SLIP
written by Marika McCoola, illustrated by Aatmaja Pandya
Algonquin Young Readers: 9781643752495 (hc), 9781616207892 (pb) - Coming June 7, 2022
An emotional coming-of-age graphic novel for fans of Bloom and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me about one young artist’s life-changing summer—with a magical twist. How do you move on when you don’t want to let go?
Right before Jade is about to leave for a summer art intensive, her best friend, Phoebe, attempts suicide. Jade is shaken and Phoebe is unreachable. How is Jade supposed to focus on herself right now? But at the Art Farm she has artistic opportunities she’s been waiting for her whole life. As Jade gets to know her classmates, she begins to fall for whimsical, upbeat, comfortable-in-her-own-skin Mary, and pours herself into making ceramic monsters who vent her stress and the worst of her emotions. When Jade puts her creatures in the kiln, something magical happens, something that shouldn’t be real: they come to life. And they’re taking a stand: if Jade won’t confront her problems, her problems are going to confront her. The biggest problem is the scariest one of all—if Jade grows, prospers, and even falls in love this summer, is she leaving Phoebe behind?
“With themes ranging from mental health to self-discovery, this art-infused text will entice graphic novel fans and art students and leave them wanting another installment of Jade’s story.” –Angie Jameson, School Library Journal
ScreenRant Review and Preview “Slip seems perfectly poised to deal with the tumult of young life, dealing not solely with happiness, guilt, sadness, or attraction, but with how they combine and intermingle.” -Alex Schlesinger
BABA YAGA'S ASSISTANT
written by Marika McCoola, illustrated by Emily Carroll
Candlewick Press: 9780763669614 (hc), 9781536213102 (pb)
This graphic novel follows the story of Masha, a young teen. After the death of her grandmother, Masha doesn't know what to do with her life. Her father is absent, more involved with his fiance than his daughter. When Masha discovers an ad seeking an assistant for Baba Yaga, she ventures into the woods to apply. But once there, Masha must pass three tests handed down from the terrifying witch, the last of which is cooking children for dinner.
Awards & Praise for BABA YAGA'S ASSISTANT
Debuted at #3 on the New York Times Graphics Bestseller List, on the list for 11 weeks
Winner of the 2015 New England Book Award: Children‘s
Nominated for the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids
Kirkus starred review: "A magnificently magical must-read for all fairy-tale fans."
Kirkus Reviews’ Best Middle-Grade Books of 2015
2015 Junior Library Guild selection
2016 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2016 Notable Book
CYBILS Finalist
2015 New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing list
Shortlisted for the 2015 Autostraddle Comic and Sequential Art Awards: Favorite Graphic Novel/Book
Chicago Public Library’s Kids Best of the Best Books of 2015
Texas Library Association‘s Little Mavericks 2016 Graphic Novel List
Amazon Best Children’s Books of the Year
Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, Graphic Novels: Grades 4-6 Category, 2016-2017
Highly Recommended by the Boston Authors Club Julia Warde Howe Award, 2016
2016 Kansas State Reading Circle Catalog
2016 Massachusetts Book Award Honor, Young Adult/Middle Reader
Hornbook Recommended Page-Turners: Middle School Fiction and Nonfiction, July 2016
PW review: "Strong, complex characters and the inventive fusion of contemporary and fairy tale elements make this a noteworthy collaboration."
Booklist review: "Carroll’s dark yet luminous artwork is a perfect match for McCoola’s tale...full of eerie shading and delicate detail."
SWIPE RIGHT
An online dating memoir comic based on actual experiences using dating apps in the Great Boston Area. Through dates, reflections, conversations, profiles, and statistics, McCoola explores contemporary dating with humor and insight. Illustrations are in pencil, with added notes of Millennial Pink, and paneling is based on Shojo manga. SWIPE RIGHT is currently on submission. Queries can be directed to Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary, LLC.