Inkling

Moral conundrums rarely appear in middle grade novels. Or really any novels. It's much easier to write good and bad guys who only do good or bad things respectively and leave it at that. But I love complexity and ambiguity and myriad greys. So this is my jam. There's a blob of ink spontaneously turning into a sentient being once it escapes from the sketch book of a graphic novelist. Like every fictional new sentience it soaks up English and USian culture pretty quickly and without wasting too much in-story time, because a montage of years passing while a new being slowly observes and learns the complexity of human behavior, the way a human does, really stretches out the timeline.
Anyway, new life, new friendship, moral confusion about show more what is the right thing to do as for Inkling's well being, as well as to what extent a human should take advantage of Inkling's abilities. So that's good.
There's a family grieving the loss of the mother, the overwhelmed father and son struggling to maintain a semblance of the life before, and the dad is not quite making it. But again, ambiguity: he's failing his children, Ethan and Sarah, somewhat, but he's trying, and his grief is almost palpable, as is theirs.
There is also, surprisingly, quite a bit of intense skullduggery and a tremendous scene that leaves the reader a little breathless. That was unexpected too.
Also, there's a lot about art, and the creation thereof, and the emphasis on Talent that can impede the acquiring of Skill.
So really, there's just a tremendous amount of great stuff here that makes it a compelling novel for any reader, of any age. It is a standout book and I really hope a broad range of readers will give it a go.

Library copy. show less

This was such a surprise. Some books come at the right time and I am proof of that. The message this story has is powerful. It’s inspiring, breathtaking and very intense.

Ethan lives in his father’s shadow somehow. His classmates expect him to inherit his dad’s talent at creating amazing characters and drawing them, with this school project. Little do they know the struggle his family has had ever since his mom passed away. Hope emerges in the form of a drop of ink.

Inkling becomes a character that drives the family back to being one entity? It’s hope, determination and strength combined in one small element. Sometimes all we need is a bit of guidance, or at least a push in the right direction. While Ethan and his family learn to show more be together again, Inkling goes missing. If they will be able to find him again and what will happen to the fantastic drop, you’ll find out by reading the book.

This is one emotional book. I loved it and I loved the feelings it gave me. I cried and laugh with the characters and learned to hope and to work on my skills, if I want to improve them. A beautiful book that can be ready by all the family. 5 stars show less

I didn't expect to enjoy a story about an inkblot as much as I did. But this is sharply written & presents a compelling moral quandry for the human hero - with a dose of tragic/sadness (the loss of Ethan's mom). I found the magic of the living & communicating ink blot believable & LOVED the relationship between Ethan & his sister Sarah (who has Down Syndrome) & Sarah's relationship with Inkling.

Its a compelling & rich read - with enough drama & conflict to keep you really engaged.

I recommend it HIGHLY

It has been a very long time since I've read a chapter book as compelling, yet as fun, as Inkling. The characters breathe, and the story is thoughtful, touching, and funny. This is the first novel I've read by Kenneth Oppel, and I wonder how he hasn't been on my radar before, because he has some serious chops. I look forward to reading more of his work.

This book was provided to me free of charge. My review is given voluntarily.

Recommended Ages: Gr. 4-7

Plot Summary: Ethan is in the middle of a giant group project at school. They need to write a graphic novel together. Everyone knows his dad is the author/illustrator of a famous graphic novel series so everyone expects Ethan to be a really good artist. The trouble is, he's not. He can only do stick figures. As the designated artist of the group he's hoping his dad will giving him lessons but his dad has been really grumpy since his mom died and he's had a writer's block. Ethan is shocked to discover this blob of ink in his home that is alive. It can communicate with him, and he names it Inkling. Inkling is the one helping Ethan through the project and they become friends. Ethan takes care of Inkling being sure show more to keep him healthy. Ethan shows Inkling to his friend Soren, but should he show his dad? What happens if Vika or others discover Inkling?

Setting: unknown

Characters:
Ethan - caring, authentic
Sarah - Ethan's little sister, has down syndrome, speaks about herself using third person despite her family's attempt to correct
Soren - Ethan's friend, part of the small group writing a graphic novel
Dad - is Coma Dad in the morning before his coffee, then generally grumpy most of the day especially when he's gotten very little done at work
Vika Rylance - wants to be a graphic novelist, stuck up and sour towards Ethan, archenemies even through their families have no idea
Mr. Rylance - dad's publisher, worried about his publishing company not doing well and maybe losing their house in the future if they don't get another book that sells

Recurring Themes: loss of mother, grief, down syndrome, pet, friendship, group work, collaboration, writing, moral dilemma, cheating

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: The first few chapters do not represent the rest of the book. I fell asleep often at the very beginning but then became very interested in the relationships and family drama of the story. The book is well-written with lots of showing not telling. Ethan's feelings towards his dad are authentic. The characters are well-developed. Highly recommend to students who like the family drama of Harry Potter and not the action.

Genre: fantasy but reads more like realistic with a fantastical element

Pacing: medium-fast
Characters: very good character development
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: show less

A quick read about ink come to life out of an artist's sketchbook. The artist is Ethan's dad, drowning in a sea of grief and regret after the death of his wife. Inkling feeds on ink to learn and create. He helps Ethan with a school project and learn to draw. When Ethan trusts his dad with Inkling, his dad uses inkling in ways in which Ethan doesn't approve. The neighbor, VIka, is suspicious and she too tried to get Inkling.
Kind of charming. Very creative.

Ethan’s dad is a comic artist whose greatest creation, the mutant superhero Kren, brought him fame and glory. But after his dad’s string of successful books, a tragedy strikes the family and now his dad is completely stuck.
If only artistic talent were hereditary. Ethan is stuck on a graphic-novel project of his own at school and won’t own up to the fact that he can’t draw. When one night an ink-blot creation emerges from his father’s sketchbook, the family’s whole world begins to change.