Title: Saving Montgomery Sole
Author: Mariko Tamaki
Genres: contemporary
Pages: 240
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Review copy: Library
Availability: April 19th, 2016
Summary: Montgomery Sole is a square peg in a small town, forced to go to a school full of jocks and girls who don’t even know what irony is. It would all be impossible if it weren’t for her best friends, Thomas and Naoki. The three are also the only members of Jefferson High’s Mystery Club, dedicated to exploring the weird and unexplained, from ESP and astrology to super powers and mysterious objects.
Then there’s the Eye of Know, the possibly powerful crystal amulet Monty bought online. Will it help her predict the future or fight back against the ignorant jerks who make fun of Thomas for being gay or Monty for having two moms? Maybe the Eye is here just in time, because the newest resident of their small town is scarier than mothmen, poltergeists, or, you know, gym. [Image and summary via Goodreads]
Review: When I heard that Mariko Tamaki had a YA book coming out, I ordered it as soon as I could — I’m in love with all the comics by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki (Skim, This One Summer, SuperMutant Magic Academy), so I was really looking forward to this one. Not to mention, the cover is a gorgeous work of art, so I was happy to get ahold of it.
In Saving Montgomery Sole, Montgomery is the co-founder of the three person Mystery Club of Jefferson High. Montgomery, her theater enthusiast friend Thomas, and the ever positive Naoki Wood investigate the paranormal, strange, and utterly mysterious — phenomena like ESP and so on. At the same time, Montgomery struggles with the strain of homophobia in her school directed at her, because of her two Lesbian moms, and her friend Thomas.
Montgomery Sole, true to the title, is incredibly central to the story. She narrates it,of course, and you see everything through her lens. That includes views (such as judging certain groups harshly) that are skewed and wrong, while also providing emotional strength and depth to the things Montgomery is going through.
Like the Tamakis’ other comics, this book had a similar tone, which I am a great fan of but may not be other people’s cup of tea. It’s poetic, quirky, and funny, while also managing to be thoughtful and occasionally melancholy.
Saving Montgomery Sole is definitely worth a read. If you’re looking for something to occupy a few hours of your time, this is it!
Recommendation: Buy it now!
This looks really cool. I have seen previews of 2 graphic novels by Mariko Tamaki.
(the one w/ super hero mutants. And the summer camp one.)
We dont have this book at library yet. But I will recommend they get a copy at the next meeting. (there is a fall meeting in Oct.
sadly I can’t make the summer metting in late May.)
Thank you for reviewing this GN!
~Elizaber