Manu: A Graphic Novel

By Kelly Fernández

Scholastic Inc. | ISBN 9781338264180 Paperback
192 Pages | 6.047" x 9.983" | Ages 8 to 12

Scholastic Inc. | ISBN 9781338264388 Ebook
192 Pages | Ages 8 to 12

Set at a magical school for girls, a funny and heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel adventure about friendship, defying expectations, and finding your place.

Manu and her best friend, Josefina, live at a magical school for girls, and Manu is always getting into trouble. The headmistress believes that Manu has the potential to help people with her magic, but Manu would rather have fun than fall in line. One day, a prank goes seriously wrong, and Josefina gets angry and wishes for Manu's magic to disappear... and it does. Manu uses a dangerous spell to restore it, but it makes her magic too powerful and nearly impossible to control. Great power comes at a cost, and it may be a price that Manu isn't able to pay!

Raves & reviews:

Praise for Manu:

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

American Booksellers Association Indies Introduce Pick

American Booksellers Association Indie Next Pick

★ “Fernández’s cartoon artwork in saturated tones and with lush, vibrant backgrounds dense with plants makes for charming, light-hearted atmosphere, within which she affectionately depicts the rich variety of love people can have for one another, such as the love of a parent, foster parent, or best friend.” — Booklist, starred review

★ "Drawing from her own Dominican experience, Fernández weaves together religion, lore, and brujería and creates a world in which magical powers bestowed by saints and evil eye necklaces work hand in hand. Fun, refreshing, antics-filled magical adventures." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Adorable... If you've got a kid who loves comics, Manu is a solid choice with some really lovely art." — NPR

"This adorable, vibrant, and fantastical graphic novel perfectly captures the power and magic of friendship." — Cat Chapman, bookseller at Oxford Exchange in Tampa, FL

"A funny, friendship-filled adventure. Manu, Josefina, and their classmates will be a treat for all kids but especially for Latinx kids who may have dreamed about a magic school whose classmates looked like them." — Brein Lopez, bookseller at Children's Book World in Los Angeles, CA