Lo and Behold

Mass (the Twice upon a Time series) and debut illustrator Mendez navigate familial trauma and the impact of technology in this intricately rendered graphic novel that successfully captures the sometimes overwhelming nature of adolescence. When Addie’s mother abruptly leaves, Addie’s father attempts to distract her from the situation by taking her on a cross-country trip to Spring Haven University, where he will be working for the summer. But Addie is skeptical that she’ll feel anything other than lonely, until she meets Mateo, the son of one of her dad’s coworkers. Together, the tweens explore Addie’s father’s virtual reality lab, and Mateo helps Addie see her father’s work—and her own circumstances—in a different light. As Addie delves deeper into the comforts of the digital world, however, she discovers that she’s been avoiding her true feelings and the needs of those around her. Mendez’s streamlined and consistent artwork tonally complements Mass’s attentive consideration of the issues addressed. Edge-of-the-seat virtual reality adventure scenes are delicately balanced with accessible and thought-provoking plotting, juxtaposing video game–like escapism with emotionally complex conflict to deliver a solid read that encourages empathy and introspection. Ages 10–14. (May)