Dawn and the Impossible Three

Gr 3–5—Galligan translates the fifth volume in this long-running series, which focuses on a group of teens who run a babysitting business, into a graphic novel. Dawn, the newest member of the Baby-sitters Club, has just moved from California to Connecticut with her recently divorced mother and her brother and has more than enough on her plate. She's become close with her fellow club member Mary Anne, but Mary Anne's best friend, Kristy, feels threatened by the girls' bond. Plus, the club's new clients, the Barretts, are keeping Dawn busy: there are mountains of chores to do, the kids (the "Impossible Three") are still reeling after their parents' divorce, and frazzled Mrs. Barrett is too distracted to be much help. Relying on a bright palette and close-ups of the expressive, large-eyed characters, Galligan easily shifts between giggles with friends and more emotional scenes, always retaining the upbeat, earnest tone of the original. Judiciously used first-person narration, interspersed among the speech bubbles, injects a poignant touch into this light, breezy read. The winsome illustrations are reminiscent of the artwork of Raina Telgemeier, who adapted the first four installments in the series into graphic novels, but with a charm of their own. VERDICT While this title is bound to attract fans of the series, newcomers will eagerly dive right in. Recommended for readers seeking friendship tales in the vein of Telgemeier's books.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal