National Book Award-winner Dan Santat (A First Time for Everything) reels in readers with this hilarious, literal fish-out-of-water middle-grade graphic novel about a rambunctious fishboy attempting to keep his identity a secret while attending human school.
On a dark and stormy Tuesday night in Barnacle Bay, a pirate chases a "creature" through town until it gives him the slip. The next morning, a new student notice is handed to the sixth-grade teacher announcing "Sashimi" will be joining "Barnukll Bae Elmmentree" ("GRAYD 6"). While the other children ask the new student "totally normal" questions--"Why don't you have a nose?"--the teacher asks outcast Joey to show Sashimi around. Sashimi slowly grows on Joey and, with the help of new friend and class goldfish Kevin, Sashimi and Joey embark on a quest to find the Beast of Barnacle Bay--a mythologized creature that Sashimi (who was raised by mermaids) hopes will be more fishman than merman. What follows is a small-town adventure with big-time laughs.
Santat once again astounds with how much energy and comedy he can pack into a small, blobby, orange fishboy. One incident in particular has Sashimi trying soda and leads to joyful chaos: "I can see through time!" Sashimi screams, a line of drool from his mouth, his eyes swirling colors. Sashimi, drawn with enormous and expressive eyes peeking out from his hoodie/normal boy disguise, is an elastic firecracker of fun. Overflowing with manic wit and charm, A Fishboy Named... Sashimi is bound to be the next great children's cartoon hero. --Luis G. Rendon