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NewsPrints

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By DeeDee

NewsPrints
by Ru Xu
Scholastic, 2017. Comics. 202 p.
Blue is an aggressive newsie in the coastal town of Nautelene. None of the other orphans know Blue's secret; she isn't a boy, as she appears, but is a girl who dresses as a boy so she can work and try to pay her own way.  One day Blue meets a enigmatic inventor, Jack, who takes her on as an apprentice.  She also meets another street kid, Crow, who, like her, hides a secret.  Little does Blue know that Jack also has a secret that ultimately connects Blue and Crow to the future of Natalene's looming war.

Here is a new "steam punk" series for those who like Kibuishi's Amulet series.  Blue is an appealing strong-girl character who is both tough and kind.  Xu's full color illustrations do a great job at establishing the personalities of the characters and setting the tone of the story, while keeping up the breathless pace and high action of the plot. Young graphic novel connoisseurs will be eager for the next installment.
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