Hereville

Graphic novel + Jewish girl + troll + witch+ meteorite = this book

I am reading ahead for my Young Adult (YA) lit class this semester. Graphic novels are  an important format in this area, so I have several  ahead of me. This one was a surprise.

Mirka is a Jewish girl with a stepmother. No, it's not like Cinderella at all. This is actually the second novel of this series. Mirka is plagued by a  meteorite that was changed into a doppelganger by a witch. It is fantasy in the modern time. While Mirka struggles with this new "her" that is taking over her life, she keeps it a secret from her stepmother and father. With help from her sisters and a friend, she is able to overcome a really hard situation. The story is peppered with Yiddish terms that are explained at the bottom of the page for those who don't know what they mean. The illustrations are very "Avatar the Last Air Bender" in style. Mirka's Judaism is central to her character and her actions. The importance of faith practices, family, and reverence is clearly illustrated in a respectful manner. It is a great point of view that is underrepresented in children's literature.

This quick read for an adult would be a nice little sit down read for any young reader. It is perfectly appropriate for readers of any age who understand the importance of honesty and being yourself. If I'm being stereotypical, girls will most likely gravitate to the emotion of being replaced. and boys will enjoy the fighting and sarcasm.

Overall, it's a fun story with memorable characters.