Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lively graphic novel offers smart-girl adventures in space.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
SANITY & TALLULAH are best friends in grade 8, living aboard a remote outpost known as Wilnick Space Station. One of the ways the two smart girls keep busy is by conducting their own science and lab experiments. Sanity's latest lab creation, an adorable but very different kitten named Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds, unfortunately escapes along with the specialized protein diet Sanity synthesized. And just when the kitten goes missing, strange things start happening aboard Wilnick. Things like power and life-support systems breaking down. Sanity and Tallulah had better find their kitten, and fast, before the whole space station blows up.
Is It Any Good?
Author and illustrator Molly Brooks' debut graphic novel is a lively, engaging, and exciting adventure that will easily win over readers who might think they don't like science fiction. Sanity and Tallulah are great role models for intelligence, creative problem solving, teamwork, and loyalty. But they're also easily relatable as kids who get into trouble over their heads and who still need the patient, firm guidance offered by their parents.
Brooks' illustrations create a lot of fluid motion, engaging background details, and lively visual interest using only two colors. They keep the eyes moving across the page while the adventurous, suspenseful plot keeps the pages turning. Sanity & Tallulah is a great choice for reluctant readers, may spark interest in space travel, and it's also a perfect choice for young readers who're unsure about science fiction. Suitable for big kids and up who can handle a couple of "damns" and "hells."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different types of characters in Sanity & Tallulah. Why is it important to have characters representing different kinds of people? What other books have you read with positive representations and role models?
What makes Sanity and Tallulah good role models? What do you like about them? What are their character flaws?
Do you like the illustrations? Do they help tell the story, or distract you from it? What are some of your favorite graphic novels?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Molly Brooks
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date : October 16, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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