MG Book Review: Legends of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke

LEGENDS OF ZITA THE SPACEGIRL
written and illustrated by Ben Hatke
First Second, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59643-447-9
Grades 3-6
Reviewed from personal copy.

Ben Hatke brings back our intrepid space heroine for another delightful sci-fi/fantasy adventure. Zita is determined to find her way home to earth, following the events of the first book. But things are never simple, and certainly never easy, in space.

Zita's exploits from her first adventure have made her an intergalactic megastar! But she's about to find out that fame doesn't come without a price. And who can you trust when your true self is being eclipsed by your public persona, and you've got a robot doppelganger wreaking havoc . . . while wearing your face?

Still, if anyone can find their way through this intractible mess of mistaken identity and alien invaders, it's the indomitable Zita, in Legends of Zita the Spacegirl.

REVIEW

This is another fun graphic novel for middle grade readers. Zita is a determined and courageous character who hopes to one day return to earth, in the meantime she has become a galactic hero after saving a planet in her first adventure (Zita the Spacegirl).  Unfortunately fame has its price and when she is forced to steal a space ship to try to reconnect with her friends, she becomes a wanted fugitive. Can she catch up to her friends and save another planet from doom? Of course she can, she is Zita the Spacegirl!

I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy a light, fun, quick read full of interesting characters, great plot twists, and creative settings.  The illustrations are bright and appealing, the action intense but not graphic.  I look forward to many more Zita adventures.