiction in which a technology- and action-heavy plot is driven by thoughtful character motivations. Bogosian's (Kringlewart and the Crookedest Christmas Tree, 2016) art follows through with visual depth for a planetary setting that literally comes alive and a refreshingly gender-expansive and racially diverse cast. Some readers may be a bit disappointed with a conclusion that falls short in narrative complexity, but the likelihood of sequels for further exploration is an effective balm. Immersive, mysterious, and just the right amount of trippy. (Graphic science fiction. 12-17)

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October 25, 2019

Gr 5-8-Josephine Wilson is a busy mechanic responsible for maintaining the mechanical systems that her community needs to survive. Jo and her family live in the interior of the planet, where everything is run by a society called the Core; the surface is said to be a wasteland. When she accidentally leaves something behind on a repair job and causes additional damage, she attempts to fix the problem before it can be discovered. She forges an authorization to retrieve raw materials from the surface of the planet and ventures Topside. Her transgression is noticed by a young agent for the Core, who sets out to bring her back. A motley crew of bizarre characters, including a walking, talking shark and a lightbulb wearing a bow tie, help and hinder her quest. Navigating this dangerous and unpredictable path requires the skills of each member of the group. Jo learns that she is uniquely qualified to fix her world but that she can't do it alone. Monk has crafted a surreal yet warm tale of a young heroine coming into her own. Bogosian's fully saturated, at times chaotic panels are most compelling when directly accompanied by Monk's narration; without these textual cues, readers may have a difficult time determining which way is up. VERDICT This compelling, offbeat journey will resonate with future Douglas Adams fans.-Jennifer Costa, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2019
Grades 8-11 Josephine, born and raised in the Core, is now one of the employee-citizens responsible for keeping the Core running. It's not an easy task, thanks to a disintegrating infrastructure and a chronic lack of resources. When she makes a mistake on a job that causes a system failure, Josephine goes topside in an effort to obtain the material she needs to make the repair. Teaming up with a couple of con artists and bounty hunters, Josephine and her new compatriots race to find a hidden cache of supplies, with agents from the Core hot on their trails. Half the fun of this story is following the characters to their final destination. As quest stories go, the world building in this one is impressive. Both Topside and the Core feel fully realized, with wordless panels full of imaginative creatures, a diverse cast of expressive characters, and strong, evocative colors doing much of the storytelling. A dystopian sf graphic novel perfect for readers new to the genre.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)