Family Pets - Softcover

Gr 5–8—Thomasina, 16, has lived with her grandmother, aunt, uncle, and cousins ever since her own parents were killed in a freak car accident when she was five. The teen tries to understand why her life has been one of misfortune. Pretty much a loner, Thomasina's only solace is being in her school band. Her life changes quickly, however, when French horn player Smitty inadvertently casts a spell on Thomasina's family, changing them into animals and her pet snake into a human. To save them, Thomasina is driven into a portal to another world. She soon enters a dreamscape that threatens to keep her forever asleep and dreaming. Suspense builds with each chapter and readers will enjoy the humorous banter between characters and the mixture of serious and light subjects. Dill's black-and-white artwork has an animated, cartoon quality, utilizing a mix of spreads, variously size frames, and vignettes. VERDICT Recommended for most graphic novel collections.—Lisa Gieskes, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SC