City of Secrets
written and illustrated by
Victoria Ying
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
Penguin Random House
Imprint
Viking
ISBN
9780593114483
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Crime: Against Children , Violence: Death
Ever Barnes is a shy orphan who lives in a puzzle-box building (think an architectural Transformer) that is also a multi level switchboard center, the communications hub of his city. He’s the last of a family that’s guarded a precious safe—contents unknown—for generations. All Ever knows is that what’s in that safe protects the city and that his father was killed because he wouldn’t give up the secret of the safe.
Ever is resigned to living on his own in the swtichboard building, where he knows every nook and cranny, and all the cranks and levers that operate the complicated complex. Some of the nicer young women who work there give him food on the sly. He’s got his job: stay out of sight and protect the safe hidden deep in the maze of the building. Ever is the only one who knows about it. Or is he?
Ever’s lonely existence is upended by when Hannah, the daughter of the building’s owner, shows up and spots the orphan in hiding. Hannah is determined to befriend Ever. His avoidance and her pursuit set off an unexpected series of events. Two things quickly become very clear: someone else knows Ever’s secret and wants in on it. And having a friend is a very good thing when a whole whole evil goon squad is after you!
Full-color illustrations.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Crime: Against Children , Violence: Death
Details
Format
Page Count
256
Trim Size
9" x 6"
Dewey
F
AR
3: points 1
Lexile
HL390L
Genre
Fiction
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Sep 2020
Book Genres
Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Steampunk
Topics
Secret societies. Adventure and adventurers. Spies. Orphans.
Standard MARC Records
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Cover Art
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Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
School Library Journal
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
A scrappy orphan named Ever Barnes knows the city of Oskars is hiding something important—but what? He spends his days hiding in the Switchboard Operating Facility, a building made up of cogs and interconnected layers. Mr. Morgan, the facility’s new owner, is proud of his acquisition. His daughter, Hannah, is eager to explore the building and perhaps befriend this orphan boy she keeps hearing about. Hannah often feels constrained by her mother’s expectation to act like a lady and would much prefer to wear pants and get into scrapes. Ever overcomes his initial reluctance to let Hannah into his life when it becomes clear that the men who killed his father are now after him, too. Lisa, a plucky switchboard operator, is a fantastic side character who’s hiding a few secrets of her own. Underground societies, family codes, and danger abound. While there’s a lot of story to keep track of, it all comes together in the end. The primary mystery is revealed at the last moment and sets up the potential for future volumes. Ying’s panels are fluid and inviting. Vibrant action scenes are mostly wordless and showcase the intricate and impressive design. Exploring the steampunk city is an adventure for Hannah and Ever and for readers. An appealing steampunk graphic novel for fans of Jen Wang’s The Prince and the Dressmaker.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-6-A scrappy orphan named Ever Barnes knows the city of Oskars is hiding something important-but what? He spends his days hiding in the Switchboard Operating Facility, a building made up of cogs and interconnected layers. Mr. Morgan, the facility's new owner, is proud of his acquisition. His daughter, Hannah, is eager to explore the building and perhaps befriend this orphan boy she keeps hearing about. Hannah often feels constrained by her mother's expectation to act like a lady and would much prefer to wear pants and get into scrapes. Ever overcomes his initial reluctance to let Hannah into his life when it becomes clear that the men who killed his father are now after him, too. Lisa, a plucky switchboard operator, is a fantastic side character who's hiding a few secrets of her own. Underground societies, family codes, and danger abound. While there's a lot of story to keep track of, it all comes together in the end. The primary mystery is revealed at the last moment and sets up the potential for future volumes. Ying's panels are fluid and inviting. Vibrant action scenes are mostly wordless and showcase the intricate and impressive design. Exploring the steampunk city is an adventure for Hannah and Ever and for readers. VERDICT An appealing steampunk graphic novel for fans of Jen Wang's The Prince and the Dressmaker.-Gretchen Hardin, Bee Cave P.L., TX?(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Book-length narratives presented in comic book style, graphic novels foster both visual and verbal comprehension skills while exposing readers to interesting dialogue and satire, as well as affirming diversity.
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