Description: Camp is about more than just crafts and acquiring badges when you’re a Lumberjane. When April, Jo, Mal, Molly, and Ripley all decide to learn more about the mysterious Seafarin’ Karen, things take a turn for the strange. Shapeshifters, strange portals, and friendship to the max make for one summer camp that never gets boring!

Review: This volume has a similar plot as the previous volume in which the Lumberjanes are trying to acquire a knot making badge. We meet a new counselor named Seafarin' Karen who informs the girls that they need to earn their badges by working as a team which irritates the girls since they always work as a time. As usual April's curiosity to learn more about their new counselor's secrets gets out of hand and pretty soon the Lumberjanes and Seafarin' Karen are in a heated battle with a band of selkies who took over Karen's ship and refuse to return it.
   Ever since the Noelle Stevenson left as an illustrator to the series, the artwork has been inconsistent and oftentimes a game of hit or miss with me. Unlike the first three volumes which had a complete story arc, the last few volumes have more of an episodic feel. There is a potential for a new story arc as it is hinted that Molly might become Bear Lady's heir or assistant.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 6 and up.

If you like this book then try: Princeless series by Jeremy Whitley

Description: Jen just wants a normal lesson with her cabin, teaching Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley the basic survival skills needed without any supernatural intervention. But when a blizzard hits camp, Jen finds herself separated from the girls and in more trouble than ever... until a mysterious taxidermist swoops in to save the day. Who is she and what is her relationship to Rosie? Join Jen as she finds a way back to her girls, and a way to save the day!

Review: Lumberjanes continues to be an enjoyable read where female friendships are celebrated and take center stage. This graphic novel series is a fun mash-up between traditional camping experiences and fantasy. In this volume we get more backstory as how the camp started, the camp director Rosie, and the mysterious Bear Woman we met in the last volume. We also learn what it means to be a Lumberjane, a person who drops everything in order to help their friends in a time of need, as our young Lumberjanes get together and put their combined skill set in use as they try to save their camp counselor Jen after she disappears.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.


Description: Excited for the annual Bandicoot Bacchanal, Ripley recruits her friends to help her get ready for the dance. But before the Lumberjanes know it, something mysterious begins to bubble to the surface of the lake near camp! Will the Lumberjanes be able to bring peace to the lake in time for the Bacchanal?

Review: My favorite part of this volume is learning about the families of our favorite Lumberjanes and how they met one another, which sets the stage of our story. Unlike the other volumes in this series, there is one main plot point that we are following which isn't necessarily a bad thing. In this volume we are zeroing in the flaw of April who likes to control things and we see how her attempts affects others. We also find out that there are mermaids in the lake near camp, which really isn't all that surprising considering all the other wacky/supernatural/fantasy things that happen in this series.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

If you like these books try: Princeless series by Jeremy Whitley, Ms. Marvel series by G. Willow Wilson, Foiled by Jane Yolen

 Noelle Stevenson's graphic novel series, Lumberjanes, is a fast and fun read that highlights female empowerment and friendship. Each volume is filled with humor, adventure, and a nod to a developing romance. I highly recommend picking up this wonderful series for both younger and older readers alike.

Description: Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are not your average campers and Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady-Types is not your average summer camp. Between the river monsters, magic, and the art of friendship bracelets, this summer is only just beginning. Join the Lumberjanes as they take on raptors and a sibling rivalry that only myths are made of.

Review: Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley, aka. the Lumberjanes, continue their adventures at Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types with as much energy, excitement, and wonder as in the first volume of the series. The first volume had bizarre things happening without much explanation, but thankfully this volume clears up those unanswered questions while adding crazed dinosaurs, possessed insects, and competitive Greek deities to the mix. I love how this series manages to blend and balance the fantastical elements to the story with the everyday, slice of life moments of camp where they struggle with first crushes, friendship troubles, and self-doubt. The addition of sibling rivalry between two Greek deities was an added bonus. The Lumberjanes have their own lingo and substitute words for swearing which adds humor and is infectious. The illustrations, like the story and its characters, are also bursting with energy and vivid colors such as the forest greens in outdoor daylight scenes and grays and dark blues of nighttime scenes. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.



Description: Trying to take advantage of the first quiet day at camp in a while, Mal and Molly's date takes a bizarre turn with the appearance of the Bear Woman! Back at camp, Jo, April, and Ripley must stay on their toes as they try and earn every badge possible, which ends up being a lot harder than any of them planned.

Review: While there may not be as much as action in this third volume of Lumberjanes, this was still a very enjoyable read. There are two subplots in this volume as Jo, Mal, Ripley, April, and Molly focus on earning badges. We follow the girls in hilarious mishaps as they conceive and execute a plan that will guarantee them to a badge. Meanwhile, Mal and Molly are looking for some quiet time to see where their potential romantic relationship will take them, but they are soon transported to a dangerous, dinosaur-infested alternate universe. The romance between Mal and Molly is very chaste and sweet. Even though there isn't a lot of story in this volume, the humor, adventure, and enthusiasm carries and holds the reader's attention through the volume.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

If you like these books try: Lumberjanes Vol. 4 by Noelle Stevenson, Princeless series by Jeremy Whitley, Ms. Marvel series by G. Willow Wilson, Foiled by Jane Yolen

 At the Annual ALA Conference in San Francisco this year, I attended a Graphic Novel panel that discussed and explored diversity in many forms from gender, sexuality, and race to name a few. One of the graphic novelists on the panel was Noelle Stevenson who first started her career as a webcomic creator but her career soon blossomed into a published graphic novelist as her popularity soared and she received critical acclaim for her webcomics and graphic novels.


Description: Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five best pals determined to have an awesome summer together...and they’re not gonna let any insane quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way!

Review: Lumberjanes is a fun filled graphic novel series that focuses on female power and female friendships. The setting for the first volume of this graphic novel is set at a summer camp with creepy paranormal events happening in the least expected places. Jo, April, Molly, Mal, and Ripley, are our five campers at the "Hardcore Lady Types" from a diverse backgrounds and body shapes. The graphic novel begins in mid-adventure as the five girls are out after hours investigating a strange event that they all witnessed: a woman turning into a giant bear. 
This is just the first of many odd occurrences for the girls who call themselves the Lumberjanes, as the scouts are called, band together to solve puzzles, defeat three-eyed creatures, and escape the ire of their watchful counselor Jen. I loved how each camper has a skill that helps the group conquer each challenge that pops up in their way. The girls are all spunky, lovable characters sparkle with exuberant personality and challenge gender stereotypes. There is also a subtle same-sex relationship developing in the background as Molly and Mal share tender glances at each other. 
  At the opening of each chapter, an excerpt from the Lumberjanes field guide is included and a gallery of cover images append the book. References to female heroines such as Bessie Coleman and Joan Jett are sprinkled throughout the graphic novel. The artwork is very playful as it exudes humor and reinforces themes of teamwork and friendship. You may recognize the artwork style from Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl which is also illustrated by Stevenson. Overall, I enjoyed this volume and I look forward to continuing this series. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 5 and up.

If you like this book try: Chiggers by Hope Larson, Lumberjanes Vol 2 by Noelle Stevenson