School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-Poor Mark. The short, skinny seventh grader is even smaller than his younger sister. He's bullied and hates participating in gym class, but he dreams of becoming a superhero, winning the girl, and getting back at bullies. However, as summer starts, Mark builds confidence and discovers that he's got a lot going for him, such as his friends, his awesome bike, and, of course, his passion for Star Wars. What can a kid with a camera, homemade props, a helpful group of pals, and a great idea accomplish? Quite a bit. Set in the 1970s, this account of comic strip artist Tatulli's awkward youth will resonate with readers. The secondary characters are slightly one-dimensional, but this is Mark's story, and his voice rings true. The clean, straightforward drawings and smooth flow of the panels make this a strong choice. VERDICT Purchase where graphic memoirs circulate well.-Mariela Siegert, Westfield Middle School, Bloomingdale, IL © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this pop culture-studded graphic memoir from cartoonist Tatulli (Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic), it is 1977 in Willingboro, N.J., and seventh grader Mark has a summer goal: to bulk up with the help of mail-order, get-big-quick supplies he finds advertised in the comics he loves, and gain enough confidence to face his bullies and approach his crush. Then Star Wars hits theaters, and Mark makes a new plan: creating a Star Wars spoof movie. His confidence grows as he directs his energy and artistic skills into film and discovers his interests and talents, an idea the book develops well. Mark's winning resilience contributes to making his embarrassing misadventures goofy yet relatable. The dynamic, cartoonish panels, occasionally contrasted with the protagonist's own distinctly illustrated comics and storyboards, are filled with cinematic movements that drive the gag-filled story at a quick clip, while simple but expressive characters show authentic emotions. The highlight is the last third of the story, which focuses on the funny, genuinely impressive movie production process, with detailed costuming (tin foil and cut-up rugs), filming, and special effects (eggs and exploding firecrackers) sequences that prove pivotal to the protagonist's artistic and personal growth. Ages 8-12. Agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.