Taco Time Machine (Max Meow Book 4) by John Gallagher. Random House Graphic, 2022. 9780593479667
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3
Format: Hardcover graphic novel
Genre: Science fiction
What did you like about the book? Max Meow, also known as the Cat Crusader, and his trusty sidekick, Mindy, are back and fighting crime in Kittyopolis. It’s just a normal day when Max and Mindy encounter Professor Microbe (Mindy’s mom) acting oddly. As they follow her home, it is apparent that she is a robot and Mindy’s father is missing. Max and Mindy discover that Mindy’s father has built a time machine; old and new villains are appearing on the scene and add to the confusion. Can they use the machine, save Mindy’s parents, and defeat the Time Turtle? Clip Studio and Photoshop are used to colorfully illustrate the antics of our protagonists. Short speech bubbles and bright colors create a high energy backdrop that will engage struggling readers. Backmatter consists of illustration tips, the name of the next book, and a little about the author.
Anything you didn’t like about it? Characters are two dimensional and I found the dialog a bit hokey. The plot and ending are easily guessed. But for struggling readers, this could be a positive.
To whom would you recommend this book? Readers, in grades 2 to 5, who enjoy nutty graphic novels such as Dogman will like this title.
Who should buy this book? This would be a good purchase for elementary schools or public libraries that cannot have enough humorous graphic novels or where kids have enjoyed the previous books in this series.
Where would you shelve it? Graphic novels
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? I feel that this title would reside near the middle of the “to read” pile.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Elena Schuck, Nathaniel H. Wixon School Library, Dennis, Massachusetts
Date of review: November 20, 2022
Youth Services Book Review 
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