Maker Girl and Professor Smarts

Gr 2-4–New Bork City is home to Chuy and Yaya, two 12-year-olds who are living in a world where a comet grants superpowers to only some of the population. The best friends miss out on personal superpowers, but Yaya can still “make anything from anything” and Chuy’s interest in “all intellectual curiosities” help them overcome second-rate villains and become the heroes their town needs. Although their heroic deeds are more average than super, what makes these two characters special is how they utilize their personal strengths of “making stuff” and “knowing stuff.” This series brings a maker’s world to life and reminds readers that curiosity and tinkering are, in themselves, powers to be used for good. The incorporation of content that reflects the crew’s many scientific and creative interests is refreshing and unique. The pages feature a diverse representation of characters throughout, including Chuy, who is Hispanic, and Yaya, who is Jewish. A standout in this first volume is the occasional break from traditional comic paneling, with the use of angular frames that stretch across the page. The jewel-toned digital artwork adds a modern flair to the superheroes and the art choices help create the impression of a scientist’s or inventor’s notebook that could be in any student’s bookbag.