Do you like puns, bad jokes, typical science fiction stories and friendship? Then you should try The Secret Spiral of Swamp Kid by Kirk Scroggs.
This graphic novel, for ages 8 to 10 (up to young 12) is a “what could happen if Swamp Thing was a middle school kid instead of being a big ol’ Swamp Thing Man” story. We follow middle-schooler, Russel, as he deals with being different (he has one very large arm, is green, has a carrot finger, tendrils and is pond scum). In middle school. Which is hard enough if you are “normal” but when you are a Swamp Kid? And have the head of the yearbook always asking you personal questions, it is very difficult. We see him deal with girls, bullies, sports and trying to find the right amount of sun to have for lunch. In his spiral notebook that is full of his doodles and journal entries we see how he learns to become maybe just a little bit more comfortable in his own skin. And just maybe, save the day from some horrible men in black and dark sunglasses.
The illustrations are clever, colorful and look like they are actually drawn in lined-notebook. They are bold and rich; jumping off the page. Perhaps not award worthy to the judges, but they actually are pretty cool. They are the perfect touch for a graphic novel for the younger crowd.
The story, facts and art are simple, straight forward, but not simplistic. There is humor, puns and even a couple of Superhero cameos.