Parents and guardians, if you were a fan of Bantam's Choose Your Own Adventure series of books, then you should introduce the young readers in your life to What Happens Next?. While nowhere near as violent as the beloved series that ran from 1978-1998, I did find myself dying pretty quick the first time I tried this interactive graphic novel. True, my death was in a dream. And I was attacked by some pretty pesky sea gulls. But it was a much funnier and less traumatic way to go than some of those CYOA novels.
In Talent Show Troubles, readers guide Megan Hathaway through a very chaotic day. She slept super late! Should she stay home or do her best to make it to school where she's in charge of the talent show? Now Megan has lost her notebook with all of the plans for the event. Does Megan put on an animal act or go with the kid in the sparkly suit? Now one of the teachers wants Megan to pass a note to another teacher in the audience. Should she do it or should Megan start helping her dad who brought snow cones for all?
This book promises over 100 paths. I probably followed about 20 of them before reviewing this book. Talent Show Troubles was just a zany romp that had the added fun of getting to make all of the character's choices throughout. Written and illustrated by Jess Smart Smiley, What Happens Next? continues the tradition of gamebooks, a genre where readers are able to play the part of story navigator. The only difference is that this story is done in graphic novel form!
I've encountered comic book versions of Choose Your Own Adventures before. Usually they involve the reader having to skip panels or follow story threads through to the next page. It's awfully confusing. Smiley makes sure that each decision takes the readers to a separate page making for a smoother transition, allowing the reader to stay immersed in the story.
If the kiddos enjoyed the misadventures of Megan Hathaway, they can spend another day at school with her in Science Fair Frenzy. Newsroom Nonsense about Megan's time at the school paper will debut in Spring, 2024. Start the school year right with What Happens Next? and watch for things to go wrong for one precocious middle schooler!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
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