ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypose by Stephanie Cooke is a graphic novel about life for four youngsters in the supernatural town of North Haven. It’s fall break so no school. And they have a problem to solve, the question is… can they solve it before Chaos destroys all they know?
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The facts about ParaNorthern
Mari Costa put together the artwork for ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-Hop-Calypse, her artwork fit the narrative written by Stephanie Cooke. The story is about supernatural youth living in North Haven where a portal to a not so good world has opened. Four youth need to figure out how to close the portal. Can they do so while remaining friends and can they develop new skills and abilities while doing so.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are the publishers, and I am reviewing on behalf of Raincoast Books. My advanced reader’s copy is a trade paperback and it comes in kindle, hardcover and paperback versions. Running at 240 pages, this fictional work is geared for 8-12 year olds.
Since I received an ARC copy the version I received was done in grayscale. One page of colour was provided to show what the pages will look like in full colour. Look at all those reds and purples, fits the theme of the book so well doesn’t it?
You’ll find well-developed characters throughout. A close-knit family with a hard-working mom, a big sister (Abby) who helps her mom and keeps a close watch on her younger sister. Friends, who can be downright annoying, also provide light-hearted humour that show depth to their character.
Small heads up, I”m not entirely but there might be a girl-girl budding relationship, but they just might be good friends. It’s difficult to tell since I didn’t read the whole story.
Should you get ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-Hop-Calypse
I don’t know. This is indeed a mixed review for ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-Hop-Calypse.
I want to say no. Because I don’t do magic and witchcraft well, and doing seance to call the dead doesn’t sit well as it can be bad to do these things. I am particularly alert to this in books for youth under the age of 14.
But at the same time… not everyone believes as I do. Not everyone has the same sensibilities that I have. There were parts that were funny! I laughed aloud more than once. I loved the theme of friends learning to understand each other better. Of those same friends sticking together and helping each other. Absolute enjoyment with how family deliberately stuck together.
BUT! I didn’t read the whole book. I skipped a good 1/3 of the book since I don’t engage in what I consider evil as much as I can.
The ending was good, the beginning was good, the middle left me feeling out of sorts. So in the end, it all depends on your own personal sensibilities. I think most middle schoolers would enjoy it as the parts I read were enjoyable and made sense.
I would not wish to recommend it to faith-based readers because really… we don’t need to delve into such matters.
Sounds like one to avoid. Trusting your gut on things like this is important and if it left you off kilter, it should leave others alert also.
yeah, not quite the book most I know would want to read.