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Book Cover for: Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy: A Graphic Novel, Jonathan Hill

Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy: A Graphic Novel

Jonathan Hill

Drawing on the experiences of his Vietnamese American family and his love of '80s sci-fi shows, Jonathan Hill crafts a funny, insightful graphic novel about the immigrant experience and the perils of middle school.

Threatened with diminishing resources, Booger Lizk't and his family flee their lizard community deep below Earth's crust to survive above among humans. The Lizk't family of Elberon now passes as the Tomkins family of Eagle Valley. "Tommy Tomkins" wears a human face to school but can't seem to fit in no matter how he looks. The basketball team becomes a pipe dream when bullies label him a bug eater, and only Dung Tran, an immigrant from Vietnam and fellow outsider, sees Tommy for who he is inside, which is nothing like the outer-space lizard invaders on TV's hottest series. Can their friendship survive the truth? In his first solo middle-grade book, award-winning creator Jonathan Hill perfectly captures the sometimes dystopian drama of middle school while reminding readers of the universal need for belonging.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Walker Books Us
  • Publish Date: Sep 27th, 2022
  • Pages: 288
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.50in - 6.07in - 0.70in - 1.11lb
  • EAN: 9781536216509
  • Recommended age: 08-12
  • Categories: Comics & Graphic Novels - HumorousSocial Themes - Emigration, Immigration & RefugeesHumorous Stories

About the Author

Jonathan Hill is the creator of Odessa and the cocreator of Americus and Science Comics: Wild Weather: Storms, Meteorology, and Climate. An Ignatz Award-nominated graphic novelist, illustrator, and educator, he lives in Portland, Oregon.

More books by Jonathan Hill

Book Cover for: Lizard Boy 2: The Most Perfect Summer Ever, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Dad and Daughter Forever Bond: stocking stuffers, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad: Celebrating Father's Day With a Special Picture Book Gifts For Dad, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Fathers Day Gifts From Daughter: Dad and Daughter Forever Bond, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad: Celebrating Christmas Day With a Special Picture Book For, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: The History of Christian Thought, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Father and Son Connection: Fathers Day Gifts, Why a Son Needs a Dad Celebrate Your Father and Son Bond this Father's Day with this Heartwarming Pictur, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Fathers Day Gifts: Dad You Are Pandastic: A Heartfelt Picture and Animal pun book to Celebrate Fathers on Father's Day, Anniversary, Birthdays, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Farting Panda Pappa: Fathers Day Gifts for Dad: A Hilarious and Stress Relieving Picture Book For Kids To Celebrate Father's Day and For Every Special, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Father and Son Connection: Why a Son Needs a Dad Celebrate Your Father and Son Bond this Father's Day with this Heartwarming Picture Book!, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: We Need Teachers: Teachers Appreciation Gifts Celebrate Your Tutor, Coach, Mentor with this Heartfelt Picture Book!, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Clarkson & Hill's Conflict of Laws, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Young Catholic America: Emerging Adults In, Out Of, and Gone from the Church, Christian Smith
Book Cover for: Oxford Handbook of Cardiology, Punit Ramrakha
Book Cover for: The Architecture of Ruins: Designs on the Past, Present and Future, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: The Lost Basics of Parenting, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Amigurumi Kawaii Animal Crochet: Craft Your Own Cuddly Creatures, Jonathan Hill
Book Cover for: Zen Elephant: The Art of Gratitude: Thanksgiving Basket Gifts: Kid's Mindfulness Book for Ages 2-4, Jonathan Hill

Praise for this book

This funny, entertaining graphic novel centers friendship and self-discovery as it skillfully balances comedy with serious topics like identity and belonging. Informed by his Vietnamese relatives' immigrant experiences and his own childhood, Hill writes with thoughtful insight. . . . Engaging and thought-provoking.
--Kirkus Reviews

Employing a bright and energetic palette, uncomplicated paneling, and a cast comprising varying skin tones and body types, Hill keenly portrays the effects this othering has on Tommy and Dung, and how connection, mutual support, and earnest understanding can bridge even significant differences.
--Publishers Weekly

Though it's a true all ages book, students in grades five through eight will find the most to love here, with relatable characters and conflict. Quirky but grounded illustrations that feature colors by Nyssa Oru complete the storytelling package. . . . A touching story for anyone who has ever been an outsider, this book is an empowering tale of being comfortable in your own skin, seeking out those with whom you can bond, and learning how to navigate this bizarre and confusing society in which we live.
--School Library Journal

This clever and subtly deep graphic novel explores immigrant identity via lizard beings in a respectful and thoughtful way. . . offering readers a chance to view outsider status through the lens of something that challenges all ideas of casual tolerance. . . .Vivid colors, wry humor, and playful ignoring of traditional panel structure lighten the heaviest moments, firmly focusing this story on working toward better things.
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A captivating graphic novel about identity with suspense, humor, twists and turns, and plenty of heart. I absolutely loved this book.
--Aron Nels Steinke, Eisner Award-winning author of the Mr. Wolf's Class series

This book will make you squirm and warm your heart. Beautiful art and a compelling story of self-acceptance.
--Nidhi Chanani, author of Pashmina

Starting at a new school is hard--especially if your last school was located in Earth's core! This is a gripping and ultimately very moving story about a boy seeking to gain acceptance for who he is when blending in is no longer an option. It's also a story with great lashings of drama, mystery, adventure, and just a pinch of X-Files weirdness. I loved it.
--Ross MacDonald, author of Henry's Hand