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Cosmic Cadets #1
Contact!
Our parents can't stop a galactic war... but maybe we can? Strap in for a colorful and action-packed space adventure about friendship, family, and fear of the unknown!
Humanity has gone to the stars, and the ESS Khonsu and its crew are leading the charge to explore the galaxy. As the son of the ship's captain, Jimmil might not always live up to his mom's expectations... but right now he and his friends might be the galaxy's only hope.
After they're stranded on a strange alien planet, they'll have to do what their parents couldn't: explore the surface, discover the secrets of the terrifying race that lives there, and try to prevent a full-scale war!
Working together, these Cadets will discover that sometimes being a hero means learning to see new perspectives, and sometimes bravery means admitting when you're wrong.
In their debut graphic novel, Ben Crane and Mimi Alves serve up a heartfelt, thrilling, and vividly colorful and escapade about kids taking the lead, for middle-grade readers who are ready to seek out new life of their own!
Humanity has gone to the stars, and the ESS Khonsu and its crew are leading the charge to explore the galaxy. As the son of the ship's captain, Jimmil might not always live up to his mom's expectations... but right now he and his friends might be the galaxy's only hope.
After they're stranded on a strange alien planet, they'll have to do what their parents couldn't: explore the surface, discover the secrets of the terrifying race that lives there, and try to prevent a full-scale war!
Working together, these Cadets will discover that sometimes being a hero means learning to see new perspectives, and sometimes bravery means admitting when you're wrong.
In their debut graphic novel, Ben Crane and Mimi Alves serve up a heartfelt, thrilling, and vividly colorful and escapade about kids taking the lead, for middle-grade readers who are ready to seek out new life of their own!
160 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 6, 2023
This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I really liked the design for the aliens in this comic, they look like cute rabbit-slugs. I also think that the bright colors and quick action will be appreciated by children. I appreciated the diversity of the main cast of characters, especially that the space ship captain was a woman of color.
April 11, 2023
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Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
In Cosmic Cadet's #1 Contact! teenage Jimmil is itching to get out on his own and have his own adventure. Jimmil's mom is the Captain of the ESS Khonsu and white Jammil admires his mom, he wants to experience life outside the ship. The opportunity arises when aliens attack the ESS Khonsu. While the adults panic and try to lock down the ship, Jimmil and his friends take the opportunity to investigate the surface and find out what the aliens want.
After a rocky crash landing and some bickering about a plan of action, Jimmil and his friends feel the danger and eventually come face to face with the aliens. It turns out the aliens aren’t really dangerous, they are just as curious as Jimmil and his friends. Despite the two groups bonding, Jimmil’s mom and the rest of the ESS Khonsu stage a rescue mission putting all of their progress in jeopardy.
Cosmic Cadets is a vibrant graphic novel about a group of kids branching out on their own for an adventure. The coloring of the panels by Priscilla Tramontano is beautiful, relying on pinks, purples, and yellows to set the scene on the mysterious alien planet. The characters are super diverse, in different shades of brown and yellow that make up the crew of the Khonsu and Jimmil’s friends.
Cosmic Cadets is an entertaining graphic novel that follows a group of kids on a vibrant space adventure. Along the way, they learn the importance of independence and talking things out before resorting to violence. The colorful illustrations by Mimi Alves bring Ben Crane’s story to life, capturing the excitement of space travel and adventure with no adults mucking things up. Overall, Cosmic Cadets is a fun and engaging read that teaches valuable lessons about communication and conflict resolution.
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
In Cosmic Cadet's #1 Contact! teenage Jimmil is itching to get out on his own and have his own adventure. Jimmil's mom is the Captain of the ESS Khonsu and white Jammil admires his mom, he wants to experience life outside the ship. The opportunity arises when aliens attack the ESS Khonsu. While the adults panic and try to lock down the ship, Jimmil and his friends take the opportunity to investigate the surface and find out what the aliens want.
After a rocky crash landing and some bickering about a plan of action, Jimmil and his friends feel the danger and eventually come face to face with the aliens. It turns out the aliens aren’t really dangerous, they are just as curious as Jimmil and his friends. Despite the two groups bonding, Jimmil’s mom and the rest of the ESS Khonsu stage a rescue mission putting all of their progress in jeopardy.
Cosmic Cadets is a vibrant graphic novel about a group of kids branching out on their own for an adventure. The coloring of the panels by Priscilla Tramontano is beautiful, relying on pinks, purples, and yellows to set the scene on the mysterious alien planet. The characters are super diverse, in different shades of brown and yellow that make up the crew of the Khonsu and Jimmil’s friends.
Cosmic Cadets is an entertaining graphic novel that follows a group of kids on a vibrant space adventure. Along the way, they learn the importance of independence and talking things out before resorting to violence. The colorful illustrations by Mimi Alves bring Ben Crane’s story to life, capturing the excitement of space travel and adventure with no adults mucking things up. Overall, Cosmic Cadets is a fun and engaging read that teaches valuable lessons about communication and conflict resolution.
November 17, 2023
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
more like a 3.5
You don't need to twist my arm to have me read a middle grade graphic novel set in space. And Contact! is all about empathy, conversation, and first contact. If you like the idea of aliens, of the us and them groups that are formed, and the fact that adults are often too quick to jump then you'll have to read Contact! With a group crew and no distinct main character, friendship is a central theme that naturally develops. It's a graphic novel which stresses the time to listen, to have openness, and to not let our fear control us.
more like a 3.5
You don't need to twist my arm to have me read a middle grade graphic novel set in space. And Contact! is all about empathy, conversation, and first contact. If you like the idea of aliens, of the us and them groups that are formed, and the fact that adults are often too quick to jump then you'll have to read Contact! With a group crew and no distinct main character, friendship is a central theme that naturally develops. It's a graphic novel which stresses the time to listen, to have openness, and to not let our fear control us.
April 29, 2023
This book is not only great for young readers, but it is also a tool for educators who wish to start a discussion with their students about issues of loyalty, bravery, ingenuity, vulnerability, fear, conflict, and other core human emotions and values. The convincing characters and straightforward story make that possible. The artwork is brilliant. I fully expect to see online merchandise based on the captivating illustrations and poignent, meaningful text. Kudos to the authors with strong encouragement to continue this as a series.
January 26, 2023
Top Shelf is writing comics for kids now. This is about a Star Trek type ship visiting a new planet where the aliens communicate with their feelings. This causes some misconceptions about their intentions leaving the kids of the crew members to resolve things peacefully before it all blows up. It's a decent story. It is written in a way that may cause older readers to lose interest. The art is very sloppy at times as well.
April 28, 2023
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Jimmil and his friends are determined to be the first to make contact with alien life. To do this they sneak onto the planet without their parents knowing.
Overall, the book has a theme of why it is important to listen to other people. I felt like it was a little heavy-handed on the moral lesson side.
Jimmil and his friends are determined to be the first to make contact with alien life. To do this they sneak onto the planet without their parents knowing.
Overall, the book has a theme of why it is important to listen to other people. I felt like it was a little heavy-handed on the moral lesson side.
February 7, 2023
A fun quick read that has a great message for the author's target audience. I didn't necessarily find it very engaging, and I thought there was too much going on on a single page at times, but I feel my 4th and 5th graders would enjoy it.
April 15, 2023
Cute graphic novel with the themes of friendship, understanding, communication and teamwork. Solid illustrations, although I will say that sometimes the story seemed disconnected, as if there were pieces that were missing, felt like a lot of jumping around.
July 11, 2023
The best books for children are ones that
A. Impart a good lesson
B. Entertaining for the children
C. Adults can enjoy as well
This book gets all three of those right. It is a fun read for adults and kids that teaches us a lesson that a lot of us seem to be missing these days.
A. Impart a good lesson
B. Entertaining for the children
C. Adults can enjoy as well
This book gets all three of those right. It is a fun read for adults and kids that teaches us a lesson that a lot of us seem to be missing these days.
September 2, 2023
A little heavy handed on the lessons about communication, listening, and standing up for yourself. The aliens are pretty cool, though. This feels like it's on the younger side of middle grade, and I think readers in that age range looking for a Star Trek like adventure will like it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews