Fans of Doodleville and New Kid will love this MG graphic novel.
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Dale is a dreamer, an artist and most of all: a comic book fanatic. The only problem is he’s been told over and over that art will get him no where in life. His grandfather and the vice principal don’t get his ambition or his talent. When Dale decides to start an after school art club to prove them wrong, he has one semester to make the club financially successful or they will be shut down. Can he show that he can make a career as an artist?
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This book is for everyone who’s been told not to follow their dreams or to be more practical. We should be telling kids to dream big and dream often. This novel will be a hit when it’s released February 6.

Perfect to gift to a young artist as motivation. 5 plus plus (stars)

I wish I had read this when I was a child and wanted to become an artist full-time, but adults shut down all my motivation and put me on the path of a financially stable career that wasn't my passion. For this, I can't stop recommending this book to my students and other beginner artists.

Dale's passion for a specific fantasy video game and the pleasure of building a fantasy world and characters leads him to fight outdated, discouraging adults (sometimes also teachers) and learn more about pursuing an art career.

The most valuable thing about this book is that the characters understand that there are plenty of choices down an art path. It's not just drawing as a hobby, there is a lot of personal and financial investment. There are also plenty of career choices: some can work as video game creators, writers, comic book creators (just coloring or drawing, or inking), or do something related to video games and movies. Dale wishes the school could teach more about art so that they could explore more before they have to pick a career (so early in life). It would be great for young students to know all the choices they can make that are more suitable to one's preferences.

More than hard work the best tool to have is family support. It's alright to educate the child on the pros and cons but supporting the journey is as important. Sometimes it's alright to try and change our minds by at least giving our best and then we can make the right choices. Dale's grandfather is a great character.

I love that Dale created an art club in his school and that the author brought the question of making money to the table, writing the story in a way that the "mean" teacher challenges the existence of the art club as a profitable club or not. And having that pressure is important because, unlike other "stable" professions, being an artist can result in a lot of searching for the next commission or company to work for. It should be taught as well to deal with such stress. (my point is that becoming an artist is not a child's play and should be respected as another job).

The author points out that if it is your passion don't let others make you quit. Be tenacious like Dale. Take art seriously like a full-time job if art is part of who you are. I too left my safe job and followed my dream later in life to illustrate comic books and make art for other authors.

This is a book that will treasure and keep closer to my work (art) space.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this e-ARC.


will post to blog and Instagram soon

I really loved this middle grade graphic novel following gamer and comic book nerd, Dale, as he and his friends come together to start an after school art club. Dale's grandmother introduced him to her love of comic books at a young age. Now that she's passed, Dale doesn't have anyone to connect with about his interests. His grandfather has a green thumb and is more worried about Dale finding a passionate that will result into a high paying job. His mother works a lot and his father is deployed. His school doesn't even have an art class. When Dale was assigned a project to research a future career field that he has to prove could support him, he and his best friend Aren begin their search for club members and a teacher to support them. I loved this story and think it would benefit a lot of young creatives who may not think art is a viable future. The art was really cool especially in the parts where the fantasy role playing game Dale and his friends play is the setting.

Rashad Doucet is a thoughtful storyteller and artist whose love of creativity comes through. This is a bright and beautiful graphic novel for young readers (and beyond). Highly recommended!

A fun middle grade graphic novel about finding your artistic voice and fighting for the arts. I will be adding it to our recommendation list at our library.