Stepping Stones

Engaging middle grades graphic novel about a girl who goes to live with her recently divorced mom on a farm the mom and her new boyfriend have started. The new boyfriend is a real piece of work in this book and at times I wished someone was advocating better for the main character.

Aside from that, really cute artwork. Tons of cute little chickenz!

Jen's parents have split up, and Jen and her mom have moved to the country with her mom's boyfriend, Walter. They are having a go at running a farm. On the weekends, Walter's daughters come to stay on the farm. It's a lot to adjust to. Jen is missing city life.

It's rare that I see such delightfully flawed characters—the main character, the other children, even the adults—in a children's book. The conflict between the girls, the conflict between Jen and her mom's boyfriend, the sadness Jen feels at leaving her old life—these are all depicted beautifully and realistically.

So sweet! Knisley's art is great for this story- those barn cats!