CYBILS GRAPHIC NOVEL NOMINEE (YA): Ash's Cabin by Jen Wang
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ash has always felt alone.
Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids Ash’s age are more interested in pop stars and popularity contests than in fighting for change. Even Ash’s family seems to be sleepwalking through life.
The only person who ever seemed to get Ash was their Grandpa Edwin. Before he died, he used to talk about building a secret cabin, deep in the California wilderness. Did he ever build it? What if it’s still there, waiting for him to come back…or for Ash to find it? To Ash, that maybe-mythical cabin is starting to feel like the perfect place for a fresh start and an escape from the miserable feeling of alienation that haunts their daily life.
But making the wilds your home isn’t easy. And as much as Ash wants to be alone…can they really be happy alone? Can they survive alone?
From New York Times –bestselling author and illustrator Jen Wang comes a singularly affecting story about self-discovery, self-reliance, and the choice to live when it feels like you have no place in the world.
REVIEW
This journal-like graphic novel sends readers into the woods with the main character, Ash. Ash feels like no one listens to them, at school or at home. As they wrestle with their place in the world, they decide to flee society in search of a hidden cabin her grandfather built in the woods near his ranch. Despite her best efforts to gather the proper equipment and learn how to survive on their own, it proves to be much more difficult than they imagined. It's fascinating to see how Ash learns to fish, gather plants, and fix up the cabin. The amount of knowledge they gain from the books and guides they have is remarkable, but as with many things in life the books can't give them the practical knowledge needed to really thrive. Luckily, they run into a more experienced camper who teaches them a lot, not just about survival but about society and people needing people. Ultimately though, after several setbacks and near disasters, Ash must decide what they value most and how much that will cost them. Not only is this an intriguing survival story but it's a glimpse into what growing up feels like and the challenges of coming to grips with the real world, natural or human. The gorgeous art shines brightly from each page with great detail. Teenage readers will find much here to relate to as Ash navigates an often confusing and difficult world.
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