Explorer (the Mystery Boxes #1) by Kibuishi, Kazu

"All the stories offer top-notch storytelling while providing readers with something more to think about." --Publishers Weekly
STARRED REVIEW *"An outstanding out-of-the box anthology from renowned comics veteran Kibuishi . . . Both a visual feast for the eyes and a healthy helping of thought for the soul. Superb." --Kirkus Reviews

Seven clever stories answer one simple question: What's in the box?

Funny, fantastic, spooky, and suspenseful, each of these unique and beautifully illustrated short graphic works revolves around a central theme: a mysterious box and the marvels--or mayhem--that is hidden inside.

Artists include middle school favorites Kazu Kibuishi, Raina Telgemeier (Smile), and Dave Roman (Astronaut Academy), as well as Jason Caffoe, Stu Livingston, Johane Matte, Rad Sechrist (all contributors to the groundbreaking comics anthology series Flight), and Emily Carroll.

Award-winning artist Kazu Kibuishi's selection creates a mixture of laughs and creeps (with some philosophy) as well as the kind of graphical triumphs expected from Kibuishi's other collections. With gorgeously detailed full-color artwork, there is a spooky tale of a sinister doppelgänger invading a girl's life by up-and-coming comics star Emily Carroll; Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier's comedy of wizarding errors and online bidding wars; and Rad Sechrist's romp involving a teenage girl, an introduction to the basics of Shintoism, and a manic butter thief driving a grandma to the brink.

So, don't hesitate. Come and open the box. You'll be amazed. You'll be entertained. You'll be scared. And then you'll want to read each story over again!

Also available:
Explorer: The Lost Islands
Explorer: The Hidden Doors


Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Publisher: Abrams Fanfare
Published: 03/01/2012
Pages: 128
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 9.00h x 5.90w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9781419700095
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.4
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 149046 / Explorer: The Mystery Boxes


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 02/01/2012 pg. 188
Booklist 02/15/2012 pg. 37
Voice of Youth Advocates 04/01/2012 pg. 58 - Recommended - Better Than Most
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2012 pg. 88
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 06/01/2012
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2012 pg. 71 - Superior,Well Above Average
School Library Journal 03/01/2012

About the Author
Kazu Kibuishi is the creator of Amulet, the award-winning middle school graphic novel series, and the editor and art director of eight volumes of Flight, the influential, Eisner-nominated graphic anthology. His earlier work Daisy Kutter was named a YALSA Best Book for Young Adults. He lives in Alhambra, California.