A fierce celebration of found family and unique abilities used for good.

MCBA 2023-2024
Recommended by AJ

*Spoilers*

Six young "irregularities" are being held in a government facility nicknamed the Playroom, but it turns out the Playroom isn't safe - an employee is secretly working for the Collector, and attempts to kidnap the kids while transporting them to a safer location. They overpower him and then they're on their own: Omar (a yeti), Newt (alien), Jaali (werebear), Sylvie (will-o-the-wisp), Maggie (tentacle-haired), and Clarice (selkie). They go to Newt's dad in Washington, D.C. for help, but he sends them packing; they find some other irregularities and help two rival groups reach detente by promising to go look for their missing members, who headed to Washington state to a place they call the Sanctuary....but is it? Partly by bus, partly on foot, frequently helped by other "irregularities," and pursued all the while by a group in a van called F.R.E.A.K.I.S.H., they rest for a while with a family of irregularities but ultimately decide to continue to the sanctuary...which turns out to be the home of the Collector, an evil creature who drains the irregularities to prolong his own life. The team works together to overpower him (and they find Jaali's dad, who has been held captive there for years!) and decide to make the place a true sanctuary.

There are glimmers of romance between Omar and Sylvie; Newt comes out as nonbinary.

See also: The Runaways by Brian K. Vaughan

Quotes

"It's up to you to determine what kind of person you want to be. Those who judge you by appearance, without even taking the time to know you, don't get to decide you're a monster." (Omar's grandma, 72)

"Foolish people will always be afraid of those who are different, but your differences don't make you wrong." (Omar's grandma, 73)

"All of us have some kind of monster in us....Your abilities are incredible, even if they're scary." (Omar to Sylvie, 82)

"Family protects one another...and love is stronger than any shadow." (Sylvie to the Collector, 280-281) ( )

This one really impressed me. Not entirely perfect but good! I loved the focus on familial bonds, and the character designs were snazzy—Sith, Omar, and Addie stand out in particular.

I also liked that each character got some spotlight because in big groups some characters often get neglected. All the plot points get resolved and tied with a pretty bow at the end.

I wouldn't mind seeing this adapted as an animated movie.

4.5 ( )

Loved this! Beautifully illustrated, wonderful characters and an interesting plot. Hoping for more. ( )

I absolutely loved this MG Graphic Novel! It touched on so many different subjects: family, abandonment, identity issues, acceptance, forgiveness, gender issues and told it in a way that readers will connect with each character. The illustrations were beautiful and brought out the humanity in each of the characters. This is one that I cannot wait to add to my school’s collection! Thank you for an amazing story. I would love to see a followup be written! ( )