Garlic & the Vampire

 

  •   Paulsen, Bree. Garlic & the Vampire. Quill Tree, 2021. Grades 3-7

  • A Farm-fresh read, Garlic & the Vampire features anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables who are brought to life by a witch named Agnes. This graphic novel is the first in the series and reads a lot like a fairy tale, except the protagonists are produce and not people. The fruits and veggies help with farming and sell their produce alongside the human witch. Our protagonist Garlic is anxious and loving but enjoys safety and staying within her comfort zone. Her best friend and roommate, Carrot, cares for Galic and pushes her to try new things. One day, their peaceful life gets interrupted when they notice smoke coming from the old, abandoned castle. The witch, Agnes, shares that her mother used to tell her stories about a vampire who once lived there, prompting everyone to wonder if he has returned and what his intentions are Since Garlic is known to be a vampire's weakness, she gets nominated by Celery to find out if there really is a vampire living in the castle. Will Garlic actually repel vampires? Armed with the help of Agnes and accompanied by old grumpy Celery, Garlic must come out of her comfort zone and protect those she loves from the bloodthirsty vampire. Garlic reflects, "I don't want to feel like a disappointment. If I decide to do nothing and something bad happens, it'll be my fault... I need to prove to Carrot that they're right, that I am brave enough" (82). This spooky and funny graphic novel uses a lot of word play, such as “oh grapes” and “cheese and chives”(105), adding not only to the humor but also helping immerse readers in the unique anthropomorphic world. Showcasing themes of anxiety, fitting in, bravery, and being afraid of the unknown, this is a great selection for middle grades. Garlic learns throughout her journey that she is braver than she knows and sometimes we fear the unknown without giving it a chance. The plot is straight forward, but the illustrations offer an opportunity for deeper analysis. The illustrations work with the text and play off the veggies and fruits by leaning into earth tones and nature, embodying Autum. All of the characters maintain their distinct shape and color while being given human bodies; their faces are expressive and provide a magical, whimsical feel. The use of color and detail function well enough on their own and a few panels contain no words. This is a wonderful choice for those who love adventure, spooky stories, or who are looking for a pick me up. I highly recommend this read to all young readers and libraries who are looking for a fast-paced, engaging work for middle grades.

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