Overview

""This speculative, character-focused graphic novel highlights aspects of Jewish identity and culture through multiple lenses to craft a goofy yet nuanced read.""-Publisher's Weekly A fun-packed graphic novel with Hanukkah-themed, science fiction adventure. Naomi and her best friend Ben love playing with the cool inventions Naomi's scientist mother always works on, like the holographic simulation room where they can fight dinosaurs. One day, using special finger-print copying gloves, she and Ben break into her mom's top-secret lab (otherwise known as the garage) to see what other cool stuff they might find. There they find a device called the Transfogram, an experimental machine that transforms you into whatever you're thinking about at the moment. While eating potato pancakes, Ben reaches for the button to see what it does-- and next thing he knows, he's transformed into a life-size walking, talking potato pancake! While Naomi's mom finally concocts an antidote, Ben discovers that he enjoys being the center of attention at school, and he delays changing back to a human. But the clock is running out and if he doesn't take the antidote soon, he'll remain a potato pancake forever. To make matters worse, there's a mysterious figure watching Ben's every move. It's an alien, called a Dreideltopian, who collects Hanukkah-themed objects from around the galaxy for his museum, and now he wants to collect Ben!

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9781681156569

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Young inventor Naomi Hirsch and her best friend Ben Sherman love playing with her scientist mother’s inventions, like the hologram simulation program. But when they break into Professor Hirsch’s lab after being banned, they find something even more powerful: the Transfogram, “an experimental machine” that accidentally turns Ben into a human-sized latke. Naomi’s mother endeavors to develop an antidote before Ben’s transformation becomes permanent at sundown on the first night of Hanukkah, but Ben’s sudden boost in popularity among his classmates makes him reluctant to be human again. Kaplan (96 Facts About Bad Bunny) maintains gravitas amid silly circumstances by utilizing emotional dialogue centered on character relationships and growth. Singaporean illustrator Xu’s brightly colored art showcases facial expressions that emphasize the struggle between knowing what’s right and letting go of something that makes one feel special. This speculative, character-focused graphic novel highlights aspects of Jewish identity and culture through multiple lenses to craft a goofy yet nuanced read. Naomi and (human) Ben have tan skin. Back matter includes an art activity. Ages 7–9. (Oct.) —Publisher's Weekly

Author Information

Arie Kaplan has written numerous books and graphic novels for young readers, including Frankie and the Dragon, Batman: Harley at Bat, The Jurassic Park Little Golden Book, The New Kid from Planet Gorf, and Speed Racer: Chronicles of the Racer. Arie is also the author of the award-winning nonfiction title From Krakow to Krypton: Jews and Comic Books. When he’s not working on his latest book, comic book story, or graphic novel, Arie is a screenwriter for television, video games, and transmedia. He currently lives in Queens, New York. Beilin Xu is an illustrator hailing from the tropical city of Singapore. Armed with a degree in Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, she draws inspiration from diverse sources, from the works of Greg Tocchini to the Detective Conan manga series. Whether wielding a tablet pen or a crochet hook, Beilin infuses passion and playfulness into every creation.

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