Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke

This is the second in the series that started with Mighty Jack.  In this one Jack and Lilly go through a magic passage in search of Jack's sister, Maddy, who has been stolen by a plant monster.  They end up in a different world and have to fight giants and Goblins to get themselves and Maddy home. Jack is impulsive and totally focused on saving Maddy. Lilly tells him to be more cautious, and in the end it is she who suffers because of his impulsiveness. Nevertheless, working together they not only save themselves, but also make things better for many others.


This is a well drawn graphic novel with plenty of excitement and feats of heroism. Jack and Lilly have endearing flaws and the relationship between them is interesting and complicated. This book brings the story to a satisfying end, but there is a afterward that suggests we haven't seen the last of Mighty Jack. (205 p. 2017)

This is also the last book on my reading list for 2017.  Whoot!  I read all the children's fiction that got at least 3 starred reviews and all the juvenile graphic novels that got at least 1 starred review in 2017.  That ended up being 41 novels, and 31 graphic novels.  I don't plan on repeating the goal this year, but I do plan on keeping up on the latest and greatest.  I have already put on hold some of the 2018 books that have received 3 stars.  So stay tuned.  There is more to come.