 | Ash's cabin Author: Wang, Jen | |
| Price: $14.75 | ||
Summary:
Ash has always felt alone. Adults ignore the climate crisis. The only person who seemed to understand how desperate things were was Ash's grandpa, Edwin. Before he died, Edwin used to talk about building a secret cabin, off the grid in the California wilderness. And to Ash, that maybe mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life. In graphic novel format.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (08/01/24)
School Library Journal (+) (00/07/24)
Booklist (+) (06/01/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (+) (00/09/24)
The Hornbook (00/09/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 06/01/2024 *Starred Review* Wang makes extraordinary magic again, this time exquisitely revealing a daring coming-of-age journey—compounded by gender, generational, racial, and historical challenges—in a contemporary world beset by devastating climate change. Fifteen-year-old Ash is definitively Ash, even if their parents still use their old name and pronouns. Although their relationship with Mom is improving, Dad’s convinced they’re “just going through a phase.” Every summer, Ash’s family has spent vacations up north on Grandpa Edwin’s ranch; Grandpa lost his memory and then died a couple of years ago, but Dad’s brother took over. A reunion isn’t happening this year, though, because Uncle Jerry is selling the family homestead. Devastated, Ash insists they need one final trip—and reluctantly, surprisingly, Mom and Dad relent, mainly because 21-year-old cousin Reese will be around. Ash has life-changing plans: to find Grandpa’s secret cabin and “stay there. Forever.” With impressive skills diligently learned from library books and YouTube, Ash enters Grandpa’s world (accompanied by devoted pup Chase) and slowly but surely finds enough water, food, and safety to stay alive—and, for a time, thrive. “Surviving is the easy part. Feeling at peace in your heart is the hard part.” Wang’s emotive, empathic illustrations elevate an already impactful narrative into a stupendous visual masterpiece, with and without panels, swathed in daytime California golds and chillier nighttime blues. Perfection—literary and artistic—awaits here. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
