I have an odd contradiction when it comes to my comic love. I prefer Marvel movies but prefer DC graphic novel stories. This might be since I have yet seen that many Marvel characters branched into middle readers and young adult graphic novels. (If you know some, please send my way!)
Then I picked up Lois Land and the Friendship Challenge. I do not know if this was the second book in Grace Ellis’s series (or if it is a series), but the start of the story, feels like you jump right into the middle of the world Ellis created. We have Lois (age 13; wanting to be the worlds best detective) and her best friend. They play a prank on an older friend, they blame someone for threatening the owner of their favorite bike shop and then Lois bosses everyone around, tossing accusations about, not listening to her bestie and in general being none too likable. The feel of the story is too modern for my personal tastes. I never felt Lois really “got the message” when the case is solved a frankly (as I said above) she could be a nicer person. If this book does sound like something your child would like (and I do see modern kids liking the contemporary style of characters), I would say ages 8 to 10 will enjoy this friendship and mystery story.
The illustrations of Brittney L. Williams make up for any story holes that I saw. They are classic comic style of art and paneling. The details are plentiful but not overcrowding the pages. Bright colors and easy to see text, they bring to life the life and times of teenaged, Lois Lane.
