Artie and the Wolf Moon

Gr 5-8--When Artie disobeys her mom and sneaks out after dark to photograph a full moon, she discovers that her mother is a werewolf--and so is Artie. They return to her mom's hometown, home to a werewolf pack, so Artie can learn about her history. She soon realizes that there are things more sinister than werewolves and uncovers details about her father's disappearance while making new friendships and love interests. This exciting, plot-driven story will appeal to young teens struggling to find themselves and fit in. While Artie's quick acceptance that her mother is a werewolf seems a bit unbelievable, readers will easily overlook it. Artie is well developed; the supporting characters are less fleshed out but help move the action forward. The complicated family history and dynamics among some of the adults are genuine and relatable. The full-color, realistic illustrations are appealing, and the palette helps establish the tone for the different settings. Artie and her mother are Black. VERDICT Fans of graphic novels, realistic fiction, and the paranormal will all find something to enjoy in this book. Suggest it to those who devoured Emma Steinkellner's The Okay Witch.--Ellen Conlin, Naperville P.L., IL

In Oregon, Black eighth grader Artemis 'Artie' Irvin lives with her park ranger mother and attends Rosedale Middle School, where she spends much of her time in her school's darkroom, developing photos she's taken with her late father's camera and avoiding her racist, bullying white classmates. When an illicit late-night jaunt for full moon photographs results in Artie seeing a wolf outside her house, her world is swiftly upended, particularly once the wolf transforms back into her mother. As late bloomer Artie learns about her ancestors, she soon realizes she has a heightened sense of smell, and eventually transforms into a werewolf herself. Meeting fellow Black werewolves from her mother's hometown—including Maya, a new friend and crush—Artie discovers more about the father she never knew, as well as the wolves' sworn enemies. Debut graphic novelist Stephens offers boldly outlined, dynamic full-color art, with lovable, distinct, and expressive Black characters and sweepingly cinematic panel progression. This vibrant, fast-paced werewolf tale rejuvenates the genre with themes of Black family, community, and history, offering accessible dialogue and reimagining the folklore of werewolves with a striking premise that has a tremendous payoff.—starred, Publishers Weekly