Ink Girls

by Marieke Nijkamp (Author) Sylvia Bi (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

"In this vibrant story about the power of the printed word and the strength of found families, every page is bursting with life and detail." --Ethan Aldridge, creator of the bestselling Estranged

"Fabulous!" --Dan Santat, award-winning author of A First Time for Everything

"Glorious! This empowering read is absolutely unforgettable." --Ellen Oh, acclaimed author of Finding Junie Kim

Every secret is a story waiting to happen.

From New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and illustrator Sylvia Bi, this debut middle grade graphic novel celebrates the power that everyone--even those often overlooked--has to create change.

In a vibrant city, two girls from very different walks of life join forces to fight censorship and protect the people they love. Eleven-year-old Cinzia is a printer's apprentice. She adores Mestra Aronne for taking her in--most guilds don't have room for apprentices with a crippled leg--and she loves life in the raggedy workshop that smells of paper and printing, where secrets and stories are always circulating. So when Mestra Aronne is imprisoned for publishing accusations against the ruling family, Cinzia will do anything to prove that Mestra Aronne only told the truth.

Elena is the exact same age as Cinzia, but she's forced to keep to her rooms and garden. To protect her, according to her mother. To protect the city, according to her uncle. Because Elena is not the charming, powerful noble her family wants her to be. According to them, she doesn't communicate well. She's too gullible and literal and struggles to understand other people.

After unexpectedly meeting face-to-face, the girls follow a trail of clues through their golden city, drawing supporters and learning more about their home and each other than they ever could have imagined. If one person--no matter how young--can change the course of history, just imagine what a whole flock of them could do.

Bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp and debut illustrator Sylvia Bi have crafted an indelible, vibrant story about finding and using your voice, perfect for fans of Lightfall, Tidesong, and The Prince and the Dressmaker.

Select format:
Paperback
$15.99

Kirkus

A topical ode to truth-telling and community.

Review quotes

This fabulous mystery celebrates the importance of truth and transparency—and Sylvia Bi's attention to detail is astonishing! — Dan Santat, award-winning author of A First Time for Everything

Glorious! With immersive world-building and brilliantly developed characters, this empowering read is absolutely unforgettable. — Ellen Oh, acclaimed author of Finding Junie Kim

In this vibrant story about the power of the printed word and the strength of found families, every page is bursting with life and detail. — Ethan Aldridge, creator of the bestselling Estranged

[Two] girls become caught in a web of political intrigue and urban corruption as they work to expose treachery and make a better world. . . . Drawn in warm jewel tones and embellished with charming details . . . Bi's meticulous, lively art captures the bustling streets and a sense of adventure around every corner. . . . Cinzia navigates her world as a cane user whose disability never excludes her from the action. Elena's neurodivergence is presented as an asset . . . A topical ode to truth-telling and community. — Kirkus Reviews

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063027107
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Greenwillow Books
Publication date
November 20, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV039220 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Values & Virtues
JUV039150 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Special Needs
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV016000 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | General
JUV013090 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Alternative Family
JUV008080 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Fantasy
JUV008090 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Historical
JUV077000 - Juvenile Fiction | Neurodiversity
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Graphic novels
Cartoons and comics
Censorship
Social issue comics

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