Poptropica: Mystery of the Map by Jack Chabert (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Poptropica: Mystery of the Map by Jack Chabert April Spisak Chabert, Jack Poptropica: Mystery of the Map; illus. by Kory Merritt. Amulet/ Abrams, 2016 [112p] ISBN 978-1-4197-2067-3 $12.95 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 3-5 Fans of Poptropica, an online role-playing game intended for kids (and which numbers Jeff Kinney, of Wimpy Kid fame, among its creators) will find much to enjoy in this graphic novel from that world. After a rogue hot-air balloon captain strands them on a desert island, Mya, Oliver, and Jorge stumble onto the captain’s lost magic map, which follows their commands. The captain who tossed the kids over the side wants it back, Erik the Red (yes, the Viking) is hunting them, and they’re pretty sure they’re doomed to remain on the island forever. Luckily, the trio are determined, and this first volume in an intended series ends on a hopeful note. Fans of the game will recognize the pop-eyed humans, the vibrant islands, and the quest-focused storylines, but even readers who have never heard Poptropica will [End Page 348] get the fun right away. There’s not a lot of variation among the characters, either visually (given the simple bodies and universal giant-eyed heads) or in their personalities, but there is a staggering amount of action to compensate. Both game buffs and newbies will likely find this the perfect amount of exposition and action, and they’ll cheerfully await the next big adventure for this clever, unruly trio who face nose-picking Vikings and imminent peril with equal looks of dismay. The finished book will be printed in full color. Copyright © 2016 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois