SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

August 20, 2020 by Esther Keller

Review: ‘Animorphs Graphix #1: The Invasion’

August 20, 2020 by Esther Keller   Leave a Comment

In the early days of my work as a librarian, the Animorphs series took up a shelf, maybe more, in the library. It was wildly popular, even if I never got into it. With the success of Scholastic’s adaptation of The Babysitters Club, it is no surprise that publishers looked for other series to bring in a new generation of readers.

Animorphs book cover

Animorphs Graphix #1: The Invasion
By K.A. Applegate and Michael Grant, adapted by Chris Grine
Scholastic Graphix, October 6, 2020
Ages 8-12

When Jake and his friends, Rachel, Cassie, Tobias, and Marco cut through a construction site one evening, they see a strange light that changes their life forever. An alien spaceship lands and a wounded alien, an Andalite, emerges, warning the youngsters of the impending invasion of the Yerks, parasite-like aliens who take over other lifeforms and control their minds. He gives the youngsters the ability to morph, to change into any species, a power the Yerks don’t possess.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

When Jake realizes his brother and their principal have been possessed by Yerks, he knows they must try to save their town. And so, the group tries to become comfortable with their power and use their abilities to save those they love.

Since I never really read the original series, I can’t compare it to the graphic novels, but this was a wonderful start to a series that will be a surefire hit. The action in the illustrations and the bold, vivid color jump off the page. The characterization is well developed and sympathetic, so readers will care enough to find out what else happens.

While this series will appeal to all sorts of readers, adults looking to entice reluctant readers, especially boys, will want to keep this book handy.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
graphixk.a. applegatescience fiction

About Esther Keller

Esther Keller is the librarian at JHS 278, Marine Park in Brooklyn, NY. There she started the library's first graphic novel collection and strongly advocated for using comics in the classroom. She also curates the Graphic Novel collection for the NYC DOE Citywide Digital Library. She started her career at the Brooklyn Public Library and later jumped ship to the school system so she could have summer vacation and a job that would align with a growing family's schedule. On the side, she is a mother of 4 and regularly reviews for SLJ and School Library Connection (formerly LMC). In her past life, she served on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee where she solidified her love and dedication to comics.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

January 2023

Young Agatha Christie | Review

by Esther Keller

January 2023

Andy Warner's Oddball Histories: Pests and Pets | Review

by Esther Keller

January 2023

My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1 | Review

by Esther Keller

January 2023

History Comics: Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin | Review

by Esther Keller

December 2022

Heartstopper Volumes 1 and 2 | Review

by Esther Keller

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

One Star Review, Guess Who? (#181)

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Review of the Day: The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Monkey Prince Vol. 1: Enter the Monkey | Review

by J. Caleb Mozzocco

Heavy Medal

Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Readers’ Poll Results

by Steven Engelfried

Teen Librarian Toolbox

The Value of Innocence for BIPOC Students, a guest post by David Mura

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Looking Ahead: Our 2023 Preview

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

10 Standout Graphic Novels by AAPI Creators

First-Person Graphic Memoirs: 17 Recommended Titles

Graphic Novels for Cat Lovers

Reviews and Coverage of the 2021 Eisner Award Nominations

Manga, An All-Ages Starter List | Mondo Manga

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023