Coretta Scott King and Printz Honor winner Kekla Magoon (Revolution in Our Time), American Indian Youth Literature Award winner Cynthia Leitich Smith (Hearts Unbroken), and debut children's illustrator Molly Murakami collaborate in the charming, quick-witted middle-grade graphic novel, Blue Stars, about two cousins adjusting to life in their grandmother's home.
Riley, who lives in Muscogee Nation, Okla., is moving with her family to live with her activist Grandma Gayle in Urbanopolis so her mother can accept a new job and her father can attend nursing school. Maya, who lives in Okinawa, Japan, is moving to live with Grandma Gayle because her parents are on active duty in the military. Riley misses her friends and cousins back home but is excited to spend time with Maya; Maya, however, needs some time and "private space." The girls are still at odds when they attend their first day of sixth grade; Riley quickly makes friends while Maya falls in love with the library and the Robotics Club. When the girls realize their vice principal is going to end funding for the arts and clubs to make way for more detention facilities, they team up to put a stop to his evil plan.
Magoon and Smith here write endearing characters with their own ethnic backgrounds, adding to the depth and authenticity of each girls' story. Murakami's stellar illustrations are strikingly demonstrative, her ability to re-create and amplify body language and facial expressions exemplary. Blue Stars is a compelling, funny first installment in a series that is sure to give readers tons of entertainment. --Kharissa Kenner, children's librarian, Bank Street School for Children