Art Club

Vice principal Reginald Ruffins tasks Dale’s middle school class with a career report: “Specifically, what financially stable job that provides for you and your family are you going to choose?” Dale’s earnest presentation about creating comics gets him sent to the principal’s office where, surprisingly for Dale, he’s granted approval to establish an art club and is entrusted with the mission to raise funds for club supplies. Dale recruits environmental sculptor Kya, game designer Mackenzie, and basketballer-turned-painter Aren; together, the youths, each depicted with varying skin tones, elevate one another’s strengths to reach their fundraising goal. All the while, Dale works to develop his comic project Mega Mage, following advice from art club sponsor Miss Je’Nae to “use the comics and games you love to make Mega Mage more unique and original.” Cozy, kinetically enriched artwork by Doucet (the Pax Samson series) evokes classic manga, particularly in Dale’s Astro Boy–inspired hairstyle, as well as in the kids’ creations. Utilizing adeptly detailed comics and video game–making know-how, Doucet takes cues from popular creative media to tell a unique and original story of an aspirational tween determined to showcase the importance and viability of artistic pursuits. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jas Perry, KT Literary. (Feb.)