Guest Review by Matt Lowder: ANOTHER KIND graphic novel

Spotlight review of a young adult (YA) original graphic novel (OGN) by Matt Lowder

ANOTHER KIND by Cait May and Trevor Bream (Harper Alley, May 2021) Hardcover, 288 pages Matt's Rating: FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS

One of the loveliest graphic novels I've ever read. ANOTHER KIND is a one of a kind inclusive sci-fi/fantasy drama!

It completely sucked me into this little cryptid found family. A yeti, will of the wisp, selkie, reptilian, werebear, and eldrich offspring escape from a government facility for irregularities. They're ages 6-16, and some have been placed there willingly, others forced by their parents. Some taken there under false pretenses. Some want to empower their natural selves, others hate their "otherness." Some adults want to use them, others want them to suppress themselves or change. But they love and support and protect each other like siblings. You see where this is going. These folk-myth-mutant-non-binaries don't know who to trust and go on the run in search for a home to call their own.

Everything about this was great. I was fully invested early on, and really adored the pacing and relationships. This is a book ANYONE can read, like the X-Men or Stranger Things story in a way, but if you choose to look deeper and read through an LGBTQ+ lens, this is really strong and clearly allegorical. You can tell the artist and author -- as they mention in the back of the book -- are authentically writing what they know. Colors and art are excellent compared to other middle grade graphic novels.

I was so invested in their journey, completely on the edge of my seat the entire time. It's funny, heartfelt, joyous. I loved the story telling of it, the cross-country journey, the meeting of other irregulars, the way it was able to individually dive into each of the kid's backstories while not detracting from the overarching story. I also just adored the non-binary representation, which didn't have to be romantic. Some people I think wrongly assume "gay" books are always two same sex people desiring each other. The publishing landscape is moving way past that, and ANOTHER KIND is way, way more and very satisfying.

It's important to have that kind of representation available. Its nuanced and fun here, and also powerful. This book is actually incredibly humanistic and universal. Everything about this book captured my heart. It's just a damned good sci-fi fantasy drama book, that happens to also be queer. Grades 6-9.