Basket Case

Serenity #3

by Realbuzz Studios

Serenity a mom? The thought's enough to make her crack. It's the last project she ever expected. Her health class requires each student to care for chicken eggs 24/7 to simulate the round-the-clock nurturing a real baby needs. Serenity thinks that's a tough assignment until she finds herself with much more than a baby chick to care for!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Christian Fiction, Manga, Christian, Fiction, Young Adult

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2005

Reviews

[Samantha Osborne]

i really am enjoying these there great

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library)]

While still nowhere near the best comic I've read--and, believe me, I've read tons--this keeps up the trend started in the second volume: a vast improvement over the first outing.

[Holly Letson]

Nothing that any "Egg Baby" class assignment could teach Serenity could ever have prepared her for what she needed to do, when she found a real baby in a trash can on her way home.

I thought Serenity handled the situation quite well, being the troubled teen that she is. She was definitely putting the baby's needs ahead of her own.

[Water Viper]

Great book

[Aegelis]

When Simulation Turns Actual

First half was alright, which was more about the drama of secrets and trust that many of us encounter in school. Second half was more intriguing when a classroom exercise suddenly becomes very real. Tackling a very adult issue, Serenity calls upon the only ones who would pick up the phone in a dire situation. With some positive natural instincts and good advice, Serenity Harper makes an excellent choice, resulting in saving a life.

[Toviel]

"Basket Case" is the last volume of SERENITY that I purchased, despite the fact this is the volume where that the author finally hammered out the balance between seriousness and goofiness, and most of the main characters have developed dynamic personalities worth investing in.

Like volume two, "Basket Case" takes an informative, but notably Christian, approach to a serious issue affecting young adults. In this case, it's the topic of parenthood-- or more importantly, how parenting effects a child. Over-protective, absentee, and teenage parents are all given a fair shake. Serenity's case continues to be the most interesting, as the situation with her own mother is obviously abusive. Unlike stories where the abusive family member is shown only in a terrible light, Serenity's mother does seem to genuinely understand her screw-ups, and probably needs just as much help as Serenity does to mend their relationship. As such, it feels very realistic and appropriate for the series' target audience.

The actual plot itself is pretty inconsequential, and I had no urge to continue reading the series after this point. Good characters and complex relationships can only carry a story so far.

[Mitchell]

From a characterization standpoint, pretty solid, as Serenity is forced again to grow and—most interestingly—to ask for help. I enjoyed the second half of the book.

I didn't enjoy the first half, which revolves around the main characters taking a purity test. This was a fairly clumsy plot point, in part because "purity" has an implied definition. Is the point to be sexually pure? Spiritually pure? At points, you can see parts of the test, which in turn seem to condemn any expression of sexuality and bring up irrelevant points (i.e. "read National Geographic," "hugged someone," "slept in your underwear").

I think this had the potential to be a yuckier condemnation of sexuality than it was; however, because all the discussions were based around implication, that part of the book barely said anything at all.

[Lanie]

Love the art and the story. This was probably my favorite book of the series. Recommended for fans of graphic novels and Christian fiction. The art isn't exactly manga style, even though it claims to be "Christian manga". It's still pretty though. Very brightly colored with good details. The outfits, especially Serenity's, are awesome looking.

[Christine B]

This series is so great! I love them even though I am a young adult! This book has two great plots that the characters go through, both which are interesting and exciting. Highly recommend this book.

[i have moments of nonthinkingness *miranda*]

i thought this one was great! it deals with purity and such things. Weather it is sexually or mentaly. (did i spell that right?)

[Louisse Trisha]

Mark as to read