The Moon Prince

Gr 6 Up–Mutch’s graphic novel sets out with grand ambitions, taking cues from literary giants like Mark Twain and Jules Verne to present an adventure story. Max and Molly are biracial orphans whose lives of forced labor are upended when they learn of their origin and embark on a quest to the Moon to uncover more about their mystic lineage and find purpose. Arriving at this strange new world, they encounter various fantastic characters and races, discovering a Moon wracked by turmoil, ignorance, and fear. On the Moon, they are tasked with uniting various mystical races to combat Earth invaders. While Mutch’s artwork, for which his own children and wife posed, is well illustrated and clearly a labor of love, the narrative struggles to balance its ambitious thematic goals with engaging storytelling. The aim to address prejudice and colonization often feels didactic, leaving the storyline not interesting enough to keep readers engaged. The story can feel more like a social commentary than a compelling adventure, with its themes sometimes overshadowing the characters’ individual journeys and leading to a less nuanced exploration of its complex ideas. The result is a less organic and engaging story that does not live up to the book’s grand ambition.