In beautiful spreads that reveal the structure and bustle of New York City and its subway system, Lost in NYC by Nadja Spiegelman tells the story of a field trip adventure as two kids become separated from the class, and then from each other, but finally meet up in a happy ending at the top of the Empire State Building.
The story, like the subway, works on multiple levels, with informational material about the history of the city, subway, and skyscraper interwoven with the field trip and some powerful character exploration about what it’s like to be the new kid one time too many, and how a genuinely friendly classmate can at first seem like an annoyance, but ends up being a lifesaver.
The illustrations are dense and full of Easter eggs and hidden details. This is a book to shoot through quickly, and then return to read again, exploring for additional surprises. One thing that was by no means a surprise was the revelation in the creator biographies that artist Sergio García Sánchez is “one of Europe’s most celebrated experimental cartoonists.” The range of spreads in this book ably showcase his immense talent, and Spiegelman’s script gives him a lot to work with.
If you like comic books, school stories, or New York City, check this out from the library and spend an afternoon enjoying it.
The story, like the subway, works on multiple levels, with informational material about the history of the city, subway, and skyscraper interwoven with the field trip and some powerful character exploration about what it’s like to be the new kid one time too many, and how a genuinely friendly classmate can at first seem like an annoyance, but ends up being a lifesaver.
The illustrations are dense and full of Easter eggs and hidden details. This is a book to shoot through quickly, and then return to read again, exploring for additional surprises. One thing that was by no means a surprise was the revelation in the creator biographies that artist Sergio García Sánchez is “one of Europe’s most celebrated experimental cartoonists.” The range of spreads in this book ably showcase his immense talent, and Spiegelman’s script gives him a lot to work with.
If you like comic books, school stories, or New York City, check this out from the library and spend an afternoon enjoying it.
Reviewed by Mattathias
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