Scarlet Hood

This quirky graphic novel centers on protagonist Scarlet, who has relocated with her parents to Norway. Tormented by a bully with the moniker Greta the Cruel, Scarlet drifts through the day at her new school. Australian-born author-illustrator Evans writes in spare yet potent lines that work in harmony with the elegant, darkly comedic panel art. People in this world are long, lanky figures with dark under-eye circles, sleepy expressions, and striped black-and-white clothing—all except Scarlet, who wears a red hoodie that her grandmother gives to her, only to earn further taunts from her ashy classmates. But zipping the hoodie transports her through time to a Viking village, where she is thought to be a visitor sent by Loki to defeat a fearsome dragon. Only, the dragon is kind and just wishes to find safe hatching grounds (Scarlet provides an assist). Evans seamlessly integrates Scarlet’s fantastic voyage into the bullying narrative, as Scarlet begins to grasp that those who are mistreated will in turn mistreat others. And the conclusion hints at the possibility of more adventures: “At the bottom of the world on a white winter shore, a dragon arrives in Antarctica.” Ages 8–12.[em] (BookLife) [/em]