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Reviewed by: Emily McFarlane, Elementary School Librarian Title: Things in the Basement Author: Ben Hatke
Publisher: First Second
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 2-6 Genre/Type of Book: Fantasy Graphic Novel
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Ghosts/Scary Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: JLG Selection
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
An unexpected journey for both Milo and his readers.
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Review:
I have no idea what I expected when I picked this book up, but the story I got was not it. At first, you think this will be a simple graphic novel about a kid struggling to overcome his fears of spooky things in his basement, but it quickly turns out to be so much more.
Milo's mom has just had twins, and he is feeling left behind. When she asks him to go downstairs into the basement of the new house to look for his little sister's missing sock, the adventure that finds him is a surprise to both Milo and the reader at every turn.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are at once richly detailed and sparse feeling, lending a very mysterious air to the book. Milo is not drawn with any perceivable facial expressions, and the backgrounds are full of details but the colors are almost flat in each new area Milo discovers. This allows the small pops of other color to stand out starkly and bring focus to impactful moments in the story. There is very little text throughout the book as well, which makes the moments when characters do speak more meaningful.
This is a book that would benefit from many careful re-reads. There were many elements of the hero's journey sprinkled throughout, as well as many travails for our young hero. The cast of helpful friends he meets along the way are delightful and humorous, and you want to know what happens to them next. The fantastical character designs and locations you are taken to just add to the mystery and fantasy of the whole story. I would highly recommend to any fantasy and graphic novel fans, fans of the strange and unusual, and those who don't mind a story that takes you on an unexpected journey. It would also be good for your older students who are at a lower reading level, since the text itself isn't complex or dense, but the story is really imaginative and keeps you looking for all the little picture details. This is one of those books you really have to experience to believe!
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For more information about this book, see the Publishers Website
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