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samusc 's review for:
The Black Mage
by Daniel Barnes, DJ Kirkland
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I purchased this graphic novel from NYCC 2019, and it was easily the best I'd read that year.
Disclaimer: I'm a white nonbinary person, and do not speak for experiences of POC.
Top Reasons why I loved this book:
Disclaimer: I'm a white nonbinary person, and do not speak for experiences of POC.
Top Reasons why I loved this book:
- It's not subtle. From reading the summary on the back and character naming conventions, you know how serious the fight Tom will have at this academy is.
- Throughout the story, Tom receives help from historically significant Black figures. This is a wonderful way to get young readers interested in the dark history and current struggles tied to racism in the US. Here's a guide to discuss the some of the topics/people presented in this work, in the classroom: ow.ly/Uhx550AaGX7
- Lindsay is a good friend to Tom, but she's not a perfect ally, especially at the beginning. This is an important distinction to make in that we can all do better by our Black friends/family.
- The anime references are cute and you can see the passion of these collaborative creators come through the pages.
Speaking of Creators:
- If you want to support LGBTQ+/Black artists, this is the way to do it. Especially if you're frustrated by J.K . Rowlings' blatant racism, transphobia etc.