Serafina and the Black Cloak: The Graphic Novel (Serafina)

by Robert Beatty (Author)

Serafina and the Black Cloak: The Graphic Novel (Serafina)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Serafina

Robert Beatty's best-selling gothic fantasy about an unforgettable heroine is now a mesmerizing graphic novel with rich, atmospheric illustrations.

"The story drips with suspense, wrapping readers into the narrative just as easily as the man in the black cloak binds his young victims." --School Library Journal

"Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul." Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate.

There's plenty to explore in her grand home, although she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate's maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore's corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore's owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak's true identity...before all of the children vanish one by one.

Readers who enjoy history and mystery and like their thrills and chills in visual form will delight in this graphic novel adaptation of a bestseller. Read the entire New York Times Best-selling series! 

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Kirkus Reviews

 A graphic-novel adaptation that could afford to lean more on its graphics.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--In this coming-of-age story steeped in history and sprinkled with fantasy, adapted from the novel, readers get a chance to visually enjoy brave Serafina's world. Serafina, the Chief Rat Catcher of the Biltmore Estate, lives with Pa, hidden in the shadows of the estate's basement--until one day, Sera witnesses a sinister abduction at the hands of the man in the black cloak. Serafina is determined to put her rat-catching skills to use to find the unfortunate young girl and the other children who have also gone missing. Along the way, she befriends the young master of the house and discovers who she really is after years of feeling lost and alone. Bold, vibrant illustrations succeed in creating a rich atmosphere that envelopes readers in mystery and emotion. Less is more in this work, as a limited palette and effectively sparse background details focus on the action that drives the story forward. However, a lack of transitions and context does create some jarring moments as readers are hurtled through the story. Main characters cue as white. VERDICT Masterful illustrations are let down by disjointed text. Still, it's a fun, quick read. Purchase where the series is popular and readers are hungry for action-packed reads.--Maryjean Riou

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Robert Beatty
Robert Beatty is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Serafina series and the Willa of the Wood series published by Disney Hyperion. Loved by young readers and adults alike, the Serafina and Willa books are being taught in over a thousand classrooms nationwide, and have been translated into over 22 languages. Robert lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and three daughters. He writes full-time now, but in his past lives, Robert was one of the early pioneers of cloud computing, the founder/CEO of Plex Systems, the co-founder of Beatty Robotics, and the chairman/CTO of Narrative magazine. In 2007, he was named an Entrepreneur of the Year. When asked about the inspiration for his books, Robert said, "The Serafina and Willa books grew out of my desire to write stories about unusual and heroic young girls for my three daughters."
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781368072229
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Disney Hyperion
Publication date
April 20, 2023
Series
Serafina
BISAC categories
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV018000 - Juvenile Fiction | Horror
JUV008040 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Action & Adventure
JUV008120 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Mystery & Detective
JUV008100 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Horror
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Identity
Identity (Psychology)
Graphic novels
Supernatural
Horror stories
Good and evil
Cartoons and comics
Historical comics
Horror comics
Paranormal comics
Biltmore Estate (Asheville, N.C.)

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