The Return of Zita the Spacegirl (Zita the Spacegirl Series #3)

by Ben Hatke, Ben Hatke (Illustrator)

Overview

Ben Hatke brings back our intrepid space heroine for another delightful sci-fi/fantasy adventure in this New York Times-Bestselling graphic novel trilogy for middle grade readers.

Zita the Spacegirl has saved planets, battled monsters, and wrestled with interplanetary fame. But she faces her biggest challenge yet in the third and final installment of the Zita adventures. Wrongfully imprisoned on a penitentiary planet, Zita has to plot the galaxy's greatest jailbreak before the evil prison warden can execute his plan of interstellar domination!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626720589
Publisher:	First Second
Publication date:	05/13/2014
Series:	Zita the Spacegirl Series , #3
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	102,049
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	GN280L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Ben Hatke's first graphic novel was Zita the Spacegirl. He has published comics stories in the Flight series as well as Flight Explorer. In addition to writing and drawing comics, he also paints in the naturalist tradition and, occasionally, performs one-man fire shows. Return of Zita the Spacegirl is his most recent entry in the New York Times Best-Selling Zita trilogy.

Hatke lives and works in the Shenandoah Valley with his wife and their boisterous pack of daughters.

Editorial Reviews

“Stellar . . . Hatke's storytelling and worldbuilding are top-notch, ebulliently juxtaposed against vibrantly expressive art . . . Fans of the series: Don't miss this.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“As this fine adventure comes to its final pages, Hatke leaves the door just a bit ajar for more interstellar exploits.” —Booklist, starred review

“Marvelously inventive!” —Boing Boing on the Zita Series

“A page-turner!” —Scripps Howard on the Zita Series

“Wonderful!” —Wired Geek Dad on the Zita Series

From the Publisher

Plunge into the depths of outer space and delve into the final chapter of the “Zita the Spacegirl” trilogy. The story begins where Legends of Zita the Spacegirl left off. Teenage heroine Zita has been captured and is being sentenced for the “crimes” she committed when she saved the alienoid Lumponians. She is stripped of her signature green cape and thrown into a dungeon where she meets Ragpile, a creature made of rags, and a pun-cracking skeleton named Femur. Zita seeks an escape route after Femur lends Zita a “key” to the dungeon. This leads Zita to a number of close calls as she encounters a variety of dangers. She eventually reunites with her classmate Joseph and a host of other friends who help her quest, and help her save the earth from an alien invasion. Even though this is the final entry in the Zita saga, it is also enjoyable as a standalone text. Hatke has developed endearing characters and witty dialogue that engage readers. The atmospheric illustrations add to the narrative’s epic feel. The end of the book features Hatke’s notes about the origins of Zita the Spacegirl and some original sketches. This graphic novel is essential for all graphic novel collections. The third installment in the “Zita the Spacegirl” series. Reviewer: Brandon West; Ages 8 to 12.

Children's Literature - Brandon West

05/01/2014
Gr 3–6—Hatke wraps up this delightful series by neatly tying together all three books. While each volume can be read independently and thoroughly enjoyed solo, the experience of reading the trilogy nicely frames the wider story arc. Zita, now stripped of her possessions, including her signature green cape, remains spunky and feisty. Relegated to a dungeon for her alleged crimes, she meets two unlikely cellmates: a pile of rags, and a rotting skeleton who intones "Eye-spy with my little socket." Cinematic influences are evident throughout, from the opening panoramic scenes to the Evil Dungeon Lord with powers reminiscent of the Sith. The author's wit and comic timing sparkle in this adventure. His motley collection of characters is an absolute delight, and each of their humorous exchanges are spot-on. Readers will be amused by their foibles, and by the text's humor that is gentle, and never vicious. Kids will revel in the wordplay; clever use of language abounds, especially in a discussion on the use of "hallway" vs. "corridor" and when one evildoer explains that the hand signals for quotation marks are the "Universal sign for 'you're actually supposed to kill her." Fans of the young heroine will undoubtedly cheer for this continuation of Zita's saga and eagerly hope that the final page signals further episodes. Back matter including artwork and the story's origins are a bonus.—Barbara M. Moon, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

School Library Journal

★ 2014-03-31
After facing innumerable interstellar dangers, Zita finds herself locked in a dungeon. How will the plucky heroine escape now?Zita has seen myriad adventures throughout galaxies far, far away: planet-destroying Star Hearts, identity-stealing robot clones and the loss of her best friend, Joseph. In this third installment, she finds herself locked in a dungeon on a hidden planet. Despite her captivity, she is determined to escape, and along the way—as she has in all her previous adventures—she stops to help those who need her. Surprises tumble out from behind every corner, through many wordless, action-filled sequences smartly reminiscent of Kazu Kibuishi's flow in his Amulet series. Perhaps the most wondrous surprise comes at the close of this offering, when Zita finds herself in the place she'd least expect to be. Zita is a modern-day Dorothy fighting aliens instead of the Wicked Witch of the West, undoubtedly one of the spirited and valiant heroines in comics today. Hatke's storytelling and worldbuilding are top-notch, ebulliently juxtaposed against vibrantly expressive art. The end to this trilogy crystallizes (pun intended) beautifully, adroitly weaving together the threads from its predecessors. Fans of the series: Don't miss this. Stellar. (Graphic science fiction. 8-13)

Kirkus Reviews