I am definitely not in the target audience age range for this, but I still really enjoyed it. And I think the middle grade age group will really eat this up. This is the kind of black (+ female!) representation we need. I feel like kids will relate to the character - who doesn’t love the idea of making your own creations - and it’s a fun read. The illustrations were great, and I love that it included a little how to draw section at the end along with some IRL science facts to go along with the story. This would be a great way for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. As a millennial it was giving me Dexter’s Lab and Powerpuff Girls (in the best way)

4 stars

Young Nova comes from a family of scientists, which is even reflected in her sister's and her names. When she learns that there are islands of plastic and that no one has come up with a viable solution to correct this horror, Nova takes matters into her own hands and labaratory and forms a truly creative solution to the problem. As many first attempts go, this one comes with its own challenges and pitfalls, but fortunately for readers, (1) Nova is not a quitter and (2) these barriers are pretty amusing to witness.

It's clear that this book is intended to be the first in a series, and I'm thrilled to know that I'll get to spend more time with Nova and her family. While this is a children's graphic novel, I did hope for a bit more character development, so I'm anticipating I'll get that as the series continues.

This is a fun and informative read, and Nova is a truly excellent character. I'll recommend this to students.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun graphic novel. This will be a great book for young kids to read and they will greatly enjoy this book.

Nova is a genius, and when she learns that the world's plastic is taking over the ocean, she figures she can solve the problem. Even though scientists have discovered a bacteria that slowly eats plastic, it doesn’t work fast enough.
So, she goes down to her secret lab and creates a creature that will eat plastic. What could possibly go wrong, right?


Very cute middle grade graphic novel about a young scientist trying to solve problems, without thinking through what would happen when she does so. Of course, when things get worse and worse, she has to ask for help.


Funny, cute pictures. Good heroine. I think kids will enjoy reading about a genius their own age.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest raeview. This book will be published on the 3rd of June 2025.

This graphic novel effectively delivers a powerful message about the pervasive environmental threat of plastic through vibrant visuals and engaging narrative. The animated scenes and colorful graphics enhance the accessibility and appeal of the subject matter, making it easily digestible for a wide readership. The narrative underscores the ubiquity of plastic and empowers readers to take action within their daily lives.

Not only does the novel raise awareness, but goes further by showing that we can experiment with solutions in our own unique ways. Even when Nova's initial solution failed, and even when her subsequent attempt spiraled slightly out of control, she persisted, sending an important message about resilience and continuous effort.

My favorite moment was when the parents asked Nova to help restore the town to safety, a clear call for us all to take responsibility for cleaning up our own messes, even if they were created with good intentions. Overall, this is an exceptionally well-written graphic novel, and I highly recommend it. I eagerly look forward to future installments in this series.