Wildcats by Crystal Velásquez

Today's read seems like quite the adventure. I'm getting Anubis vibes and hints of jungle dangers. Or maybe not, since middle school is involved. It should hold quite a bit adventure and tension...and...oh, I don't know.

Let's just dive in and find out.

lso, it's Monday! That means the Marvelous Middle Grade list is up with a list or recommended reads from lovers and knowers of the genre. Just head on over HERE!

WILDCATS

by Crystal Velásquez

Illustrated by Eva Cabrera

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy

Graphic Novel

192 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING...

JUNE 24th!!!

Mina is just an average middle schooler. But when she starts attending a new boarding school that her parents also attended, she and three other girls learn that they have generational powers that turn them into wild cats. Navigating this new reality, the girls will have to use their powers to figure out the mysterious temple that sits under the school’s museum, and defeat the evil forces who want to unleash chaos on the school…and the world.

As Mina struggles to navigate the cliques of her new school she is taken under the wing of Miss Benitez, a mysterious but kind history teacher. She tells Mina and three other girls—Lin, Ana, and Shani—that their families gifted the priceless objects housed in the school’s museum. Ms. Benitez thinks it’s important that the girls understand their ancestry.

It turns out that Ms. Benitez is the curator of the museum, and it sits on top of a mysterious temple, the ancient meeting place of a dangerous group called the Brotherhood of Chaos. When one of the priceless objects is shattered, the girls find out exactly why their heritage is so it gives them the power to turn into wild cats. Now, in the form of a jaguar, a tiger, a puma, and a lion, they must work together to fight the chaos spirits that were unleashed when the object was shattered…and uncover the terrifying plans of those who want to resurrect the Brotherhood of Chaos.

Wild Cats is full of adventure, heart, and friendship. This full-color graphic novel is ripe for fans of mythology, superheroes, and, of course, cats!

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Adventure meets middle school drama with danger and intrigue as four very different girls need to save the world.

Mina just started the new school, but she's having problems dealing with the kids around her. Her roommate seems over-zealous in making her a best friend, but the girl isn't really on the same wave length as Mina with interests surrounding fashion, social status, and a bit of manipulation to stay popular. Not only is Mina not really interested in all of this (and finds it mean), but she's dealing with secrets no one would ever understand. When Mina's roommate pushes bullying up a notch with a girl in class, Mina can't take anymore and finds her anger forcing her secret to the surface—she changes into a puma. It's not something she even understands herself.  After all, no one turns into a puma usually. She escapes to the bathroom and barely hides her abilities as the girl she protected comes to check on her. Somehow, the entire thing lands all girls involved in a meeting with a teacher in a museum. There, Mina discovers there's much more going on than she could have ever dreamed...and her life takes on an entirely new meaning.

This reminds me a bit of the cartoon series Totally Spies! but with a mythical twist, which dives into the various ancient gods from around the world. The four girls are as different as can be, and they don't get along. This makes for an interesting back-and-forth as they discover their connections, and it opens the door to messages about learning to work together despite differences. This message alone offers tons of arc and possibilities as it covers a huge span, and probably will for some of the series to come. Plus, it fits very well to the intended audience and middle school problems. The differences also offer interesting dialogue, characters, and interactions. Sometimes snippy, while others are humorous. It makes each one interesting, and also leaves room for them to individually grow in the future.

Then, there's the action, and there is action. This builds as the girls settle into their roles and take on the evil forces. These scenes are gripping and pop up just enough to keep the tension high. With mystery and intrigue also paving the way, the girls need to research aspects of the mythology and learn, step-by-step, what they're dealing with. Plus, there are some bigger surprises and unexpected twists to keep everyone on their toes.

It's a grabbing beginning to what promises to be a fun series. I can see readers enjoying this quite a bit and am looking forward to what these four will be faced with in the upcoming tales.

And here they are...

Crystal Velasquez is a prolific writer who has written numerous graphic novels as well as middle grade books for children, including Hunters of Chaos, the inspiration for Wildcats. She lives in Flushing, New York.

Eva Cabrera is an illustrator and the co-founder of Mexican studio BoudikaComics. She was born in Veracruz, Mexico. You can find her on all her social networks as @evacabrera.