Today's read is perfect for October and the spooky season because it is about Halloween! It surrounds a group of monsters, who have been hiding since the monster hunters killed their parents. Then, they learn about Halloween and see it as an opportunity to head out into the world and be who they are. It's said to be a touching read, and I'm hoping it will hold humor and tension, too.
But let's open this one up and see what this monster Halloween is all about.
MASKS
by Margaret Rae
Illustrated by Brain Nathanson
Beck Kubrick
Thomas Philipson
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Middle Grade Paranormal
Graphic Novel
240 pages
ages 8 to 12
Poe, Rice, and Shelley are three monster kids who hide from the outside world. But when they learn about “Halloween,” they realize it’s their one night of the year where they can be their true selves—scales and all. This quirky, heartwarming (or should we say, heart-worm-ing?) graphic novel is perfect for fans of Nimona and Sheets.
Poe was only a little monster when the hunters came for her parents. If it weren’t for one of the hunters taking pity on her, she knows she’d have met the same fate, too.
Ten years later, Poe lives with her two “siblings”—more monster kids in hiding—Rice and Shelley. Under her protective eye, Poe makes sure that the siblings have everything they need, but Rice and Shelley want more out of life than running away. So when their most recent home is slated to be demolished by a real estate group, the monster kids venture out to find their place, and end up getting whisked away to a Halloween party that changes their lives.
Debut creator Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson (author of The Many Deaths of Barnaby James) are experts in the spooky, haunting craft. They’ve woven a story full of heart, humor, and hope—one that examines the masks in which we all live. With quirky, stunning illustrations by Beck Kubrick ("Sylvia Plath meets Peanuts") and colorist Tom Philipson, Masks is the quintessential graphic novel about accepting who you are, masks and all.
Perfect for fans of ND Stevenson’s Nimona, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets, with kid-friendly elements of The Witcher and a little bit of Peter Pan.
Poe was only a little monster when the hunters came for her parents. If it weren’t for one of the hunters taking pity on her, she knows she’d have met the same fate, too.
Ten years later, Poe lives with her two “siblings”—more monster kids in hiding—Rice and Shelley. Under her protective eye, Poe makes sure that the siblings have everything they need, but Rice and Shelley want more out of life than running away. So when their most recent home is slated to be demolished by a real estate group, the monster kids venture out to find their place, and end up getting whisked away to a Halloween party that changes their lives.
Debut creator Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson (author of The Many Deaths of Barnaby James) are experts in the spooky, haunting craft. They’ve woven a story full of heart, humor, and hope—one that examines the masks in which we all live. With quirky, stunning illustrations by Beck Kubrick ("Sylvia Plath meets Peanuts") and colorist Tom Philipson, Masks is the quintessential graphic novel about accepting who you are, masks and all.
Perfect for fans of ND Stevenson’s Nimona, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets, with kid-friendly elements of The Witcher and a little bit of Peter Pan.
MY TIDBITS
With a bit of monsterly fun, these pages take a look at not fitting in and finding friendships...and sometimes, family.
Monster hunters wiped out Poe's entire family ten years before, but thanks to a kind-hearted monster hunter, she escaped. Now, she lives with two other monsters, which she took in and protects. They survive by hiding and scavenging for what they need. So far, all's gone well, but the place they've been calling home is about to be destroyed. One of the monsters wants to head out and search for a rumored monster haven, but Poe isn't so sure since there's no real proof it exists. When she learns of Halloween, she decides to use the holiday as a chance not only for them to finally head out into the human world and have fun but to find a new home. But things never are as simple as they appear.
This is an enjoyable, straight-forward tale with characters to enjoy. Poe is kind but uncertain thanks to her past, and that is something readers will easily sympathize with. It's also no problem to understand the desire to search for the Haven, since the three are living isolated, in danger, and in uncertainty. Add the evil, monster hunters, and it's no problem to root for Poe and understand what difficulties she faces. The pacing is steady, while the atmosphere sits in a more serious tone as Poe and the others try to find their place in the world. I'd suggest it more for the lower end of the middle grade audience due to the simpler plot and a few unexplained background tidbits (for example: it's not clear why they didn't know about Halloween before).
The messaging is also straight-forward as it circles around the monsters' problems with the hunters and not being accepted by humans. Then, there's Poe's human friend, who is also bullied. Poe and her friends learn about friendship, finding family, and that kindness can be found no matter what the appearance or race.
The illustrations are well done and bring each moment across nicely. The text also fits the age group well enough. It's a quick read with much to enjoy.
And here they are...
Margaret Rae is a debut fiction writer and physician specializing in infectious diseases. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with husband Brian and daughter Fiona.
Since graduating from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Brian Nathanson has written screenplays for studios such as Disney and Warner Bros. After releasing The Many Deaths of Barnaby James through Dark Horse, Masks will be his second graphic novel.
Beck Kubrick is a UK-based writer and cartoonist. They like comedy-horror and thinking about the apocalypse. They are known for "dark humor and knowing wit." They have worked with Cartoon Network, Oni Press, MadCave Studios and more. They won Broken Frontier’s best one-shot 2023, and their upcoming work includes Dead Girls (Atheneum Books, 2026).
Since graduating from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Brian Nathanson has written screenplays for studios such as Disney and Warner Bros. After releasing The Many Deaths of Barnaby James through Dark Horse, Masks will be his second graphic novel.
Beck Kubrick is a UK-based writer and cartoonist. They like comedy-horror and thinking about the apocalypse. They are known for "dark humor and knowing wit." They have worked with Cartoon Network, Oni Press, MadCave Studios and more. They won Broken Frontier’s best one-shot 2023, and their upcoming work includes Dead Girls (Atheneum Books, 2026).
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