This unique realistic fiction graphic novel shows how virtual reality can improve life. It touches on some sensitive topics and shows characters developing empathy. The illustrations are well-done and colorful, conveying all the characters' emotions. I also learned about moon trees. This is a great book for upper elementary and middle school students. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I already purchased this for my library. We have many Wendy Mass fans and realistic graphic novel fans I can hand this to.

When Addie's job takes them across the country, Addie is NOT happy. She doesn't have any interest in her father's new project with a virtual reality headset. And she doesn't want to make any new friends. Then she meets Mateo. And lo and behold, Addie tries the VR headset and begins to see her world in a different way - with new possibilities.

This middle grade graphic novel surprised me. It starts out feeling like a run of the mill story about a girl struggling to make friends and then finding her hyperfixation outlet that allows her to do just that. But as Addie and her new friend Mateo grow closer, they start to open up about what happened to their mother and brother (respectively) which adds an unexpected dimension to the story. Throughout the story, we see various characters learning to act with empathy and coming to grips with their own unpleasant emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of Lo and Behold by Wendy Mass.

My feelings on this book are a little torn. I think it is a good look at how a kid deals with emotional trauma, but that trauma is not fully addressed until over half way through the story. The writing is, at times, choppy, but it is solid. More for older elementary and middle school readers.

This enchanting novel takes readers on a delightful journey filled with magic, friendship, and self-discovery. With a warm and engaging storytelling style, the author creates a world that captivates readers of all ages. The endearing characters, led by the charismatic protagonist, invite us to join their adventures and learn valuable life lessons. Through the pages of this book, we are reminded of the power of imagination, the importance of embracing our unique qualities, and the beauty of genuine connections. This book is a heartwarming tale that reminds us to believe in the extraordinary within ourselves and others.

This book does really well with trying to find your place when life can be messy. The characters are relatable without overdoing it, and the art was extremely complementary to the story.

My students love books by Wendy Mass! They are usually fun, pretty easy to follow, and helps readers see themselves in her stories. This one is no different. I'll be adding it to my collection. :)

This graphic novel was hilarious and well-drawn, definitely worth the money and the hype, and I hope will be successful!

This is a graphic novel with a good message and solid artwork. Unfortunately, the story is quite a bit stilted and choppy. There storytelling seems all over the place and there isn't enough emphasis on the parts that would get the most impact. The relationship between Addie and her mom should be the core of the heart in this, but it is not developed enough to have the full force of it hit the reader. If not, how about the lesson Addie learns about how she is treating others and to learn about empathy? This is also sort of thrown away. Instead, the novel reads like an ad for some VR tech, as if the author is trying to sell you the latest headset. I think the focus was put on the wrong thing. This would have been 10x better if the A story was Addie and Mom, the B story was Addie learning Mateo's story and how she's been too absorbed in her own drama, and the distant C story was the VR tech. (the actual order is the reverse)

It is interesting to me that for all of it's attention on VR, this book focus almost solely on therapeutic uses for the technology. Games that teach social skills or address trauma. And it talks about addiction without really using the word. It's a decent story about friendship and emotional barriers. Some of the VR scenes are pretty cool. THe messaging is a bit heavy handed but not over the top.

Lo and Behold is a mostly cozy story about escaping real life through virtual reality. Addie and Mateo are both dealing with issues of loss, and while it defines much of Addie's personality, her real character shines through in their friendship. The use of VR seems a bit too utopian for my adult taste, but it was refreshing to see the technology used in a positive light. A plot twist involving the protagonist's family near the end of the book was well developed, especially since the art tied back into certain panels near the beginning of the story. All in all, an empathetic, chill read for middle or older elementary school.

“Can a virtual reality headset help change the way twelve year old Addie looks at things?”

What a different way to intertwine Virtual Reality and empathy. The author takes the two and smashes them together in such a unique way. Using V/R teaches the reader how important it is to walk in others shoes in order to understand where they are coming from.

I loved the different roles the inventors of the V/R: immersion therapy, exercise, fitness and social and how it helps Addie see the world, and come to terms with her mom’s issues.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Lo & Behold

Author: Wendy Mass, Gabi Mendez

Book Series: Lo & Behold Book 1

Rating: 4.5/5

Diversity: Hispanic character

Recommended For...: middle grade readers, graphic novel, contemporary

Publication Date: May 2, 2023

Genre: MG Contemporary Graphic Novel

Age Relevance: 8+ (parental incarceration, grief, the Holocaust, addiction)

Explanation of Above: Parental incarceration is vaguely mentioned and there is some scenes showing addiction to pain killers. Grief is shown and discussed. The Holocaust is mentioned.

Publisher: Random House Graphic

Pages: 224

Synopsis: When you're named after a 250-year-old tortoise, you grow up believing life is full of possibilities and wonder. But ever since Addie's family got turned upside down, those things have been harder for her to see.

The last thing Addie wants to do is make a new friend, but when her dad's summer job takes them across the country, she meets Mateo and finds herself caught up in an exciting project. With the help of a virtual reality headset, she's suddenly scaling castle walls, dodging angry kittens, and seeing the world in whole new ways. Plus, she has an idea that could be bigger than anything she's imagined before, but can she right some wrongs first . . . or is it too late?

Review: I thought this was such a cute read! The book is about our MC who is taken across country when their dad gets a new summer job, and she’s caught up in working on technology that has her doing all sorts of wild adventures. I loved seeing all of the VR tech and technology and geocaching references. I loved seeing the discussions about moving. The book had well done message, with good world building and pacing and I loved reading every picture of this book.

My only issue is that I thought the character development could have been a bit better, but overall it was well done!

Verdict: Loved it!

Wendy Maas has zeroed in on a critical issue weighing on many modern families, and woven a story of growth and healing. Addie joins her professor father on his summer project at Spring Haven University where he will work on one of his favorite subjects--technology and virtual reality. Of late Addie has become withdrawn, and rebukes the friendship of others. However, a virtual reality headset cracks her hard shell, and allows her to learn to appreciate the real and virtual. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Random House Graphic and NetGalley for the digital arc.

A lovely graphic novel about friendship and VR. Protagonist Addie is forced to move across the country temporarily for her father's summer job, and she isn't happy about it. She's not looking for new friends, so isn't very receptive when she meets the strange boy across the hall, Mateo. She's also not super interested in her father's work (working with a group of college students to develop new forms of VR) at the start. However, once she gets a taste of what VR can really do, she is hooked. She finds amazing things in the virtual world, but soon realizes that things in reality can be just as worthy.

This is a sweet little story, with cute illustrations. I loved all the tortoise images, and Addie's connection to them was quite nice. I had never heard of the moon trees, so that was a fun piece of info. I also enjoyed learning about VR and what it can accomplish. The growing friendship between Addie and Mateo is great. They each have their own grief to deal with, and this shows how friends can help lift some of the weight off your shoulders. There's a nice message here. Would recommend.

This is a very sweet middle grade comic about a girl and her father who spend a summer living on a college campus and exploring VR. The art was beautifully done. I loved the story and the characters, and I think kids will really appreciate the VR aspect.

Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy of Lo and Behold by Wendy Mass. This book is beautiful! Addie's family has been through turmoil, and now her father is taking a month-long job at a university and dragging Addie along. Determined to have a horrible time, Addie finds her resolve slipping when her neighbor Mateo involves her in a top secret project. Students interested in STEM, geocaching, and exploration will enjoy this novel about friendship, making a difference, and finding hope when all seems gone. The illustrations by Gabi Mendez are absolutely beautifully done!

I remember when I had the phase back when I was around 11 to read all sorts of graphic novels and comics and it went on for many years until it drifted away. Graphic novels like Bone, Missle Mouse and any graphic novel that Raina Telgemeier would write would have my eyes and my heart.

I've still read graphic novels here and there, but they haven't left as much of an impact as this one has. So, for my first Middle Grade pick, instead of my usual rant on the short version and long version of what this book is about, here are 5 reasons on why you SHOULD pick Lo and Behold up :)

The art style is fun and captures the detailed, yet cartoonish design that gives it a very approachable feel.
It will fly out of your hands by how fast it goes and how you'll laugh and get emotional at the same time.
Addie will hook you in since the first page with her story.
Did I mention that it also involves a dad with a super cool job with VR headsets and with creating new tech that will lead Addie diving into the world of tech and maybe new friends for a whole summer?
Tortoises. So many cute tortoises appear since the the beginning and they're depicted so adorably you'll want to get your own tortoise (NOT a turtle!

Loss, finding, friendships, and VR.

Lo and Behold by Wendy Mass and Illustrated by Gabi Mendez is a standalone graphic novel and was a fun filled adventure through the use of technology. After the disruption of her family, Addie and her dad go on a trip due to his job. There, Addie finds a friend and they explore through VR. But in the process, Addie gets an idea that may be larger than she's capable of completing. Will she succeed?

I love that there is a relationship between a daughter and father. It may not be throughout, but it is instilled strongly. The relationships throughout the story were excellent. Although Addie lost one relationship, she was able to gain a new one unintentionally. I also loved that there was so much exploration and adventure through the use of virtual reality. Having the story based in VR was an excellent choice. It opened the doors to anything.

The illustrations were excellent. They told the story with each panel and allowed the words to flow through them. There were lots of expressions and emotions popping through each page. The color had the perfect hue for the tone of the story as well. Super job!

This is great for children aged 11 and up. There are some dark moments, but they are replaced with good and lighthearted moments.

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of Lo and Behold from Wendy Mass via NetGalley