The Big Break

by Mark Tatulli

Overview

A full-color graphic novel about growing up, growing apart, and monster hunting, perfect for fans of Real Friends and All's Faire in Middle School.


Andrew and Russ are best friends obsessed with finding the legendary Jersey Devil that supposedly lives in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, right in their own backyards. They're even making a movie about their desperate search for any sign of the mythical creature. But when Russ starts spending less time on their movie, and more time with artsy, first-chair violinist Tara, Andrew feels the cracks in their friendship begin to form.


Suddenly, all of Andrew's favorite things are too babyish for Russ, and Andrew is left trying to figure out where he belongs without his best friend by his side. Then a rash of Jersey Devil sightings excite their small town, and the boys are thrown back together on a fevered hunt. Can Andrew and Russ put aside their differences for one last chance to find the monster of their dreams, or will the break in their friendship be too big to mend?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316440554
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	03/31/2020
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	1,010,304
Product dimensions:	5.65(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Mark Tatulli is the creator of the syndicated comic strip Lio, the graphic novel memoir Short & Skinny, and he has worked as an animator and television producer, for which he has won three Emmy awards. He has also written the Desmond Pucket series of middle grade novels. He lives in Washington Township, New Jersey.

Editorial Reviews

01/01/2020

Gr 3–7—A good friend is hard to find, but true friendship stands the test of time, according to Tatulli. The author of the memoir Short & Skinny this time turns to fiction but still demonstrates the same intuitive understanding of children's angst and insecurities. As part of a video contest, longtime best friends Andrew and Russ are documenting their search for the legendary Jersey Devil. Andrew loves hanging out with his friends, daydreaming, drawing, and being his mom's little boy. Russ, however, is ready to move on and grow up, and, to Andrew's horror, he begins dating artsy, first-chair violinist Tara, which drives a wedge between them. But with the help of their other friends Ray, Dante, and Lexa and librarian Miss Robbins, Andrew and Russ learn what real friendship is all about as they all embark on a daring journey to finish their movie. Tatulli conveys the drama of friendship perfectly. His loose, buoyant cartoons and his humorous text make heavy topics easier to digest. Dialogue is spot-on; characters' use of slang will appeal to readers. VERDICT With this reassuring graphic novel, Tatulli offers a lifeline to middle schoolers dealing with the trials and tribulations of friendships. His lessons—a newcomer doesn't always spell disaster for a friendship, and it's OK to branch out and make new friends—will resonate strongly with middle grade readers.—Beronica Puhr, Oak Park Public Library, IL

School Library Journal

02/10/2020

Inspired by cryptozoology, two best friends plot a horror movie about the legendary Jersey Devil. “OK, wait—not the Jersey Devil like the best hockey team,” they clarify, as the NHL mascot known as the NJ Devil strikes a pose. “He’s kind of like our very own Bigfoot.” Middle schoolers Andrew and Russ hope to win a video contest, but their scheme is tested by Russ’s romance with Tara, a cool kid who shows up to help with the script. “She’s a bigger dork than you!” Russ boasts, praising Tara’s knowledge of monster art. At the library, within earshot of their social circle, Andrew and Russ argue loudly and storm apart. “You broke up with Russ,” a girl sadly confirms to a moping Andrew. In his signature art style, Tatulli (Short & Skinny) focuses on the strained relationship—Russ is changing, and Andrew isn’t ready—but additional subplots further enliven this deftly braided graphic novel. Readers learn the reasons for Andrew’s jealousy and regret, and meet a nuanced cast, an adventurous librarian, and dueling fantasy characters from Andrew’s notebook sketches, all capped off with a quirky, strangely sweet resolution. Tatulli’s likable characters deserve a sequel, with or without mythical creatures. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Short & Skinny:


"Tatulli compellingly depicts how an object of culture can galvanize genuine emotions. A natural choice for fans of Raina Telgemeier or Jeffrey Brown's Jedi Academy series."—Booklist

"Tatulli's story shares a positive message about dedication and overcoming obstacles through imagination and creativity. A story with easy appeal for fans of coming-of-age adventures and Star Wars."—Kirkus Reviews

"Set in the 1970s, this account of comic strip artist Tatulli's awkward youth will resonate with readers.... The clean, straightforward drawings and smooth flow of the panels make this a strong choice."—School Library Journal

"We get to see the struggles of a typical middle school student and how he works for his achievements and success despite the odds...[it] would appeal to fans of Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid."—School Library Connection

"Mark's winning resilience contributes to making his embarrassing misadventures goofy yet relatable. The dynamic, cartoonish panels...show authentic emotions."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2020-02-26
Will a girl break up a long-standing friendship?

In this middle-grade graphic offering, Andrew Fineman and Russ Kahng are best friends who happily work on their movie and investigate the local lore of the Jersey Devil. Suddenly their twosome seems in jeopardy when Russ begins dating blue-haired violinist Tara Wallbuck and spending less time with Andrew. Clearly angry and resentful of Tara’s infiltration of their friendship, Andrew’s disdain is visibly growing. Before long, Russ has ditched Andrew to make his own Jersey Devil movie with Tara. When Miss Robbins, the local librarian and resident Jersey Devil expert, offers to take the group camping to substantiate rumored sightings, the boys’ festering animosity comes to an explosive head. A dash of magical realism bonds the group, ending this on a lighter, hopeful note. Tatulli’s engaging artwork fixes its lens squarely on the characters, colorists Caravan Studios many times opting for nondescript pastel backdrops for greater focus on facial expressions. Middle-grade fare about navigating changing friendships is nothing new, and while this covers well-trod ground, it is refreshing to see it explore both the perspectives and feelings of boys with a good balance of humor and pathos. The cast encompasses a range of skin tones but does not specify particulars; main character Andrew presents white, Russ has Asian features and olive skin, Tara has light-brown skin, and Miss Robbins presents black.

A fun, smart choice examining middle-grade male friendships. (Graphic fiction. 8-11)

Kirkus Reviews