Jeramey Kraatz

Interesting topic for a children's graphic novel!
I thought Charles was an interesting protagonist/viewpoint character. The book felt like it really transported me into the time period, with the expected social customs and how Charles gets reprimanded about politeness. The occasional "case fact" popups were informative. Like how refrigeration wasn't common and people just spent the summer getting food poisoning! I had always grown up having a vague idea about the case, having heard the famous show more rhyme, but I didn't know the details. It was interesting to see what happened to Lizzie after the trial!
The artist was really adept at facial expressions, and creating an ominous atmosphere. The monochrome colour scheme helped both with setting the time period, and hiding some of the more grisly aspects of this crime. Naturally, being for children, it doesn't show anything gory.
If this is meant to be a series, I'll check out the others. If someone wants to make an "I Survived" type series but about famous crimes, I support it. show less

4.5 stars

OHMYGOSHILOVEYOUGUYS

I'm so.. I just... *beams*
YES! YES! *fist-pumps several times, grinning like a maniac*
(Excuse my lack of coherency)

Ahem.
This is an excellent series, for middle-grade and beyond. Well-written and NOT preachy. They are human, warts and all! YES! YES! YES!

I was so itching to get my hands on this book that I completely forgot about some other worthy releases coming my way (shame on me, I know, but like any self-respecting Reader I have a Backlog of Books that keeps show more me plenty occupied).

Good Books in middle grade are really hard to find. I'm talking about books that grown-ups can enjoy as well. What sort of book appeals to just one age group? A bad sort, I tell ya!

FINAL VERDICT: GO READ IT!
(well, if you are into superheroes, I guess) show less

4.5 stars

Gimme MOAR!

Ahem. Sorry about that.
This series is awesome. I know my coherency leaves much to be desired.

What you need to know is that the first book in the series had some long-winded parts that made me want to skip. This one had me biting my knuckles and gripping the edge of my seat and worrying myself sick.

GIVE ME THE LAST INSTALMENT!
I'm definitely re-reading the whole thing when the last book is out! (possibly sooner)

FINAL VERDICT: READ IT

Kraatz, Jeramey. The Moon Platoon. HarperCollins, 2017. Space Runners 1.
The Moon Platoon is a near-future space opera aimed at middle graders. A group of promising teens is brought to a large hotel on the moon by a self-proclaimed genius-mogul to race space cars and moon buggies, play video games and compete to become one of the mogul’s permanent staff. As things develop, they also must save the earth from an alien attack. Think Willie Wonka on the Moon meets Ender’s Game. We follow show more Benny, a poor kid who grew up in a caravan in the American desert. The plot moves right along and does not hit you over the head with character drama. World-building could be better. The space racers look like sports cars on the cover and are never adequately described. Architecture, technology, and landscapes get a similar cavalier treatment. Finally, I wish the kids’ adventures provided some more specific information about science and technology. Kraatz could profit by reading some Heinlein juveniles. 3 stars. show less