Dan Santat (Sidekicks; The Adventures of Beekle) mixes the silly with the serious in the delightful adventure graphic novel The Aquanaut. Caldecott winner Santat, using his trademark illustrative style, creates a spirited and thrilling story for middle-graders.
Sophia, Santat's young protagonist, has lived with her Uncle Paul since her father died at sea. He had been doing research with his brother to help expand the mission of their marine park, Aqualand: saving endangered sea life. Sophia is depressed, doing poorly in school and struggling with the tragedy. Uncle Paul is so wrapped up in guilt and trying to maintain the mission of Aqualand--which, because his single investor wants it to be more of an attraction, is slowly turning into Sea World--that he's oblivious to Sophia's struggles. When she reaches out to him for help, his response fills her with guilt and sorrow, "Sophia, you have to understand. I promised your dad that I would preserve our life's work.... His legacy is important and I need you to be patient." This rejection makes Sophia particularly open to befriending a peculiar visitor to the marine park: an aquanaut in an old-fashioned diving suit. A diving suit that happens to be piloted by four rare sea animals on a mission. Sophia and the aquanaut have a connection, and they're soon off finding plenty of trouble for all the right reasons.
The authenticity of the characters keeps readers personally invested in their experiences. Sophia's anguish is clear when she enlightens her uncle, "They've been more of a family to me than you have lately.... I need them. I need someone." Meanwhile, the marine characters provide a lightness to the events--their bumbling efforts to understand the human world (what they call "space") are amusing and uplifting. Santat's sarcasm may elude young readers, but they are sure to understand his environmental messages: a father crab tells his child that a discarded can was "used to hold liquids for humans to drink." He continues, "It might be a great new shell for you to replace the small one you're wearing."
Santat's thick broken line creates a feeling of motion and energy; his dramatic use of shadows and his character's bulging eyes enhance the intensity and suspense; and his thoughtfully orchestrated use of panels heightens both the humor and tension. The Aquanaut is a moving and entertaining read that should engage adventure and science fans of all ages. --Jen Forbus, freelancer
Shelf Talker: This graphic novel leads readers on a gripping adventure with a young girl and her incredible friend from the deep, dark depths of the ocean.