Tiffany's Griffon

by Maddi Gonzalez, Magnolia Porter Porter Siddell

Overview

Marnie Plummer is a bookish, lonely girl with a chip on her shoulder. There’s nothing she cares about more than her favorite book series, The Griffon Riders of Crystalfall. When it miraculously turns out that the world of the books is actually real, and they need a Chosen One to come from the real world and save them from danger, Marnie is shocked and—of course—overjoyed.

There’s just one problem.

The Chosen One they seek is not actually her—it’s Tiffany Rodriguez, the pretty, popular girl who (in Marnie’s eyes) already has everything she could ever want. Why should Tiffany get to have this, too? Marnie decides she’s the one who deserves to be the Chosen One. She’ll make it happen no matter what, even if she has to do something she’d never thought she could do: become Tiffany’s friend.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250394453
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	08/13/2024
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Magnolia Porter Siddell is a cartoonist and writer living in Rhode Island with her husband and son. She loves birds, old movies, and stories which are both fantastic and human.

Maddi Gonzalez is a cartoonist from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

Maddi Gonzalez is a cartoonist from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

Magnolia Porter Siddell is a cartoonist and writer living in Rhode Island with her husband and son. She loves birds, old movies, and stories which are both fantastic and human.

Editorial Reviews

05/27/2024

Cartoonists Gonzalez (Welcome to Wonderland) and Porter Siddell turn the tables on familiar tropes in this crackling fantasy graphic novel. Blond, bespectacled Marnie Plummer yearns for adventure. When elements from her cherished book series the Griffon Riders of Crystalfall seemingly come to life, a messenger appears and tells her that they are looking for the Chosen One, upon whom they will bestow a mythical griffon egg. Marnie seems delighted that she will be the redeemer of her favorite series, until the messenger informs her that the prophesied hero’s name is Tiffany Rodriguez, a popular brown-skinned girl whom Marnie detests. Though not pleased with this reality, Marnie befriends Tiffany, hoping to still be included in her magical duty (and maybe usurp her Chosen One status). Stylized art underscores a broad yet energetic narrative; visual fantasy elements leap off the page, while grounded storytelling chronicles Marnie’s journey in learning how to be more empathetic and shedding her bitterness and envy of Tiffany. The girls’ dynamic provides verisimilitude and buoyant humor to Marnie’s complicated feelings and the simple messaging about the lessons learned on both make-believe quests and in the bonds forged with others IRL. Ages 10–14.Agent: Susan Graham, Einstein Literary Management. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, Tiffany's Griffon is an unforgettable story about isolation, creativity, and the power of human connection. Absolutely magical!" —Gale Galligan, adapter and artist for the Baby-sitters Club 5-8

“Brilliant, expressive cartooning and fantastic artwork drew me right into Marnie & Tiffany's story—a hilarious, compelling, and heartfelt adventure that I couldn't put down!" —Carey Pietch, cartoonist & co-adaptor on The Adventure Zone graphic novel series

"Gorgeously drawn and raucously funny, Tiffany's Griffon is a brilliant love letter to the magic inherent in stories, and a vital reminder to nurture the most sincere (and cringe) parts of ourselves.” —Ariel Ries, author of Witchy

"Built-in meta-humor compounds the laughs as fantasy and reality collide...An emotionally affecting work that explores the power of stories." —Kirkus, starred review

"A good addition to any middle grade graphic novel collection." –School Library Journal

From the Publisher

07/01/2024

Gr 6–8—Fantasy becomes reality when preteen Marnie is gifted a griffon egg. However, the egg is really meant for someone else—The Chosen One, who it turns out is actually a girl named Tiffany. Marnie is a dedicated reader while Tiffany is a sports-loving social butterfly, but the two girls form an unlikely friendship. Readers will delight in the adventure as Marnie's favorite story "Griffon Riders" goes from fiction to fact, but their friendship is tested when Tiffany discovers the truth that Marnie was never The Chosen One. At its core, this quest-filled story is about friendship and integrity. Fans of The Witch's Throne by Cedric Caballes and Magical Boy by The Kao will find lots to love in Gonzalez and Porter Siddell's graphic novel. VERDICT A good addition to any middle grade graphic novel collection.—Meaghan Nichols

School Library Journal

★ 2024-05-17
A self-absorbed fangirl opens up to others after a fantasy portal opens up to her.

Marnie Plummer relishes the Griffon Riders fantasy novels for the escapism and friendship they provide. Extroverted, popular classmates like Tiffany Rodriguez fill Marnie with self-loathing, but the girls’ paths intertwine when the squat blue fairy Orion, who resembles a winged tapir, appears and mistakes Marnie for Tiffany, the chosen one who can save their world from the Witch Elel. Marnie doesn’t correct the mix-up; shouldn’t the glory go to a real fan? Nevertheless, Marnie and Tiffany end up raising a baby griffon together and bonding over each other’s interests. Marnie ushers Tiffany into the worlds of fanfiction and fanart, while Tiffany turns out to be harboring worries over her father’s health as well as a secret same-sex crush. Porter Siddell infuses the evolving friendship and eventual fantasy-adventure with a great sense of humor, for example through Marnie’s looks of disappointment each time cheerleader Tiffany obliviously proves to be a natural chosen one. Built-in meta-humor compounds the laughs as fantasy and reality collide, and a tragically clarifying flashback will have readers as much in tears as the protagonists. Gonzalez’s art, in muted, dusty pastels, effectively uses shadow and light to draw readers’ attention to the dramatic focal points of the varied panels. Blond, bespectacled Marnie reads white; brown-skinned Tiffany is cued Latine.

An emotionally affecting work that explores the power of stories. (rough layouts, character sketches) (Graphic fiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews