★★★★★ 5
Draws You in to the Series
Format: Paperback
The Stonekeeper is the first volume in Kazu Kibuishi's graphic novel series. Although aimed at middle school, it is good for upper elementary school children, and is enjoyable for adults as well. 2 years after the death of Emily and Navin's father in a tragic car crash, Karen moves her children to the family's old house in a dense forest. Built by Karen's grandfather Silas who then disappeared, it has been abandoned for years. During the first night, they hear a strange noise, and Karen is captured by an Arachnopod, a creature from a parallel world, Alledia. Emily and Navin follow their mother into the parallel world where they find their ailing great-grandfather Silas. He tells Emily about the power of the amulet she found in his house. It is the key to ruling Alledia. Silas expires, but not before instructing his robot and animal minions to aid Emily and Navin. This first volume, besides setting the story arc, narrates the rescue of Karen. Unfortunately, she is poisoned setting up the next volume for finding the antidote.
Besides an engaging story with compelling characters, Kibuishi is a fantastic illustrator. As with many exemplar graphic novels the spare text is amplified and much of the story told through his illustrations. The creatures of Alledia are strange enough to pique our imagination, but not so much that they are totally alien in form.
After reading Stonekeeper, I am eager to see what happens next with Emily and Navin, and their company.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2014
