APA Citation: Hatke, B. (2011). Zita the spacegirl. New York, NY: First Second Books.
Plot summary: When Zita’s best friend Joseph is abducted – and about to be sacrificed! – by an “alien doomsday cult,” what can she do but try to save him? Finding herself on a completely foreign planet, Zita has to take on the role of the heroine… though she has no idea how to do so.
Relation to other works: The wild adventures in Zita the Spacegirl remind me of Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet series. Some of the alien creatures reminded me of the monsters found in Hayao Miyazaki’s film Princess Mononoke. Zita the Spacegirl is also the first in the series.
Appeal: Zita is such a great character, and readers will fall for her courage and determination. This book also features some of the coolest alien creatures ever dreamed up. Not to mention that Hatke has this uncanny ability to infuse an awful lot of personality into characters that may only feature in a few pages. Bright, fun illustrations (though there is a darkness here, too, at times) are immediately appealing. Fast-paced and full of adventure.
Audience or readership: Ages 9-12.
Limitations or weaknesses: While both boys and girls will enjoy this book, it may look a little too “cute” for some readers initially.
Overall assessment: This is an awesome graphic novel for younger readers (and, actually, parents reading this will probably enjoy it just as much). Lots of laugh-out-loud moments, a plot that had me quickly turning the pages, and characters that I cared about almost immediately. Great story overall. Grade: A
KIDS LIT FTW! 