Thirteen-year-old Dinah Lance knows exactly what she wants, who she is, and where she’s going. First, she’ll win the battle of the bands with her two best friends, then she’ll join the Gotham City Junior Police Academy so she can solve crimes just like her dad. Who knows, her rock-star group of friends may even save the world, but first they’ll need to agree on a band name. When a mysterious figure keeps getting in the way of Dinah’s goals and threatens her friends and family, she’ll learn more about herself, her mother’s secret past, and navigating the various power chords of life.
With expressive and energetic art by Cara McGee to match the trademark attitude and spunk of Meg Cabot’s characters and dialogue, this mother-daughter story embraces the highs and lows of growing up without growing out of what makes us unique. It’s an inspirational song that encourages readers to find their own special voices to sing along with Black Canary!
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‘Black Canary: Ignite’ Trailer Shows Off DC’s Middle Grade Graphic Novel (Exclusive)
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The Black Canary takes flight.
Cabot does well by Dinah Lance, embracing the spunky attitude Dinah fans adore.
Newcomers to the character will find just as much to enjoy here as those already familiar with her.
A cool blast of colorful energy.
In this fun romp, Cabot (Royal Crown) and McGee (Dodge City) give DC’s heroine, Black Canary, an origin story as a young teen. Dinah Lance and her band mates Vee and Kat are preparing for the Gotham City Junior High battle of the bands when her father, Detective Lance, bursts in to announce that the Joker is loose again. Each of the three girls vows to make a difference, like Dinah’s father, and Dinah plans to sign up for the Gotham City Junior Police Academy. Then the trio notices that when Dinah gets emotional and yells, glass breaks, among other strange occurrences. Her parents reveal that she has a superpower, a “sonic canary cry,” and Dinah begins to juggle her desires to keep her secret and to keep her friends. McGee’s artwork has a manga-inspired look and a pleasing, lavender-heavy palette. Middle graders discovering their own talents and voices will find much to appreciate. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)
Gr 5-8–Thirteen-year-old Dinah Lance has always been a loudmouth. Career week at Gotham City Junior High has her wondering how she will use her powerful voice in her future. Will she become a cheerleader? Or a rock star with her band? Or follow her true dream: to become a Gotham City police officer like her father? But lately Dinah’s voice has been causing more trouble than fun. Every time she gets angry or upset, nearby glass mysteriously shatters. When the escaped villain Bonfire breaks into Dinah’s mother’s flower shop, her mother reveals her own superhero past: she was the one who put Bonfire behind bars. Dinah’s future as a caped crusader has suddenly become clear, and now she must evade Bonfire, who’s dead set on revenge. Cabot’s take on this origin story is delightfully breezy, as the author once again displays her remarkable knack for capturing the middle school voice. Her Dinah is refreshingly audacious and charmingly flawed, quick to stand up to bullies but also to put her foot in her mouth. McGee’s illustrations are confectionary. Her palette overflows with bright purple, pink, and turquoise. Characterization is spot on—Dinah is kinetically fierce, but the characters also have a manga-esque sweetness.
VERDICT: A charming superhero origin story about finding your voice; perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier.–Anna Murphy, Berkeley Carroll School, Brooklyn
