Joining the steadily-growing ranks of graphic novels for the 2nd-4th grade set, Kit Feeny: On the Move is a goofy winner.
Kit Feeny is a cheeseball-art-creating, ninja-fishing … well, it’s hard to tell exactly what kind of animal he is. Anyway, he partakes in his hobbies with his best friend Arnold. When Kit learns his family is moving, he’s (obviously) not pleased. Sneaking Arnold along in a moving box fails, so our hero sets about finding a replacement. Kit soon realizes it will be tough to find the exact replica he’s looking for. Hopeless, he is reduced eating beans out of a can and living the life of a “lonesome hobo” in his backyard. Eventually, the realization hits – an Arnold copy is impossible to find, but a new friend isn’t.
The tone is off beat, but surprisingly honest. Young readers will relate to Kit’s feelings about moving to a new town and leaving friends behind.
The sunny cartoon illustrations are in contrast to the oddness of the storyline. The black, white, and orange color palate (along with the small size) immediately identifies it as part of the Babymouse/Lunch Lady crowd. Not bad company.
Kit Feeny: On the Move will make a nice addition to your reluctant reader collection. Really, this quote from Kit says it best:
“It was weird and pointless. Of course I liked it!”
Review copy from school library.
Also reviewed by Unshelved, Kiss the Book, Riddle Reads, Book Trends.
Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.
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February 9, 2010 at 8:19 am
Mary Lee Hahn
I read this one back to back with The Secret Science Alliance — fun to compare and contrast the “how to find a friend when you move to a new place” themes!