Snapdragon

This past March, a week before the world shut down, I went to my local public library to pick up my holds. One of those holds was Kat Leyh’s middle grade graphic novel Snapdragon… and if you can believe it, it sat unread in my room (and then packed in a moving box)(and THEN unpacked in a pile in my new room) until… September. I don’t know how you felt these past several months, but my reading pace ground to almost a halt… until it didn’t. I picked up this witchy middle grade book at just the right time – and I am so glad I read it because it is not only a fantastic story, but an excellently spooky one for Halloween! Snapdragon, or Snap for short, is a little weird, and she’ll admit it, too. But you know who’s even weirder? The witch who lives in the woods in Snap’s town, who picks roadkill off the side of the road and keeps a graveyard next to her house! Snap thought the witch might eat her dog after a car accident, but instead she bandaged him up and let Snap leave, safe and sound. When Snap finds orphaned possum babies one day, she’s forced to ask the witch (or is she a witch??) for help, and thus begins a partnership that will reveal the truth behind creepy family stories, and see good triumphing over evil. This book is ADORABLE. That might not be the first word that springs to mind for some (especially since it’s a morbid story about a witch who collects roadkill and sells the bones online??), but it works for me. This book has: gender- and sexuality-affirmation, a majority Black cast of characters, quirky family history, a great mother-daughter bond, standing up to bullies, making friends who appreciate your specific brand of weird, and finding something to be passionate about (even if that is putting together skeletons in your free time). ALSO: ghosts, baby possums, useful magic, and multigenerational storytelling! I know I might not be selling the “adorable” vibe with some of these things, but trust me when I say this book is wholesome as heck, and it needs to be on your shelf or in your hands ASAP. I need a follow up immediately, so Lu (side character, I don’t want to spoil much but you’re going to fall for them!) can have their own story. I also love how unpredictable the storytelling in Snapdragon is – it takes you to unexpected and wonderful places and ties everything together (I don’t know how – Leyh is a master!) in the end. It puts the fantastic (as in unbelievable) in fantasy in places, but in the best way – with tight storytelling, loveable characters, lots of animals, and families of all shapes, sizes, colors, and configurations. And what about the ART?? Well, that’s really what ties a weirdly wonderful storyline together with my pronouncement of “adorable!” Not surprising, I suppose? Leyh’s style includes heavy-ish line work, big eyes, and lots of vibrant color. It is 100% part of the storytelling, so much so that I’m having a hard time separating it from the words on the page – you get a lot of the emotion in the story from the unspoken, the scenery, the panels without words. Leyh seamlessly tells Snapdragon’s story in a visual medium. In all, Snapdragon is a sweet, entertaining, and mildly morbid middle grade graphic novel with nuanced LGBTQ+ characters and spooky Halloween night activities (that do NOT include trick or treat!). I liked it a whole lot and I think you will too. Recommended for: fans of Raina Telgemeier and Molly Ostertag’s graphic novels, anyone who likes their reading with magic and/or weirdness mixed in, and anyone looking for queer-affirming stories for young people.

In "Snapdragon," Kat Leyh delivers a charming graphic novel that intertwines friendship, magic, and the beauty of unexpected connections. The story follows Snap, a curious young girl drawn to the town's rumored witch, Jacks, who turns out to be a quirky, elderly woman with a passion for roadkill skeletons and a surprising knack for magic. As Snap and Jacks form a partnership—Jacks teaching Snap how to care for the opossums she's rescued while Snap assists with Jacks's unique work—Leyh crafts a delightful narrative filled with humor and heart. The exploration of beginnings of true friendship, as well as the fascinating revelations about Snap's family's history, infuses the story with emotional depth. With vibrant illustrations and an engaging storyline, "Snapdragon" is an enchanting adventure that resonates with themes of acceptance, compassion, and the wonder of finding magic in everyday life.

I absolutely love this book. It stands as my favorite children’s graphic novel. I am a children’s librarian and have read this with my 4th and 5th grade book club twice so far (and plan to read it yet again this fall). Many of the kids also say this is their favorite of all the books we read. I love the girl power and female empowerment (Snapdragon being a fearless, brave, non-binary girl who discovers witchcraft via a non-binary radical older woman.) Also, the representation of people of color and LGBTQ+ is presented beautifully, without it being politicized. The book isn’t ABOUT those topics. It’s about a girl who finds her strength and power via witchcraft, the bonds of family, and love. In many ways, this book is a beautiful love story. Don’t get me wrong, I think books about race and LGBTQ+ issues are incredibly important. But it’s also important to have books that have those characters because they are just people and other important life events happen to them other than political issues. Books shouldn’t have to be about those issues to feature those characters. And Snapdragon delivers beautifully. Can’t recommend it more. I will give it to every 10 year old I know!

What an interesting and strange book, story. Graphic novels aren't usually my thing, but I really liked this one! At first I thought the girl on the cover--Snapdragon--was some sort of half-deer, half-kid creature (again, not my thing, but I decided to give it a try because I'd read that there was something gender-related about the story), so I was surprised to find out it was just a girl who has some unruly hair and creative ways she puts it up and not antlers of some sort. There is a deer in the second half of the story, but it's not like Snapdragon identifies with the deer. Anyway, everything about this book is original and fresh and unexpected. I can just about guarantee that you've never read a story like this one. It's one-of-a-kind, both in terms of characters and plot.

i usually don’t write reviews, but this book was just too good not too. im a 10Y turning 11Y soon, and this book just is so amazing and entertaining!! it has a very good plot and i loved that everything linked up. it’s also great because it includes many LGBTQIA+ characters and shows them and their backstory. it has a lot of dead animals references, so if that’s triggering i don’t recommend this book. i also love this book because it’s not like disrespectful animal killings, it’s very respectful and i love how they represent it. overall, GET THIS BOOK. its by far the best ive ever read, tbh.

Love the representation and LGBT cuteness. Very beautiful art and a well crafted and original story. I’d def recommend it!

This book is absolutely wonderful. I adore the story, the art, the characters, everything. It is wholesome and sweet and makes me so happy. It's beautiful in every sense of the word. My 10 year old brother asked to read it, and i was hesitant, but let him. Much to my suprise, he adored it. It made him laugh and giggle and he was so excited to talk about it with me. The representation is wonderful, and i'm so happy this book is out and about in the universe.

I could not put down this book once I started reading. I adore all of the characters-even the animals (BG is so adorable and truly acts like a three legged, happy go lucky, big grinned and loving pit); and the family dynamics that are shown; and all of the characters shown are very unique and realistic too (the magical component is used so well and even if it wasn't used, I still see it rather respectful). So heck yeah, this was a joy to read and definitely belongs in everybody's graphic novel collection.