Eli's Reviews

Creepy meets cute in this queer YA graphic novel about a young gardener who can see ghosts. Young love is complicated enough, but when Blue finds himself falling for Hamal who resides in the world of the living, things get complicated! I found myself rooting (please excuse the pun!) for these two characters navigating the intricacies of relationships amid the magic and mysticism of the afterlife.  —Eli

Sergio Ruzzier’s return to the colorful world of Fish with a new character, Wave, is just as fun and imaginative as its predecessor, Fish and Sun. This early graphic novel is perfect for beginning readers, with its use of repetition and phonetics. Combined with warm and playful watercolors, this makes for a great read for those new or returning to the series.  —Eli

In the years between 2010 and 2020, the Brooklyn drag scene shot to the forefront of queer entertainment, capturing attention with its slew of charismatic, unique, and talented performers who pushed boundaries and redefined the art of drag. This review of that decade will appeal to the queer popculture curious and the superfans of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the Boulet Brothers’ Dragula for its combination of historical context with personal insight into the lives of various legendary artists. —Eli 

Raul the Third makes his board book debut with this adorable bedtime story. I always look forward to what this author/illustrator comes out with, and this little book did not disappoint! Colorful, vibrant images combine with fun and easy bilingual English/Spanish storytelling as we follow along with Coco Rocho joining his friends for wonderful restful naps! And for the opposite of naptime, be sure to read My Party, Mi Fiesta for more fun with Coco Rocho! —Eli

Barb is a rough and tough young Berzerker who can’t wait to kick some monster butt! But when her pals get in trouble, she finds the unlikeliest of friends to help her on her epic quest to save them. For fans of sword & sorcery fantasy and cartoons like Adventure Time, this graphic novel will keep you laughing as you encounter monsters, wizards, and fighters alongside the charmingly silly and utterly lovable Barb the Last Berzerker!—Eli

Two cities in different countries are linked by a busy bridge, but when traffic stops moving, Little Lobo and the gang—who are attending the festival in their neighboring city—start a bumpin’ party right on the bridge! Raúl the Third’s artwork always dazzles me with its intricate details and, when coupled with subtle metaphors, makes this a fun and exciting read. This book is a colorful celebration of community that will appeal to English/Spanish bilingual readers and language learners alike.—Eli

Torn between following their passion for painting by working for the Razanei government and upholding their duty to their sister and the rebellion, Gyen Jebi becomes embroiled in the political and magical power of their art. As an artist myself, I found Gyen Jebi's passion and angst all too relatable! This fantastical steampunk world is wholly original with a slew of great characters. - Eli

Available in paperback

The child of a Jamaican father and a Greek mother, Michael grapples with his mixed race and queer identity as he grows up in England. Through poetry and drag, he discovers catharsis in expressing and embracing his truest self. The reader gets a real sense of Michael’s thoughts and feelings—delivered in first-person poetic verse—as he encounters racism (both experienced and internalized), strained familial relation- ships, romantic interests, and difficult coping mechanisms. — Eli

It’s training day for El Toro, and he’s got a lot to cover if he’s going to smash The Wall! But sleeping in sounds so much better than training…. Although I’m no luchador, like El Toro I too cherish my sleep. Lovably silly characters, dynamic graphics, and trippy colors make this a visually rich read. By incorporating Spanish and English, this book will appeal to bilingual readers and language learners alike. — Eli

Beyond our solar neighborhood exist glittering nebulae, tantalizing exoplanets, and ominous black holes. This book takes us on a journey to see these amazing phenomena through the great beyond with poetic verse and fantastic imagery that made me feel smaller than a fraction of a pixel! I especially appreciate the scientific explanations and definitions in the endnotes to support reading comprehension. — Eli