Review: Magic Pickle

By: Scott Morse

Scholastic; 2008; 112 Pages

Graphic Novel

Grades: Second-Seventh

ISBN: 978-0-439-87995-8

Agent Kosher is a radiated pickle who was put into a cryogenic sleep until the Brotherhood of Evil Produce came out of hiding. When he re-emerges he finds that his lab is now below JoJo, a little girl's, bedroom...and nothing is going to keep her from joining him on his escapades!

My Thoughts:
This graphic novel has a very unique premise...super powered produce. It also has engaging text and illustrations that are a great introduction to the graphic novel genre. I appreciated how, when there are multiple speakers in a frame, the speech bubbles were different colors in addition to pointing toward the speaker. This is a good way for newer readers to learn how speech bubbles work, and minimizes confusion. The text itself is hilarious. Morse uses LOTS of puns, many of which are more for parental benefit than children. It introduces concepts that kids may want to explore later, like communism and cryogenics, as well.

The characters in this book definitely have personality. JoJo is quick thinking, independent, and inquisitive...all characteristics that children will want to emulate. (Plus, she wears footie pajamas!) The Magic Pickle, Agent Kosher, seems to dismiss JoJo as just a little girl. This is a reaction that a lot of kids may experience. JoJo's handling of the situation, her insistance of being respected and included, may empower young readers. The fact that they take down the Romaine Gladiator (via a garbage disposal) is just the icing on the cake!

The Thoughts of Others:
Library School Journal's Elizabeth Bird reviewed the graphic novel in March. 2008. She seemed as enamored with it as I am. She noted that "Morse’s drawing style is this elastic, energetic series of shifting panels and inserts. Images are constantly overlapping or going panel-less for maximum effect."

Kirkus Reviews utilized Morse's own punning sense when they called the book "diverting and dill-ectable." They felt that it was well executed, and that the story and characters were engaging.