Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, meanness in popular gamer's disappointing book.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In APHMAU: SEARCHING FOR HOME, new girl Aphmau throws a party to celebrate her birthday. But when Stacy gets jealous of the new girl's popularity, she decides to sabotage the party by stealing some of her dad's magic and using it to poison the cake. Things get worse when Aphmau's birthday wish goes wrong, turning the whole world into a Minecraft-inspired video game. Will Aphmau and her new friends be able to set things right before the night is over?
Is It Any Good?
Cute illustrations can't make up for a disjointed plot and mediocre characters. Aphmau: Searching for Home had some potential, but is ultimately disappointing: no real character depth, lots of snarky comments just for the sake of seeming cool, and instant connection, instead of friendships built over time, make for a light, forgettable story. Ultimately, this graphic novel feels more like a video game than a real book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why a popular YouTube content creator would choose to write books like Aphmau: Searching for Home. Do you think the book will get more people to watch her videos? Or is the book a way for fans to enjoy her content in a different way? Any other reasons you think Aphmau decided to write a book?
What do you think about the meanness and bullying in this book? Why include this kind of behavior in a book meant for kids? Do you think influencers like Aphmau have a responsibility to be good role models? Why, or why not?
The characters have crushes on one another when they just meet. Is this realistic? Why do you think the author added this detail?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Michela Cacciatore
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperPop
- Publication date : June 17, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 208
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 3, 2026
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