¡¡Manu!!: A Graphic Novel

Manuela “Manu” Santos, who has fluffy dark hair and light brown skin, has consistently caused trouble since Mother Dolores took her in as an infant. Though carefree, wild trickster Manu’s magic is powerful, she is often shunned by the majority brown-skinned nuns and students at her magical all-girls school, La Academia de Santa Dominga. One day, Manu takes her antics too far, leaving a teacher injured and her classmates forced to clean up her mess. When she tries to play it off, her best friend Josefina Teresa Rojas becomes so infuriated that she wishes the saints would take Manu’s magic away. Surprisingly, Manu’s magic starts to wane. In a desperate ploy to get it back, Manu dabbles in black magic, releasing a powerful winged demonic being that wants to use her to destroy the mortal world. Simple, expressive cartoon-style art combines with a muted color palette and assured digital linework. Richly inflected by her Dominican heritage, Roman Catholic traditions, and elements of brujería, Fernández’s fast-paced graphic novel debut explores striving for individuality while yearning to belong, reminding readers that differences should never preclude extending kindness and love. Back matter features an author’s note. Ages 8–12. (Nov.)