The Big Break
by Mark Tatulli
Graphic Novel
Realistic Fiction
* * * Stars (Pretty good)
Best friends and middle schoolers, Andrew and Russ are in the process of filming a documentary about a local cryptid – the Jersey Devil – which they plan on entering in a contest. They’re trying to figure out how it should end and add some special effects when Russ gets distracted by a new friendship. With a girl – Tara Wallbuck. Andrew feels especially left out (maybe even jealous?), but every time he tries to talk about it with Russ they end up fighting. Soon they aren’t even talking to each other. But when new sightings of the Jersey Devil are reported, they put their differences on hold to investigate (along with their friends and librarian, chaperone, and fellow Jersey Devil enthusiast Miss Robbins) and discover the truth. Will they find the Jersey Devil and repair their friendship?
A fun story about filmmaking, cryptids, friendship, and growing up.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
