The Odds (The Odds #1)

Without any friends at school, young Kip avoids her classmates, imagining herself invisible, and dreads Ms. O’s project to present what makes her unique. But when a small army of fictional characters—including Lance the bunny, the star of her father’s comic, and Mr. Pink, a re-creation of the long-lost stuffed toy Kip’s late mother gave her—spring from Kip’s mind, their assertive personalities (“We don’t hide,” they write when Kip and her father, who both have brown skin, attempt to lock them away) challenge Kip to embrace herself just as she is. In this graphic novel debut, seasoned picture book creator Stanton conjures poignant moments amid a repetitive, meandering plot. Simple, straightforward line art, dominated by head-on shots, creates a quick read—reminiscent of gag-focused works such as the Catwad series—that promises a lesson about embracing oneself and becomes a story of strengthening bonds via mutual grief. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)