The Wild Ones

Wild Oaks residents Valentina and her friends Andy, Jasmine, and Xander bond over their love of macabre, eerie, and hopefully friendly creepy-crawly creatures, particularly the kind one might find in a cryptozoology book. Legend says there’s a monster living in the woods outside of town, though no one has ever seen it. But when a property development group arrives and threatens their neighborhood, Valentina and company seek to recruit the mysterious monster, hoping that it will defend them and put a stop to the gentrifying newcomers. Educational without being didactic and reminiscent of 1980s ensemble adventure films, this amusing graphic novel by the creators of Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies! covers serious topics via a breezy, upbeat narrative. Lacera’s dynamic, retro-style art renders the group’s tween antics and their palpable rapport, as well as four monsters from different cultures around the world, including the Banshee, La Tunda, the Loogaroo, and the Vetal, each of which hails from the characters’ respective ethnic backgrounds (“I’m positive the monster is La Tunda! She’s Colombian. Just like me!” Valentina says.) Ages 5–10. Agent: John Cusick, Folio Literary. (Apr.)

Correction: The text of this review has been updated for clarity.