Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute, charming tale of friendship for middle grade.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BLUE STARS: MISSION ONE: THE VICE PRINCIPAL PROBLEM, two cousins find themselves living together at the beginning of 6th grade with their activist grandmother. They also find their school under strict control of a mean vice principal who wishes to destroy all the arts programs so he can use the money for more detention rooms. How will they convince others that he means no good?
Is It Any Good?
This cute and charming story of friendship is a straightforward and easy read. In Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem, two cousins have difficulty at first getting along, which helps show kids that not all friendships start happily. Sometimes people have to work through problems and differences before they can get to know, and like, each other. When Riley and Maya do come together to forge a strong bond, the story jumps off into their mission proper, which readers will surely root for. With an intimidating but not too scary villain to take down, this graphic novel provides a fun ramp up to the big moment when the girls' operation culminates in an action sequence that reads like a heist of sorts. With the right touch of encouragement to social action and lively art by debut illustrator Molly Murakami, readers will get through this with happy ease and be eager for the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about villains in middle grade graphic novels. How scary was the vice principal in Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem? Do you like books with villains? why or why not?
How do Riley and Maya show courage, perseverance, and teamwork? How do these character strengths help them in their quest to stop their vice principal?
What was the cleverest thing Riley and Maya did to thwart the vice principal?
If you have a mean teacher at school, what can you do about it?
Were you happy with how the story ended? What do you think is next for the cousins?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Molly Murakami
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Candlewick
- Publication date : March 5, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 176
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 3, 2026
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