Reviews
* "A much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers pondering the heady question of moral responsibility." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Tightly researched and sharply written. . . this is a graphic novel that pushes an unsightly but hard to ignore socio-political truth out into the open." -- Booklist , starred review * Framing the story through the eyes and voice of a fictional character, 11-year-old Roger, offers a bittersweet sense of authenticity while upholding an objective point of view. . . the exploration of "both sides of the story" is unflinchingly offered. -- School Library Journal , starred review * "Yummy's story, which became a national media flashpoint, may seem like ancient history to prospective readers born years after the murders. . . But author's notes and an appended bibliography. . . assure readers this is the real deal." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , starred review * "Teens who enjoy standalone graphic novels will be drawn to the compelling story and art, and moved by the tragic unfolding of events. This novel would also be an excellent resource for a classroom discussion on gang violence." -- VOYA , starred review "Neri's straightforward, unadorned prose is the perfect complement to DuBurke's stark black-and-white inks; great slabs of shadow and masterfully rendered faces breathe real, tragic life into the players. Like Roger, in the end readers are left with troubling questions and, perhaps, one powerful answer: that they can choose to do everything in their power to ensure that no one shares Yummy's terrible fate." -- Publishers Weekly Coretta Scott King Author Award, American Library Association (ALA) Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Top Ten, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Editors' Choice, Booklist Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Notable Books for a Global Society, International Literacy Association (ILA) 100 Magnificent Children's Books, Fuse #8 Production, SLJ Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly CCBC Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Cybils Award - Graphic Novels, The Cybils Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award, Indiana Library Federation Glyph Award, The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) Louisiana Young Readers' Choice, State Library of Louisiana Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List, Texas Library Association (TLA) Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Once Upon a World Children's Book Award, The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Storytelling World Award, Storytelling World Street Literature Book Award - Emerging Classic, Street Literature Book Award Medal Committee Ten Best Nexus Graphica Books, SF Site Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Top Ten Great Graphic Novels, Booklist Virginia Readers' Choice, Virginia State Literacy Association, * "A much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers pondering the heady question of moral responsibility." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Tightly researched and sharply written. . . this is a graphic novel that pushes an unsightly but hard to ignore socio-political truth out into the open." -- Booklist , starred review * Framing the story through the eyes and voice of a fictional character, 11-year-old Roger, offers a bittersweet sense of authenticity while upholding an objective point of view. . . the exploration of "both sides of the story" is unflinchingly offered. -- School Library Journal , starred review * "Yummy's story, which became a national media flashpoint, may seem like ancient history to prospective readers born years after the murders. . . But author's notes and an appended bibliography. . . assure readers this is the real deal." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , starred review * "Teens who enjoy standalone graphic novels will be drawn to the compelling story and art, and moved by the tragic unfolding of events. This novel would also be an excellent resource for a classroom discussion on gang violence." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) , starred review "Neri's straightforward, unadorned prose is the perfect complement to DuBurke's stark black-and-white inks; great slabs of shadow and masterfully rendered faces breathe real, tragic life into the players. Like Roger, in the end readers are left with troubling questions and, perhaps, one powerful answer: that they can choose to do everything in their power to ensure that no one shares Yummy's terrible fate." -- Publishers Weekly Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor - American Library Association (ALA) Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Nominee Best Books - Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year - Publishers Weekly CCBC Choices - Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Editors' Choice - Booklist Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award - Indiana Library Federation Glyph Award Nominee - The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Top Ten - Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List - Texas Library Association (TLA) Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Shortlist - State Library of Louisiana Notable Books for a Global Society - International Literacy Association (ILA) Once Upon a World Children's Book Award - The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults - Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers - Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers - Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Virginia Readers' Choice - Virginia State Literacy Association, * "A much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers pondering the heady question of moral responsibility." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Tightly researched and sharply written. . . this is a graphic novel that pushes an unsightly but hard to ignore socio-political truth out into the open." -- Booklist , starred review * Framing the story through the eyes and voice of a fictional character, 11-year-old Roger, offers a bittersweet sense of authenticity while upholding an objective point of view. . . the exploration of "both sides of the story" is unflinchingly offered. -- School Library Journal , starred review * "Yummy's story, which became a national media flashpoint, may seem like ancient history to prospective readers born years after the murders. . . But author's notes and an appended bibliography. . . assure readers this is the real deal." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , starred review * "Teens who enjoy standalone graphic novels will be drawn to the compelling story and art, and moved by the tragic unfolding of events. This novel would also be an excellent resource for a classroom discussion on gang violence." -- VOYA , starred review "Neri's straightforward, unadorned prose is the perfect complement to DuBurke's stark black-and-white inks; great slabs of shadow and masterfully rendered faces breathe real, tragic life into the players. Like Roger, in the end readers are left with troubling questions and, perhaps, one powerful answer: that they can choose to do everything in their power to ensure that no one shares Yummy's terrible fate." -- Publishers Weekly Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, American Library Association (ALA) Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens, American Library Association (ALA) Editor's Choice, Booklist Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Notable Books for a Global Society, International Literacy Association (ILA) 100 Magnificent Children's Books, Fuse #8 Production, SLJ Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Cybils Award Winner - Graphic Novel Category, The Cybils Glyph Award Nominee, The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) Eisner Award Nomination, Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Once Upon a World Children's Book Award, The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives Storytelling World Honor Award, Storytelling World Street Lit Book Award, Emerging Classic Winner, Street Lit Book Award Medal Committee Ten Best Nexus Graphics Books, The SF Site Top 10 List, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Top Ten Great Graphic Novels, Booklist Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Program, Indiana Library Federation Louisiana Teen Readers' Choice Title List, State Library of Louisiana Maverick Graphic Novel List, Texas Library Association (TLA) Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, American Library Association Virginia Readers' Choice, Virginia State Reading Association, * "A much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers pondering the heady question of moral responsibility." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Tightly researched and sharply written. . . this is a graphic novel that pushes an unsightly but hard to ignore socio-political truth out into the open." -- Booklist , starred review * Framing the story through the eyes and voice of a fictional character, 11-year-old Roger, offers a bittersweet sense of authenticity while upholding an objective point of view. . . the exploration of "both sides of the story" is unflinchingly offered. -- School Library Journal , starred review * "Yummy's story, which became a national media flashpoint, may seem like ancient history to prospective readers born years after the murders. . . But author's notes and an appended bibliography. . . assure readers this is the real deal." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , starred review * "Teens who enjoy standalone graphic novels will be drawn to the compelling story and art, and moved by the tragic unfolding of events. This novel would also be an excellent resource for a classroom discussion on gang violence." -- VOYA , starred review "Neri's straightforward, unadorned prose is the perfect complement to DuBurke's stark black-and-white inks; great slabs of shadow and masterfully rendered faces breathe real, tragic life into the players. Like Roger, in the end readers are left with troubling questions and, perhaps, one powerful answer: that they can choose to do everything in their power to ensure that no one shares Yummy's terrible fate." -- Publishers Weekly Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, American Library Association (ALA) Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens, American Library Association (ALA) Editor's Choice, Booklist Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Notable Books for a Global Society, International Literacy Association (ILA) 100 Magnificent Children's Books, Fuse #8 Production, SLJ Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Cybils Award Winner - Graphic Novel Category, The Cybils Glyph Award Nominee, The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) Eisner Award Nomination, Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Once Upon a World Children's Book Award, The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, American Library Association (ALA) Storytelling World Award, Storytelling World Street Literature Book Award, Emerging Classic Winner, Street Literature Book Award Medal Committee Ten Best Nexus Graphica Books, The SF Site Top 10 List, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Top Ten Great Graphic Novels, Booklist Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Program, Indiana Library Federation Louisiana Teen Readers' Choice Title List, State Library of Louisiana Maverick Graphic Novel List, Texas Library Association (TLA) Virginia Readers' Choice, Virginia State Reading Association, * "A much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers pondering the heady question of moral responsibility." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Tightly researched and sharply written. . . this is a graphic novel that pushes an unsightly but hard to ignore socio-political truth out into the open." -- Booklist , starred review * Framing the story through the eyes and voice of a fictional character, 11-year-old Roger, offers a bittersweet sense of authenticity while upholding an objective point of view. . . the exploration of "both sides of the story" is unflinchingly offered. -- School Library Journal , starred review * "Yummy's story, which became a national media flashpoint, may seem like ancient history to prospective readers born years after the murders. . . But author's notes and an appended bibliography. . . assure readers this is the real deal." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , starred review * "Teens who enjoy standalone graphic novels will be drawn to the compelling story and art, and moved by the tragic unfolding of events. This novel would also be an excellent resource for a classroom discussion on gang violence." -- VOYA , starred review "Neri's straightforward, unadorned prose is the perfect complement to DuBurke's stark black-and-white inks; great slabs of shadow and masterfully rendered faces breathe real, tragic life into the players. Like Roger, in the end readers are left with troubling questions and, perhaps, one powerful answer: that they can choose to do everything in their power to ensure that no one shares Yummy's terrible fate." -- Publishers Weekly Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, American Library Association Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens, American Library Association (ALA) Editor's Choice, Booklist Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Notable Books for a Global Society, International Literacy Association (ILA) 100 Magnificent Children's Books, Fuse #8 Production, SLJ Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Cybils Award Winner - Graphic Novel Category, The Cybils Glyph Award Nominee, The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) Nomination, Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Once Upon a World Children's Book Award, The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives Storytelling World Honor Award, Storytelling World Street Lit Book Award, Emerging Classic Winner, Street Lit Book Award Medal Committee Ten Best Nexus Graphics Books, The SF Site Top 10 List, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Top Ten Great Graphic Novels, Booklist Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Program, Indiana Library Federation Louisiana Teen Readers' Choice Title List, State Library of Louisiana Maverick Graphic Novel List, Texas Library Association (TLA) Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, American Library Association Virginia Readers' Choice, Virginia State Reading Association, * "A much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers pondering the heady question of moral responsibility." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Tightly researched and sharply written. . . this is a graphic novel that pushes an unsightly but hard to ignore socio-political truth out into the open." -- Booklist , starred review * Framing the story through the eyes and voice of a fictional character, 11-year-old Roger, offers a bittersweet sense of authenticity while upholding an objective point of view. . . the exploration of "both sides of the story" is unflinchingly offered. -- School Library Journal , starred review * "Yummy's story, which became a national media flashpoint, may seem like ancient history to prospective readers born years after the murders. . . But author's notes and an appended bibliography. . . assure readers this is the real deal." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , starred review * "Teens who enjoy standalone graphic novels will be drawn to the compelling story and art, and moved by the tragic unfolding of events. This novel would also be an excellent resource for a classroom discussion on gang violence." -- VOYA , starred review "Neri's straightforward, unadorned prose is the perfect complement to DuBurke's stark black-and-white inks; great slabs of shadow and masterfully rendered faces breathe real, tragic life into the players. Like Roger, in the end readers are left with troubling questions and, perhaps, one powerful answer: that they can choose to do everything in their power to ensure that no one shares Yummy's terrible fate." -- Publishers Weekly Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, American Library Association (ALA) Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens, American Library Association (ALA) Editor's Choice, Booklist Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Notable Books for a Global Society, International Literacy Association (ILA) 100 Magnificent Children's Books, Fuse #8 Production, SLJ Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Cybils Award Winner - Graphic Novel Category, The Cybils Glyph Award Nominee, The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) Eisner Award Nomination, Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Once Upon a World Children's Book Award, The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, American Library Association (ALA) Storytelling World Award, Storytelling World Street Literature Book Award, Emerging Classic Winner, Street Literature Book Award Medal Committee Ten Best Nexus Graphica Books, The SF Site Top 10 List, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Top Ten Great Graphic Novels, Booklist Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award, Indiana Library Federation Louisiana Teen Readers' Choice Title List, State Library of Louisiana Maverick Graphic Novel List, Texas Library Association (TLA) Virginia Readers' Choice, Virginia State Reading Association, Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor; Best Books; Starred Review; Starred Review; Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens; Editor's Choice; Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers; Notable Books for a Global Society; 100 Magnificent Children's Books; Best Books of the Year; Choices; Cybils Award Winner - Graphic Novel Category; Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Program; Glyph Award Nominee; Highlighted Review; Louisiana Teen Readers' Choice Title List; Maverick Graphic Novel List; Nomination; Once Upon a World Children's Book Award; Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults; Starred Review; Storytelling World Honor Award; Street Lit Book Award, Emerging Classic Winner; Ten Best Nexus Graphica Books; Top 10 List, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers; Top Ten Great Graphic Novels; Virginia Readers' Choice, * "A much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers pondering the heady question of moral responsibility." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Tightly researched and sharply written. . . this is a graphic novel that pushes an unsightly but hard to ignore socio-political truth out into the open." -- Booklist , starred review * Framing the story through the eyes and voice of a fictional character, 11-year-old Roger, offers a bittersweet sense of authenticity while upholding an objective point of view. . . the exploration of "both sides of the story" is unflinchingly offered. -- School Library Journal , starred review * "Yummy's story, which became a national media flashpoint, may seem like ancient history to prospective readers born years after the murders. . . But author's notes and an appended bibliography. . . assure readers this is the real deal." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , starred review * "Teens who enjoy standalone graphic novels will be drawn to the compelling story and art, and moved by the tragic unfolding of events. This novel would also be an excellent resource for a classroom discussion on gang violence." -- VOYA , starred review "Neri's straightforward, unadorned prose is the perfect complement to DuBurke's stark black-and-white inks; great slabs of shadow and masterfully rendered faces breathe real, tragic life into the players. Like Roger, in the end readers are left with troubling questions and, perhaps, one powerful answer: that they can choose to do everything in their power to ensure that no one shares Yummy's terrible fate." -- Publishers Weekly Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor, American Library Association (ALA) Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens, American Library Association (ALA) Editor's Choice, Booklist Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Notable Books for a Global Society, International Literacy Association (ILA) 100 Magnificent Children's Books, Fuse #8 Production, SLJ Best Books of the Year, Publishers Weekly Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Cybils Award Winner - Graphic Novel Category, The Cybils Glyph Award Nominee, The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) Nomination, Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Once Upon a World Children's Book Award, The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives Storytelling World Honor Award, Storytelling World Street Lit Book Award, Emerging Classic Winner, Street Lit Book Award Medal Committee Ten Best Nexus Graphics Books, The SF Site Top 10 List, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers, American Library Association (ALA) Top Ten Great Graphic Novels, Booklist Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award Program, Indiana Library Federation Louisiana Teen Readers' Choice Title List, State Library of Louisiana Maverick Graphic Novel List, Texas Library Association (TLA) Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, American Library Association Virginia Readers' Choice, Virginia State Reading Association, * "Tightly researched and sharply written. . . This is a graphic novel that pushes an unsightly but hard to ignore socio-political truth out into the open." -- Booklist , starred review * "Comics illustrator DuBurke's gritty black-and-white artwork employs foreshortened backgrounds to bring the action right up in the reader's face, whether it's talking heads calmly discussing their theories on Yummy's disordered personality, families in mourning, or a semiautomatic pointed directly out of the frame. . . Heartbreakingly contemporary." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , starred review * "A much-needed look at the terrifying perils of life on the margins that will have all readers pondering the heady question of moral responsibility." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * Framing the story through the eyes and voice of a fictional character, 11-year-old Roger, offers a bittersweet sense of authenticity while upholding an objective point of view. . . the exploration of "both sides of the story" is unflinchingly offered. -- School Library Journal , starred review "Compassionate and unflinching." -- Gene Luen Yang, award-winning cartoonist and former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature "Neri's straightforward, unadorned prose is the perfect complement to DuBurke's stark black-and-white inks; great slabs of shadow and masterfully rendered faces breathe real, tragic life into the players. Like Roger, in the end readers are left with troubling questions and, perhaps, one powerful answer: that they can choose to do everything in their power to ensure that no one shares Yummy's terrible fate." -- Publishers Weekly Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor - American Library Association (ALA) Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Nominee ALSC Notable Children's Books - American Library Association (ALA) Best Books - Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year - Publishers Weekly CCBC Choices - Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Editors' Choice - Booklist Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award - Indiana Library Federation Garden State Teen Book Awards - New Jersey Library Association Glyph Award Nominee - The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Top Ten - Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Little Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List - Texas Library Association (TLA) Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Shortlist - State Library of Louisiana Notable Books for a Global Society - International Literacy Association (ILA) Once Upon a World Children's Book Award - The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers - Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Rhode Island Teen Book Award - Rhode Island Library Association Virginia Readers' Choice - Virginia State Literacy Association