Adorable Empire: A Graphic Novel - by Laura Terry

Book Synopsis

From the creator of Graveyard Shakes, a funny and charmingly offbeat middle-grade graphic novel for fans of The Witch Boy and Making Friends.

Nothing has been going right for Jinx. People at school think she's a goth weirdo, and now her parents are getting divorced. She has to move to an unfamiliar apartment building that doesn't feel like home -- and that doesn't have her dad. And when a new neighbor gives her a mysterious crystal, her life is turned even more upside down by the Adorables, a mischievous band of magical creatures. They are messy, distracting, and, worst of all, they follow Jinx everywhere. She just wants to be left alone! (Well, maybe she's okay with getting to know another girl in her building, Robyn, a little better...) Getting rid of the Adorables turns out to be harder than expected, but they might just help Jinx find her way back to happiness.

Review Quotes

Praise for Adorable Empire:

"Sincere emotions punctuated with funny and magical moments elevate this charming work. Engagingly original, featuring a likable protagonist and plenty of humor and tenderness." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Graveyard Shakes:

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

"Poignant." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The striking illustrations are simple and endearing, tempering the mood of the more frightening scenes...A great addition to graphic novel collections; hand to fans of Raina Telgemeier." -- School Library Journal

"Affirming girl power and the importance of staying true to yourself, this story will resonate with readers who, like Katia, build relationships on their own terms." -- Kirkus Reviews

"That the afterlife can be as complicated as regular life will strike a wryly funny note with young outcasts and loners, but Terry never loses sight of the idea that even misfits can find community by being themselves." -- Publishers Weekly

"Terry's soft colors and bold lines bring the emotions of her story to life and will appeal to the eyes of readers who enjoy Raina Telgemeier's or Ben Hatke's work." -- Booklist

About the Author

Laura Terry is the creator of Graveyard Shakes, which was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and illustrated Anna Strong and the Revolutionary War Culper Spy Ring. After a childhood misspent raising pigs, selling hot dogs, and drawing princesses, Laura ran away to the relative splendor of an all-girls boarding school. She later graduated from Pratt Institute and the Center for Cartoon Studies. Laura now spends her days in Brooklyn with her poodle, Muffin. To learn more, visit her online at lauraterry.com.