Cale Atkinson

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Library Thing's Early Reviewers program.)

We first met Simon the ghost and Chester the human boy in SIR SIMON: SUPER SCARER. Presumably a lot's happened between books point-five and four (case in point: Ricky's sleepover), but sadly I'll just have to speculate since I haven't read any of them. The good news is that it's pretty easy to jump right back in. (Although I still want to hear all about the sleepover show more drama.)

Anyway, Simon and Chester are now best friends who spend entire weekends together, acting out scenes from Simon's books; building epic and delicious Rube Goldberg machines; spoiling their resident rodent, the Great Moustro; and writing silly songs about their people-watching subjects.

UNTIL. (Duh duh duh!)

One day, Chester pairs up with a classmate for a science project. When Amie comes over after school, Chester asks Simon to hide - but just until he can find the right time to tell Amie about his spectral friend. Things go from bad to worse when Amie rejects Chester's suggestion of a baking soda volcano in favor of doing a project on ghosts (who Amie insists are gross, smelly, vile creatures). It turns out that Amie's father is an honest-to-goodness ghost hunter, and she "borrowed" his ghost trap just for the occasion. Will Simon and Chester's friendship survive this betrayal? Will Simon survive, period?

SIMON AND CHESTER: SUPER FRIENDS is a super cute graphic novel for younger readers. Simon and Chester are adorable AF, and there are plenty of butt jokes to go around. The plot also provides an unexpectedly salient lesson about stereotypes and bigotry, and ends on a cliffhanger that's both suspenseful and, well, maybe a little shocking. (Poor Lenny!) No doubt this isn't the last we've seen of Amie, and hopefully she and her dad will come to love Simon just as much as we do when they finally meet. show less

Oliver is a tiny blue, orange, and purple puzzle piece that doesn't seem to be a part of any puzzle he comes across. Frustrated with always hearing the word no, he cuts and glues to rearrange himself into a piece that will fit, but then he regrets having to hide his true identity. Will Oliver ever fit in anywhere?

Although it's perhaps almost too on the nose, I enjoyed this book for presenting a fun story about fitting in that kids can easily extrapolated to their own lives. It's important show more for kids (and honestly, some adults) to be reminded that finding your place might take a while, but it's ultimately worthwhile for both yourself and the others in your group. And it's very important to be true to yourself rather than hiding or changing your identity to blend in with others.

The illustrations are essential to the book and show Oliver's many attempts to fit in and his emotions throughout this process. show less

This is a fabulously fun and thoughtfully put together book. The story follows a ghost named Simon that instructs the layperson on the art of haunting. He inherits his dream job only to find that big dreams take big work. Through in some unexpected encounters and you have a tale that gets readers thinking about responsibility, friendship, acceptance. The art work is fabulous. Wonderful inking, great color palate, and animated drawings make the book pop while not losing any of the eerie mood. show more The hidden pieces of background artwork and items really add an extra layer of enjoyment. Great read, visually fun, recommended. show less

A little blue and orange puzzle piece searches for the place where he will fit, but keeps striking out. Other puzzle pieces, already connected, tell Oliver he is the wrong color or shape, until he's convinced that "being myself is getting me nowhere...Maybe I have to be more like them and less like me." Oliver tries to change himself; his first attempts don't work, but eventually he forces a fit. Only, that doesn't feel right: "If I have to hide and pretend I'm someone else, am I really show more still me? And if I can't be me, then what fun is it to fit in?" He finds some other misfit pieces - and they fit together. In the end, all the other puzzles Oliver encountered along the way were part of one huge puzzle - with pirates, astronaut unicorns, and monsters playing instruments.

The metaphor is obvious, but no less effective for that. Everyone feels out of place sometimes, but everyone belongs.

See also: Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham show less