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Hilda and the Troll, by Luke Pearson, 2013, London: Flying Eye Books. 40 pages. ISBN: 978-1909263147.
Series: Hilda
Age/Interest Level: 6-13 years
Lexile Level: GN250L
Awards: N/A
Reader Annotation: Hilda is an adventurer that wants to see the world. As she looks to find what magical creatures live in the mountains, she comes across a troll and much more.
Plot Summary: Hilda is an adventurous girl with a need to explore the world around her. One day, she sets off on a journey to explore the mountains which surround her home. She comes across a troll who she sits and sketches for a while before falling asleep. When she wakes up, the troll is gone and a snowstorm has caused Hilda to lose track of where she is. As she journeys back home, she discovers even more creatures of wonder, including a giant and a wooden man.
Critical Evaluation: This work presents a girl who wants to go on a quest, not because she has to, but because she wants to. She has an absolute sense of adventure and wants to see everything there is. She exudes energy and a very appealing can-do attitude while maintaining the sense of being a dreamer. These are fabulous qualities for any strong character, and they are aided by the author/illustrator, Luke Pearson, who paints her in a deeply vivid, yet fantastical, setting. Though trolls and other creatures are out of the norm for readers, they appear right at home in this colorful setting which hints at a Scandinavian influence.
Why Included: Hilda is a strong female character, and a necessary addition to the graphic novel lexicon. Her attitude appeals to what it means to be a kid, developing a sense of discovery and exploring because you want to, not because you have to.
Series: Hilda
Age/Interest Level: 6-13 years
Lexile Level: GN250L
Awards: N/A
Reader Annotation: Hilda is an adventurer that wants to see the world. As she looks to find what magical creatures live in the mountains, she comes across a troll and much more.
Plot Summary: Hilda is an adventurous girl with a need to explore the world around her. One day, she sets off on a journey to explore the mountains which surround her home. She comes across a troll who she sits and sketches for a while before falling asleep. When she wakes up, the troll is gone and a snowstorm has caused Hilda to lose track of where she is. As she journeys back home, she discovers even more creatures of wonder, including a giant and a wooden man.
Critical Evaluation: This work presents a girl who wants to go on a quest, not because she has to, but because she wants to. She has an absolute sense of adventure and wants to see everything there is. She exudes energy and a very appealing can-do attitude while maintaining the sense of being a dreamer. These are fabulous qualities for any strong character, and they are aided by the author/illustrator, Luke Pearson, who paints her in a deeply vivid, yet fantastical, setting. Though trolls and other creatures are out of the norm for readers, they appear right at home in this colorful setting which hints at a Scandinavian influence.
Why Included: Hilda is a strong female character, and a necessary addition to the graphic novel lexicon. Her attitude appeals to what it means to be a kid, developing a sense of discovery and exploring because you want to, not because you have to.