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One of the reasons that graphic novels work so well for younger readers is that they're able to bring in a lot of material, lots of different issues, without belaboring any of them.An unemployed carpenter is looking for work so that he can give his really good son a birthday present. All he can manage is a cardboard box for them to build something out of together. Ignore the magical rules and carry on...there's no reason to make a connection with Gremlins. There's a rich weird kid named Marcus who'll remind you of the creepy neighbor from Toy Story. There's a Maker machine, which borrows more from Calvin and Hobbes than anything. There's the father and son's grieving for Carol, and the friendly neighbor Tina, and oh, so much.And it works as a cool and clever adventure that is creepy, but not too creepy.Update 3/26/13: So I recommended this to Tash for her next book. She liked it so much she's letting me read [b:Runaways, Vol. 8: Dead End Kids|2439175|Runaways, Vol. 8 Dead End Kids |Joss Whedon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348877384s/2439175.jpg|2446369] while she finishes this.Library copy.
