Batpig: Go Pig or Go Home

by Rob Harrell, Rob Harrell (Illustrator)

Overview

In this epic graphic novel featuring the world’s most heroic super-swine, Batpig’s fame is growing . . . and so are the supervillains he’s facing at school and camp—perfect for fans of The Bad Guys and InvestiGators

Gary Yorkshire and his friends, Carl and Brooklyn, are up against what might be their scariest missions yet: Magical, presidential sharks and summer camp! First there’s the sudden appearance of Sharkraham Lincoln (Half shark! Half 16th President!), who sets off a major test cheating scandal. And then at Camp Moldy Snout (not a great start!), Gary’s hoping for a laid back, chill summer with his friends, but shifting friendship dynamics make that harder than expected . . . and so does the grumpy lake monster. Will Batpig ever catch a break to just relax and enjoy a tasty sandwich?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593531945
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	03/14/2023
Series:	A Batpig Book , #3
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	200,680
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	GN260L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 12 Years

About the Author

Rob Harrell is the author/illustrator of Wink and the Batpig series, created the Life of Zarf series, the graphic novel Monster on the Hill, and also writes and draws the long-running daily comic strip Adam@Home, which appears in more than 140 papers worldwide. He created and drew the internationally syndicated comic strip Big Top until 2007. He lives with his pup in Indiana.

Editorial Reviews

"Harrell’s newest installment is a full-color comic delight, going whole-hog (pun intended) on all things silly while maintaining the irresistible charm established by its predecessors. Each tale conveys a gentle message alongside the humor . . . A consistent crowd pleaser for sure." —Kirkus

"This briskly paced middle grade graphic novel is a great pick for those who enjoy extreme silliness and anthropomorphic animals. Quirky character designs, dark linework, and an overabundance of text result in illustrations that burst with as much enthusiasm as Gary has for Pop-Tarts." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/01/2023

Gr 2–4—Batpig, aka Gary Yorkshire, is back in this third graphic novel in the series from author/illustrator Harrell, split into two stories. First, Gary cuts corners with magic powder when preparing for a test and ends up cheating with the help of Sharkraham Lincoln. When an evil squidclown later appears on the roof of Gary's school and begins a reign of benign devastation, it's up to Batpig to save the day and undo the effects of his academic dishonesty. In the second story, Gary, along with fish Carl and bat Brook, are off to Camp Moldy Snout, where Carl accidentally angers lake monster Grumbles when he pollutes the lake with bug spray made from pork by-products. While saving the day, Batpig accidentally reveals his identity, which leads to a personal crisis over anonymity versus celebrity. This briskly paced middle grade graphic novel is a great pick for those who enjoy extreme silliness and anthropomorphic animals. Quirky character designs, dark linework, and an overabundance of text result in illustrations that burst with as much enthusiasm as Gary has for Pop-Tarts. VERDICT A unique take on superheroes that can be read as a standalone or as part of the series.

School Library Journal

2022-12-14
A porcine superhero returns for his third graphic novel adventure.

Gary is back for more giggle-inducing escapades that unfold over two short tales. In the first, “Careful What You Wish For,” he worries about an upcoming history test. Instead of just staying home and studying, he goes out as Batpig, his alter ego, saving a magic-store owner from a vandal and in return being gifted a magical powder that will help him learn whatever he needs. Predictably—albeit with hilarious results—the spell does not go as planned, and a giant green squid clown, or squown, threatens his school and classmates. Will Gary admit that wishing for good grades is not the same as earning them? In the second offering, “Camp Danger,” Gary, along with pals Brook and Carl, is off to sleep-away Camp Moldy Snout. Carl and Brook make new friends easily, leaving Gary feeling left out. When a series of events leads a lake monster to frighten his fellow campers, Gary makes the pivotal decision to save the day, thus revealing his secret identity to the campers—and unbeknownst to him, his greatest adversary, The Butcher. Harrell’s newest installment is a full-color comic delight, going whole-hog (pun intended) on all things silly while maintaining the irresistible charm established by its predecessors. Each tale conveys a gentle message alongside the humor. Animal and human characters coexist; humans depicted show a range of skin tones.

A consistent crowd pleaser for sure. (Graphic fiction. 7-12)

Kirkus Reviews