Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Lo & Behold

Author: Wendy Mass, Gabi Mendez

Book Series: Lo & Behold Book 1

Rating: 4.5/5

Diversity: Hispanic character

Recommended For...: middle grade readers, graphic novel, contemporary

Publication Date: May 2, 2023

Genre: MG Contemporary Graphic Novel

Age Relevance: 8+ (parental incarceration, grief, the Holocaust, addiction)

Explanation of Above: Parental incarceration is vaguely mentioned and there is some scenes showing addiction to pain killers. Grief is shown and discussed. The Holocaust is mentioned.

Publisher: Random House Graphic

Pages: 224

Synopsis: When you're named after a 250-year-old tortoise, you grow up believing life is full of possibilities and wonder. But ever since Addie's family got turned upside down, those things have been harder for her to see.

The last thing Addie wants to do is make a new friend, but when her dad's summer job takes them across the country, she meets Mateo and finds herself caught up in an exciting project. With the help of a virtual reality headset, she's suddenly scaling castle walls, dodging angry kittens, and seeing the world in whole new ways. Plus, she has an idea that could be bigger than anything she's imagined before, but can she right some wrongs first . . . or is it too late?

Review: I thought this was such a cute read! The book is about our MC who is taken across country when their dad gets a new summer job, and she’s caught up in working on technology that has her doing all sorts of wild adventures. I loved seeing all of the VR tech and technology and geocaching references. I loved seeing the discussions about moving. The book had well done message, with good world building and pacing and I loved reading every picture of this book.

My only issue is that I thought the character development could have been a bit better, but overall it was well done!

Verdict: Loved it!