Children's Graphic Novel Review: THE MISADVENTURES OF SALEM HYDE by Frank Cammuso

THE MISADVENTURES OF SALEM HYDE: SPELLING TROUBLE by Frank Cammuso. (Amulet Books, October 2013) Paperback, 96 pages.  ISBN # 141970804X / 9781419708046  

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

   Salem Hyde just isn’t like other kids. For one thing, she’s stubborn, independent, and impulsive. For another, she’s a witch. Salem acts first and thinks later—which means most of her thinking involves coming up with excuses!

Good thing she’s been assigned an animal companion, Lord Percival J. Whamsford III. This over-anxious cat doesn’t like Salem calling him “Whammy,” and Salem doesn’t like listening to his long-winded explanations as to why she shouldn’t do something . . . like enter the class spelling bee.

Salem knows she can beat all her classmates at spells, no problem. Too late, she realizes the competition is about spelling words, not magic. And there’s nothing like a misspelled spell to cause all kinds of havoc!  

Praise for The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Book One 

STARRED REVIEWS

"A fledgling witch receives necessary guidance from a talking cat in this utterly adorable page-turner… A delightful buddy story and an auspicious series opener; be sure to make room on shelves for Salem and Whammy."

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"It’s just about the perfect story for comics-loving fathers to read with their comics-loving daughters."

—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Cammuso evokes both the sarcastic spunk and gentle warmth of Calvin and Hobbes in this humorous tale of unlikely pals."

—The Bulletin of The Center for Children's Books

"Young readers will eat up Cammuso’s (Otto’s Orange Day, 2008) action-packed panels, full of cartoonish antics, silly puns, and playful slapstick humor."

—Booklist

"The humor, appealing artwork, and underlying message of friendship will attract readers."

—Library Media Connection    

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . . . 

     The perfect book to share with new young readers, to be read to them, to have them read to you, or to enjoy all by themselves. 

    I wanted to find something to gift my six-year old grandson (an avid reader) when he visits next week, just in case rain or weather keeps us confined indoors. I always read the books first just to be sure it's appropriate and to determine if he can understand it thoroughly. 

    I found myself laughing several times. Cammuso's writing is whimsical, clever, inventive and full of cute puns and humor. 

     A nice discovery.