Title: Lumberjanes Vol. 1: Beware The Kitten Holy

Written by: Noelle Stevenson & Grace Ellis

Illustrated by: Brooke Allen

Publisher: Boom! Box

Genre: YA Fantasy Sequential Graphic Novel

Date of Publication: April 2015

Page Count: 128

ISBN: 9781608866878

“FRIENDSHIP TO THE MAX!

At Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s camp for hard-core lady-types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes. Secret caves. Anagrams. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together… And they’re not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here.

Collects Lumberjanes No. 1-4.”

Written in the form of a handbook with beautiful comic art, Beware The Kitten Holy is a funny adventure with diversity and a great message of female empowerment.

“The Lumberjanes Pledge

I solemly swear to do my best
Every day, and in all that I do,
To be brave and strong,
To be truthful and compassionate,
To be interesting and interested,
To pay attention and question
The world around me,
To think of others first,
To always help and protect my friends,
And to make the world a better place
For Lumberjane scouts
And for everyone else.”

Issue One Calgary Expo Exclusive By Megan Hutchison

Mal, Molly, April, Ripley, and Jo are given a cryptic message about the Kitten Holy after being attacked by a pack of three-eyed foxes while attempting to get their Up All Night Badge.

“A Lumberjane knows about the experience and possible truths that can be found when the rest of the world is asleep.”

Rosie, the Camp Director, is a super strong, confident, and chill. “Now, I’m not gonna lie to you girls, you’re gonna see some stuff this summer. Stuff you might not understand. It’ll be hard. But you’re scouts, and you’re made of tougher stuff. So remember that pledge you took, and stick together no matter what.”

Their Cabin Leader Jenny is high-strung, frantically trying to keep the girls out of trouble and follow the rules. The chemistry between Molly and Mal is palpable, and Ripley’s impulsiveness is great comic relief.

I didn’t see the Scouting Lads twist coming! It left me wanting to read the next volume, Lumberjanes Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max.