Geeky Fab 5: It’s Not Rocket Science

In this graphic novel debut from 12-year-old Lucy Lareau and her mother, protagonist Lucy and her confident older sister, Marina, have just moved to Normal, Ill. Lucy has some new-school jitters, but she immediately makes friends at Earhart Elementary with fellow fourth graders Sofia, a glitter-obsessed computer coder; A.J., who loves to build things; and Zara, a singer and math enthusiast. Comics artist Jampole illustrates the story with upbeat graphics that emphasize each character’s distinctive traits, while the Lareaus cheerfully detail how the capable friends bond over their “geek” pride while raising funds to design and build a new school playground. Themes of female empowerment resonate throughout the episodic chapters, though the dialogue can be didactic: Marina offhandedly informs her mother, “Yeah, girls are coding now. They design games, and solve all kinds of problems.... Just a heads-up, NASA is training women astronauts right now for Mars!” The Geeky Fab 5 might take a cue from the more authentically portrayed Lumberjanes, but fans will look forward to seeing what the protagonists get up to next. Ages 7–11. [em](July) [/em]