Lois Lane and the Friendship Challenge

by Grace Ellis, Brittney L. Williams (Illustrator)

Overview

From New York Times bestselling author Grace Ellis (Lumberjanes) and artist Brittney Williams (Goldie Vance) comes a new story about 13-year-old Lois Lane as she navigates the confusing worlds of social media and friendship.

It's the first day of summer break in the sleepy town of Liberty View, and young Lois Lane bursts onto the scene with what she knows is a sure-to-go-viral video channel. Okay, maybe her platform only receives two views a week (thanks, Mom), and maybe her best friend, Kristen, isn't quite as enthusiastic about social media, but when Lois sets her mind on something, there's no turning back.

At the end of the week, the big neighborhood barbecue and bike race will be the perfect backdrop to Lois and Kristen's #friendshipchallenge video. But when the girls find out the annual fireworks are missing, Lois doubles down on her efforts for fame, testing her friendship in ways she couldn't imagine.

With Kristen leaving for sleepaway camp after the barbeque and a new girl on the block taking all of Kristen's attention, will Lois be able to find the missing fireworks, celebrate the summer, and post the best #friendshipchallenge the internet has ever seen? Or will she have to face her challenges IRL?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781401296377
Publisher:	DC Comics
Publication date:	08/11/2020
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	662,673
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Grace Ellis is a writer best known for co-creating and co-writing Lumberjanes, a New York Times bestselling, Eisner and GLAAD award-winning comic, though you won't hear her brag about it unless you ask her directly. She has written several episodes of the animated series Bravest Warriors. Grace lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she co-parents a preternaturally smart cat, even though she's more of a dog person.

Brittney Williams is a storyboard and comic book artist who draws A LOT. In 2012 she interned at Walt Disney Animation Studios as a storyboard artist. Since then, she's worked for a variety of animation studios and publishers including DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks TV, BOOM! Studios and Marvel Comics. As a two-time GLAAD Award nominee, she exists to create things for kids and the queer community.

Editorial Reviews

06/08/2020

Thirteen-year-old Lois Lane wants two things: to go viral on VidMe by participating in famous VidMer Lottie Live’s #FriendshipChallenge, and to completely ignore the fact that her best friend, Kristen Li, is leaving soon for sleepaway camp. Each summer, Lois and Kristen “celebrate friend-iversary during the fireworks after the jamboree bike race,” but this year, an anonymous threat and subsequent firework theft puts Lois, Kristen, and Wheel Fun Bikes shop owner Mrs. Ramirez on edge. Suspects include newcomer Izzy Kent, who’s visiting her aunt Dawn for the summer, and a corporate competitor, Cyclone Bikes owner Jana. The heroine is far from the Pulitzer Prize–winning Lois Lane of the future, though, and despite guidance from a newspaper intern, Lois struggles to solve the mystery. Though Williams (the Goldie Vance series) breathes life into characters with a delightfully expressive style, a softly shaded color palette detracts from the energy that her cartoon-leaning art injects. Some convoluted plot points from Ellis (Lumberjanes) offer little consequence, and characters act a bit young, but this is an otherwise charming story about the dangers of social media idolatry and emotional processing avoidance. Ages 8–12. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

07/01/2020

Gr 3–7—It's Lois Lane as we've never seen her before—envious, anti-journalism, and 13. Her biggest fear involves her best friend Kristen Li going away to summer camp without her, but that's OK because Lois has plenty of activities to distract them from the impending separation—like building up an online brand by posting videos in which she pranks others. Mystery crosses Lois and Kristen's paths as a new girl in town, a potentially rigged bicycle race, and a shady thief all lead Lois to jump to conclusions about the motives of everyone around her. Local newspaper intern Henri Ortiz is a moderating voice of wisdom, but hardly anyone can contain the manic ball of energy that is Lois. She is a grandstander, a poser, and a tumbler in equal measure, with each role pulling big laughs. Between Ellis's writing and Williams's art, the comedic timing from panel to panel is impeccable, and Lois's exaggerated facial expressions are hilarious. There are tender lessons by the end about vulnerability, authenticity, and the difference between journalism and justice. Any connections to the DC universe are only tenuous, making this one ideal for all readers, from die-hard comics fans to DC newcomers. VERDICT Lois Lane's colorful riot of an adventure will entice readers of "Lumberjanes" and devotees of Raina Telgemeier and Svetlana Chmakova.—Thomas Maluck, Richland Lib., SC

School Library Journal

2020-04-12
A young Lois Lane solves a mystery.

It’s the first day of 13-year-old Lois Lane’s summer vacation, and she has her sights set on creating a perfect viral video. Lois’ friend Kristen is a bit less focused on the task at hand, anxiously anticipating her departure for sleepaway camp. Kristen’s set to leave shortly after the annual neighborhood bike race—which may be the perfect backdrop for Lois’ #FriendshipChallenge video. But when the fireworks for the post–bike race barbecue go missing, Lois and Kristen take up the case, investigating the new girl on the block and the proprietor of the fancy new bike shop. Lois’ first mystery is composed with energetic panel work and dynamic compositions, colored with deep greens, blues, and purples. The central mystery is a bit routine, but the outcome shades the central friendship between Kristen and Lois in a pleasant-enough way to make the enterprise seem worthwhile. Hardcore DC fans may be a bit disappointed: There’s very little branded content to be had here—no hints at Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, etc. This is Lois Lane’s story, and while it may not work as an introduction to the hero-filled universe, it works wonderfully as a celebration of the character’s pluck and can-do attitude. Lois and Kristen both present white, but there’s significant diversity among the supporting cast.

A nifty starter mystery. (Graphic mystery. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews