M Is for Monster

May 16, 2022
Dutton’s pensive Frankenstein-inspired debut graphic novel nimbly explores grief, sisterhood, and identity. Driven by guilt following her younger sister Maura’s death, caused by the Asian-cued siblings’ latest science experiment, Doctor Frances Ai defies natural law to revive her. Frances and her cued-white spouse, Gin, stitch Maura’s body back together. Using lightning as a conduit, they work to resurrect Maura; instead, they inadvertently birth M, a blank soul with no memories of her own. Fearing what Frances will do if she realizes her failure, M turns to Maura’s disembodied spirit, which is bound to mirrors and visible only to M. As M learns about the siblings’ turbulent relationship to maintain the ruse, she undergoes her own evolution toward personhood. Thick inky lines, dynamic paneling, and monochromatic hues enlivened with teal splashes fluidly develop an eerie, mid-20th-century setting. Though Frances’s guilt is palpable, Maura’s wry wit (“Science go oops. Energy go BOOM. Maura go bye-bye”) and M’s endearing missteps skillfully balance weighty circumstances with humor, conveying a moving story about prioritizing one’s well-being, personal expression, and self-discovery. Ages 14–up. Agent: Hannah Mann, Writers House.

May 15, 2022
Grades 9-12 M Is for Monster is a story about science, sisterhood, identity, and independence wrapped up in a Frankenstein-adjacent story. Dr. Frances Ai's sister, Maura, died during an experiment the two were performing, and Frances has reanimated Maura's body. M wakes up from the procedure with no memories of Frances, Maura, or science, but Frances is determined M will be Maura, either by remembering or by being disassembled and "fixed." A terrified M leans on the ghost of Maura, visible only to M, to fake the proper interests and answers. But M hates Maura's clothes and the way she takes her tea and is fascinated by Maura's previously loathed sewing. M and Frances must cope with the guilt, fear, and loss that drive one to hide herself and the other to obsess over perfection. The expressiveness and overall look of the characters recall Sophie Campbell's work or the webcomic Namesake but wrapped in a greenish-black color scheme enhancing the world's "mad science" trappings. A touching story about forgiveness, love, and being true to oneself.

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May 15, 2022
A Frankenstein-inspired graphic novel that explores how expectations get in the way of creation. Grief-stricken and remorseful, scientist Frances "Frankie" Ai attempts to resurrect her younger sister, Maura, several months after she died in an experiment gone awry. After taking apart Maura's body, stitching her up, and jolting her with a lightning-powered contraption in their home laboratory, Frances awakens a monster. She is surprised to discover that the monster, M, has no memory of her sister's life before the accident. Though M and Gin Ivanov, Frances' nonbinary spouse, have their reservations, Frances is determined to keep trying to bring back the sister she remembers. Settling into Maura's old bedroom, the monster is startled by Maura's ghost--whom only she is able to see--emerging from a mirror and announcing that M is wearing her body. The ghost agrees to help the monster behave more like Maura in order to stop Frances from taking her apart again. In exchange, Maura's ghost can continue her research, talk to Frances, and live vicariously through M. Dutton pairs her rich storytelling and expressive characters with bold illustrations that evoke the mid-20th century and are executed in a palette of teal, black, and white. Sewn up with a powerful ending, this debut is a deftly paced, satisfying read. The Ai sisters read as Chinese; Gin appears White. Electrifying, swiftly moving, and full of life. (Graphic science fiction. 12-18)

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Starred review from September 23, 2022

Gr 7 Up-In a young teen-friendly graphic novel, Dutton provides a sweet tale of identity, family love, ambition, and grief. After the death of her sister, Maura, during a lab maneuver gone wrong, the young Frances Ai attempts to cope by reanimating her, Dr. Frankenstein-fashion. However, her creation, who ultimately chooses the name M, lacks Maura's memories, both personal and scientific, and must rely on Maura's ghost to keep her informed of Frances's expectations. Blue washes across the Edwardian-esque imagery keep readers firmly rooted in the characters' moods as Frances, M, and Maura all find a way to extract themselves from the past and move on, discovering that love can lead to acceptance in those temporarily caught in frustrated wishes. VERDICT Dutton's storytelling and art excel, making this a story with popular appeal that's also bound to inspire deeper discussions about accepting the limitations of one's personal control.-Francisca Goldsmith

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2022
With a nod to Frankenstein, this debut graphic novel delivers an intriguing take on the classic coming-of-age story. After Maura dies in a tragic scientific accident, her sister, Frances, and Frances's (nonbinary) partner, Gin, sew her back together and revive her with the electricity from a lightning strike. Maura has absolutely no recollection of her former life, but Frances is confident that her memories will come back. And if not? Well, they can always take her apart and put her back together again until it works. Shortly after Maura overhears this, she looks in the mirror and sees not her own reflection -- not her bald head or numerous sutures -- but rather the spirit of Maura, the real Maura. This Maura agrees to coach M (as the protagonist now thinks of herself) through this charade. However, the more she learns about Maura, the more M realizes that she is a completely different person and that she must ultimately confront Frances with the truth in order to discover her own identity, make her own choices, and live her own life. While the gripping storytelling largely revolves around M's internal conflict and growth, the tri-color (black, white, and shades of green) art breathes life into the vivid setting and the intriguing supporting characters. Jonathan Hunt

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2022
With a nod to Frankenstein, this debut graphic novel delivers an intriguing take on the classic coming-of-age story. After Maura dies in a tragic scientific accident, her sister, Frances, and Frances's (nonbinary) partner, Gin, sew her back together and revive her with the electricity from a lightning strike. Maura has absolutely no recollection of her former life, but Frances is confident that her memories will come back. And if not? Well, they can always take her apart and put her back together again until it works. Shortly after Maura overhears this, she looks in the mirror and sees not her own reflection -- not her bald head or numerous sutures -- but rather the spirit of Maura, the real Maura. This Maura agrees to coach M (as the protagonist now thinks of herself) through this charade. However, the more she learns about Maura, the more M realizes that she is a completely different person and that she must ultimately confront Frances with the truth in order to discover her own identity, make her own choices, and live her own life. While the gripping storytelling largely revolves around M's internal conflict and growth, the tri-color (black, white, and shades of green) art breathes life into the vivid setting and the intriguing supporting characters. Jonathan Hunt

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2022
With a nod to Frankenstein, this debut graphic novel delivers an intriguing take on the classic coming-of-age story. After Maura dies in a tragic scientific accident, her sister, Frances, and Frances's (nonbinary) partner, Gin, sew her back together and revive her with the electricity from a lightning strike. Maura has absolutely no recollection of her former life, but Frances is confident that her memories will come back. And if not? Well, they can always take her apart and put her back together again until it works. Shortly after Maura overhears this, she looks in the mirror and sees not her own reflection -- not her bald head or numerous sutures -- but rather the spirit of Maura, the real Maura. This Maura agrees to coach M (as the protagonist now thinks of herself) through this charade. However, the more she learns about Maura, the more M realizes that she is a completely different person and that she must ultimately confront Frances with the truth in order to discover her own identity, make her own choices, and live her own life. While the gripping storytelling largely revolves around M's internal conflict and growth, the tri-color (black, white, and shades of green) art breathes life into the vivid setting and the intriguing supporting characters.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)