Another Kind

September 15, 2021
A group of special youth find themselves a family. In a clandestine meeting hinting at trouble to come, readers learn that there are six Irregularities, ranging in age from 6 to 16, and that malevolent interest swirls around them. These Irregularities turn out to be a motley group of charming kids with a variety of unusual qualities. One is a quiet selkie, always attached to her seal skin; another is a reptilian alien from a race that has disguised itself as human to infiltrate the government (which nods uncomfortably at antisemitic conspiracy theories that reference alien lizard people); one can turn into a bear; and the angst-y will-o-the-wisp is capable of malicious mind control. The young almost-people are safe in their sanctuary, the Playroom, but when they're removed by a double agent, they must find their way to safety as a chosen family. Classic comic-style art is effectively deployed to show intense emotion and fast-paced action, and in addition to being nonhuman, the characters represent a diverse group of racial and gender identities that are generally background to the plot. A satisfying climax with a harmless but clich�d resolution about the power of love makes this a fun choice ideal for a middle-grade audience with a taste for more relatable X-Men-style heroes. An irregularly enjoyable read. (sketches) (Graphic adventure. 9-14)

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September 24, 2021
Grades 4-8 Six young "irregularities" escape a bungled kidnapping attempt and go on the run These unusual kids are pursued by government agents as well as by a group of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators--but, worst of all, by a mysterious figure known only as the Collector, who has great plans and great appetites. The kids' quest for a dubious sanctuary is truly epic, as they learn that the world is filled with far more not-quite-humans than they ever imagined. Encountering humanity's intolerance but also its occasional embrace, they find that, indeed, their true sanctuary is in their acceptance of themselves and each other. May and Bream cast an enjoyably wide net in terms of irregularities, constructing relatable characters out of yetis, planet-invading aliens, fairylike will-o'-the-wisps, octopus tykes, and all manner of werecreatures. This makes for a huge world filled with wonder and a fine introduction to social (and pronoun) differences for young readers. May paints this world with intense detail, an expansive emotional palette of expressive faces, and inky blots of living darkness when rapacious evil rears its foul head.

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November 1, 2021

Gr 5 Up-At a remote government facility in the desert, six unusual kids growing up in an unorthodox pseudo-boarding school find their peaceful lives upended. The kids are cryptids, humanoid creatures with phenomenal powers-"irregularities," as they're called. Though their lives are somewhat typical, that changes when a creepy individual who has discovered their existence and is interested in "collecting" them tries to kidnap them. Thwarting his attempt, they embark on a harrowing cross-country journey to find a safe haven, all while the Collector's emissaries hunt them down at every turn. The six main characters include a reptilian alien (who comes out as nonbinary), a Nepali yeti, a Black werebear, and a young Cthulu with mixed heritage. Tertiary characters are diverse, with identified cultural backgrounds and gender expressions. There's much to adore here, from a richly developed, easily hateable villain to (spoiler alert) the ultimately happy ending. Lush, saturated colors fill the pages, and dynamic use of light and dark add charm to the characters, whose expressive faces convey endless emotion, including snark-invaluable in a book about teenage monsters. VERDICT Thrilling and packed with heart; an X-Men tale for the younger set.-Abby Bussen, Muskego P.L., WI

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