The Wild Ones by Megan Lacera and Jorge Lacera came up in my online reader copy list. It is currently available, which is a good thing as you are going to want to get a copy for your young child. This is a cute story about faith in friends and monsters! Yes, monsters. Best friends love monsters (Frogzilla anyone?) and they are convinced there is a monster in the forest. When their home is slated for demolition for a new business to come into town, their only plan (well into the 3 or 4 hundred attempts) is to get the monster involved. The thing is, none of them can agree on which monster it is and therefore, how to convince them to help!
It is brightly colored and has just enough action to keep the reader going (probably around first to young third grade). All of this reminds me of a light Scooby Doo level. The colors, drawings and even the mystery. The only thing is, there is no Old Man Jenkins in the rubber mask!
The best part is that the four main characters are from different cultures. Therefore, their idea of which monster it could be comes from that background. We also are introduced to some foods and drinks from these cultures as well. It is not in-depth or takes over the main story which basically is that the “odd balls” or the “wild ones” stick together and help when times are tough. The illustrations really move the story along, and are telling the story as much as the text. Overall, it is a fun beginning graphic novel for the younger kids, but ones who want a little bit of a challenge. 