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One Trick Pony

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One Trick Pony 
by Nathan Hale
Amulet Books, 2017. Graphic Novel. 127 p.

If you know me, you know that I love the “Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales” series. I love that history and humor are combined in such a way that kids enjoy learning. I know, what a concept, eh? So, because I love that series so much, I was pretty excited to learn that Nathan Hale has come out with a stand-alone science-fiction graphic novel. This has nothing to do with American history. But it still has Hale’s detailed illustrations and impactful spot color (which is really a reason in and of itself to read this book).

In this story the world is in dystopian chaos. There are pipers that come and “eat” anything technology. Three young kids/teens (a brother and sister and their friend) are out looking for technology. The girl (named Strata) finds a robot horse. Of course the discovery of the horse (and a whole stash of other robots) gets the pipers to come and follow them—which puts not only them but also the caravan they live in (with the world’s only remaining copies of books and movies and knowledge stored on computers) in danger. There are also other people who live without any technology—almost like primitive caveman. When everyone (people, robots, and pipers) all come together, it looks like the end for all the people and the technology. But Strata and her robot horse just might possibly save the day.

Give this book to young fans of science fiction, robots, or heroic kids saving the world. And the youngsters who like the complexity of a lot of stories all weaving together will find satisfaction in seeing how the different people (and a robot horse) all come together at the end for a huge stand-off against the pipers. This is a great addition to the juvenile graphic novel collection.

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