Babymouse #12: Burns Rubber

In this, her twelfth adventure, the cupcake-obsessed rodent discovers a new sport: soapbox derby! But Babymouse lacks the focus to build a racecar, and so calls on her best friend, Wilson, to "help." But being Babymouse's helper is a demanding job, and Wilson might not have time to fix his own ride. When Chuck E. Cheetah, three-time derby winner, scoffs at Wilson's skill, what will Babymouse do? Is it possible to dislike Babymouse? She is such a winning character that it is hard to imagine anybody having bad things to say about her. Like all Babymouse volumes, the joy in this book comes from Babymouse's uniquely scattered perspective; while it might not be good for Babymouse when she drifts off into fantasyland, it's great for the reader. Holm and Holm put Babymouse in a chariot race, in a hot-air balloon, even in the climax of a movie set long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. These sequences are an opportunity for some of the most joyous and playful art in comics, all rendered in trademark shades of pink, black, and white. The fun and energy in these books are second to none, and young readers (and a few older ones) will be happy to see Babymouse back on the track. -- Merideth Jenson-Benjamin

The lastest Babymouse adventure, Babymouse #12: Burns Rubber, has my students fighting over who gets to read it next! I teach fifth grade and I can't keep this series on my classroom bookshelf! I've tried sneaking in other graphic novels, but all the kids, boys and girls, prefer this series! Jennifer Holm is a huge hit! The number one question: "When does the next one come out?"

In the latest installment of the In this addition to the Babymouse series, Babymouse and her friend Wilson are preparing to enter the Downhill Derby. Wilson has been working on his soapbox racer for months, but when Babymouse decides to enter too, he joins in to help Babymouse out. Will they win the trophy against standing champion Chuck E. Cheetah? If you've never read a Babymouse book before, now is the time to start! This pink-printed graphic novel is great for reluctant readers, graphic novel enthusiasts, and veteran Babymouse fans alike. In this tale filled with the perils of fractions, quicksand, bent bicycle wheels, mud, and aliens, Babymouse is up to her old tricks once again. These books just seem to get better as they go along, with this volume incorporating everything from ancient Rome and video games to the Titanic and //Star Wars//. The book is fun to read and also has a great message (without being overbearing). The occasional banter between Babymouse and the narrator adds a great humor element to the plot. Babymouse might not look like she has what it takes to win the derby trophy, but you can bet on one thing... nothing stops Babymouse! Reviewed by Alyssa Feller