the stonekeeper

the stonekeeper
amulet series #1
kazu kibuishi
graphic novel/fantasy/adventure/ya
scholastic 
published 2008

After a family tragedy, Emily, Navin and their mother move to an ancestral home to start a new life.  On the family's very first night in the mysterious house, Em and Navin's mom is kidnapped by a tentacled creature.  Now it's up to Em and Navin to figure out how to set things right and save their mother's life!

Why does every graphic novel I read require the death of one or both parents!!  It's so sad.  Like a Disney movie!

It's bad enough, the loss of a father, but actually witnessing his death is sure to make a kid grow up fast.  And Emily has.  She's serious and strong and she doesn't have a problem making tough choices.  Still, she's a young kid and pushes back a little to show she's not entirely happy with the changes that are taking place.  She finds a beautiful necklace in her great-grandfather's old study and from that moment on things will never be the same.

The art is without a doubt fantastic.  I was recommended this series by a friend who had mentioned that Kazu Kibuishi is doing the reprint covers for the Harry Potter series.  I've only seen the first one so far and I love it so it was pretty much guaranteed I would love these.

Miskit is my favorite.  How can you resist a pink bunny that talks?!!?  The story does move fast, I figure mostly because this is geared towards kids.  But it's interesting and page turning and full of mystery.