Magic Pickle

Magic Pickle #1

by Scott Morse

When Weapon Kosher, the Magic Pickle, erupts from the bedroom floor of little Jo Jo Wigman, she has to answer a lot of questions! What's the Magic Pickle's connection to the Brotherhood of Evil Produce? What is "Dill Justice"? How did Danny Johnson get to be so cute? Eisner-nominated creator Scott Morse has all the answers!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Childrens, Comics, Humor, Middle Grade, Superheroes

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Scott Morse (sometimes known as C. Scott Morse or C. S. Morse) is an American animator, filmmaker, and comic book artist/writer.

Much of Morse's published work consists of stand-alone graphic novels, although he is perhaps best known for his epic series Soulwind, a story serialised in a sequence of graphic novels, which was nominated for both the Eisner and Ignatz awards.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic Pickle, also known as Weapon Kosher, was a regular pickle that accidentally was infused with superhero powers. He was not the only ones, except the rest of the vegetables went bad and formed the Brotherhood of Evil Produce. Magic Pickle has been was frozen, and was just woken up in order to protect everyone from the Brotherhood. When he is awoken, he blasts through the door of young Jo Jo Wigmans. Jo Jo decides she should join Weapon Kosher since he broke her floor. She also thinks this superhero should help her with her problem, which is Lu Lu Deederly. Lu Lu is a bit of a bully to Jo Jo, and She wants Magic Pickle to help her.
Eventually Magic Pickle and Jo Jo fight the Brotherhood, but Romaine Gladiator escapes. Magic Pickle and Romaine Gladiator are looking for each other, but Romaine Gladiator also wants to get Jo Jo because he feel that she was helping Magic Pickle. Magic Pickle and Jo Jo both need to solve their problems. School lunch time may be the time for that.
I would recommend this book to 3-6th graders. The story if filled with puns the the older group would enjoy, but the story is understandable enough for younger students. The problems Jo Jo encounter are very common ones among many elementary students, so I think they can easily relate to the story. The fact that it is a graphic novel about a magic pickle I feel will draw many boys to the book (and even the series), but the female main character, Jo Jo, will draw girls into reading the book, which could make this a highly read book.
The eye-catching graphics are very bright and cartoon-like. It is funny to see vegetables dressed up as superheroes and super-villain. In the back of the book, the author also gives a "how to" section about drawing produce characters. I like how he even makes the people characters based on vegetables.
This is a highly entertaining book, and I think it could bring many children to reading graphic novels or reading in general.

[Anina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kid I babysit for is completely obsessed with this series. It's basically just a mishmash of fruit and vegetable puns. A perfect graphic novel for 6 year old (or older-if they can read themselves) boys. Or girls. But I like that all the violence results in is...tomato sauce. So some mothers of boys might appreciate. The silliness is infectious, and I think most adults would find it amusing.
I'm certainly enjoying it more than when we were reading those Magic Tree House books out loud over and over.

[Erin Reilly-Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was fun and enjoyable with lots of produce-powered puns and some cool illustrations by Scott Morse. It's pretty cute in a zippy, snazzy way and fun to read, including bits on how to draw vegetable-like characters.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

The humor is pretty cheesy, you know, but I love Scott Morse's art and I think it's the kind of cheesy kids like. I never thought I'd outgrow lame puns in children's literature, but there's SO MUCH of that sort of thing out there that it does get old.

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious graphic novel about a pickle who is an undercover agent who needs to stop other bad vegetables from dastardly deeds.

[Reza Aleeya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and entertaining

[tony dillard jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book sitting on my to-read pile for a very long time. I got this book during my days of volunteering at a dollar book warehouse. So it's been with me for maybe 5 years and I am really kicking myself for having waited so long!

Sometime in the 1950s or 60s, a scientist accidentally dropped the pickle he was having for lunch into some chemicals. As a result, the brined cucumber became sentient and Weapon Kosher was born! Over time, the scientist developed a whole army of veggie superheroes. Unfortunately, these guys all turned evil and went into hiding. As a result, Weapon Kosher was put into cryo-freeze with the hopes that where the bad produce returned, the Magic Pickle would be there to save the day.

It's now the modern day and Weapon Kosher's slumber has been interrupted. He wakes up to find himself in the bedroom of young JoJo Wigman, an elementary school child whose house was built over the science lab facility that gave birth to Magic Pickle! JoJo is indignant that there's now a giant hole in her bedroom floor. But she's thrilled to become a part of a secret world of science, superheroes and evil vegetables. And whether Weapon Kosher likes it or not, the Magic Pickle has a new sidekick!

The book was brilliantly written. Funny and smart. The artwork, especially of the produce, was dynamic, brooding and inked to a point, that they literally all jump off the page!

Magic Pickle is part Captain America and part Veggie Tales and 100% pure fun! I laughed and chuckled so many times. I was something that I didn't want to see end!

The fun actually extends past the main story as there is a bonus story in which the Magic Pickle takes on the threat of the Loconut! Plus, there's a section on how to draw the characters of this story. I thought the Loconut tale was just great. The art lesson, however, was just a little too off-the-wall for my tastes. A story about a pickle with super powers and the how-to section was the part that was too silly? Yes- but it's because of how unlike an art instructional article this section was that I thought it was just too much.

I personally, didn't get my fill of Magic Pickle. I've researched and there appears to be at least 4 other books in the series. Amazon seems to have most of them. I'm hoping my local library has more copies. Either way, I'm getting my hands on some more of this Scott Morse (Plastic Man) creation in the very near future.

And with a character named Weapon Kosher, might I recommend a Hanukkah volume? As a fan of holiday comics and graphic novels, I would definitely buy a copy of that- NEW!

This is a book that will make the kiddies want to finish all their vegetables!

[Lacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was first really into this book. It was fun and fresh. I liked the humor. It lost me though because of some red flags…

The pickle is called Weapon Kosher. Yes, love the positive inclusion of Jewish culture. He has a star on his head. I thought okay cool, let’s turn the yellow star into a positive symbol for justice. But it’s not a Jewish star. It’s blue though, so that’s something. This takes place in Hicksville, USA. Might just be a throwaway place but there’s a Hicksville on Long Island, the island having a large Jewish community. The enemy is a romaine lettuce (that looks like a cabbage) named the Romaine Gladiator. The old man in charge of the pickle is named Dr. Jekyll Formaldehyde. The only person interested in eating the pickle is a nerdy mouth breather with glasses who then gets his glasses punched off by the pickle. It’s called the Magic Pickle, but the pickle was held in stasis in a basement lab from the 50s. We first meet him when he emerges from below a little girl’s bed and then burns off the foot portion of her footie pjs.

It started strong and could have been a good story. It’s just too lazy with the writing and the appropriation. Would not recommend.

[Shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who doesn’t love a magical pickle? It doesn’t get much better than that. Most of the best novels come in graphic form. The illustrations are amazing and surprisingly filled with many other vegetables. Vegetables make comics a little more funny. This goofy story stars a magic pickle and preteen girl who takes on the rotten veggies in the Brotherhood of the Evil Produce. Will the magic pickle defeat the other vegetables or will he lose everything? I guess we should find out. Magic pickle by Scott Morse.

[Kaytlynn Menke]

I find the Magic Pickle series so oddly entertaining. They're humorous but effective to open kids up to reading. A lot of Magic Pickle stories have a social dilemma as the main plot line which could be worked into a lesson on community in social studies. The way it is written is very approachable and has decent character arches..which could be used for an english lesson. Using it as a base example for kids to write their own story frames for a graphic novel is even an idea for an ELA lesson. This is targeted around that 3rd and 4th grade age group.

[Beth Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not the target audience for this book. I read to cross off the Graphic Novel space on my summer reading bingo. Some ok puns but overall not for me. I kept reading the bubbles in the wrong order and being confused about what was happening. And I didn't really care what was happening either.

[Jayden phillips]

everyone loves a pickle

[Luciano Bortoluz · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah
(best book)

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't decide if i hate this guys imagination or wish it was mine

[Caren Levin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Magic Pickle
Author: Scott Morse
Illustrator: Jose Garibaldi
Genre: Graphic Novel
Theme(s): Cartoons, Comics, Vegetables, Heroes, Humor

Opening Line/Sentence: “My name’s Jo Jo Wigman. I go to school an’ stuff.”

Brief Book Summary: This is a humorous graphic novel about a magical pickle that has been accidentally created by a scientist. He is supposed to remain a secret, however, he flies into Jo Jo Wigman’s room one night, and they become a team. Although Magic Pickle fights for the good guys, there are other ‘evil’ produce that the Magic Pickle must fight off. In this action packed graphic novel, Magic Pickle and Jo Jo Wigman fight off Romaine Gladiator, Chili Chili Bang Bang, the Phantom Carrot and the Peashooter.

Professional Recommendation/ Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 7))
“Different plot, different format, same cast: Running parallel to published chapter-book episodes such as Magic Pickle and the Planet of Grapes (2007), this scenario-setter introduces the bulked-up cuke superhero. Blasting out of a lab hidden beneath the floor of feisty everylass JoJo Wigman, he propels himself into battle with the Brotherhood of Evil Produce in particular the quick and canny Romaine Gladiator. “Weapon Kosher” (his codename) comes through of course, dispensing “Dill Justice” to all villains while JoJo takes on class princess Lu Lu Deederly on the side. Portraying the nonstop action with an effervescent blend of discrete panels and insets, Morse depicts his flying pickled protagonist with muscular arms and a “tasteful yet mysteriously revealing” star above a pair of ferociously squinting eyes. Evidently to make up the page count, the author tacks on a short yet silly encounter between Pickle and a lottery-winning bazillionaire who’s been transformed into a coconut, then closes with basic advice for aspiring cartoonists. Diverting and dill-ectable”

Professional Recommendation/ Review #2:
Jesse Karp (Booklist, Mar. 15, 2008 (Vol. 104, No. 14))
“Imagine grade-schooler Jojo Wigman’s surprise when a super secret, super powerful government weapon, Weapon Kosher, comes popping through her floor after decades in suspended animation. Imagine her annoyance when this flying, energy-blasting magic pickle takes on enemies such as the Romaine Gladiator instead of helping out with school-bully Lulu. Looks like it’s time for Jojo to campaign for a job as Weapon Kosher’s sidekick. Starting with an irresistibly goofy premise, Morse layers on sly humor, astute references, and blazing action, turning in a charming, slam-band story that will leave children clamoring for the rest of the upcoming series. That his story addresses worthy age-appropriate school issues is a bonus, as is the fact that his art shows the style and uncontainable dynamism of comic legend Jack Kirby, whose pencil defined the superhero genre. This delightful surprise concludes with a smart-alecky How to Draw Production section, yet another of Morse’s clever gags.”

Response to 2 Professional Reviews: Both reviewer’s write about how humorous this graphic novel is and its’ appeal to young readers. The character’s names themselves are very clever, such as “Weapon Kosher” or “the Brotherhood of Evil Produce”. The concept of this novel is very unique and attention grabbing to young readers. They write specifically about the ending of the book and how the author includes a “How to Draw” section. The will make readers want to continue reading the rest of this series and drawing more characters.

Evaluation of Literary Elements: One attention-grabbing element of this graphic novel is the animated, colorful pictures. These pictures make all of the characters look very silly and stand out, compared to other novels. The way the graphic novel sets up the pages is also very interesting. There are subsections on each page with small speech bubbles, so the reader has time to look at each picture and read short sentences. Some pages that are more intense, will have larger pictures, for instance when Magic Pickle is telling Jo Jo how he was created. Similarly, the use of speech bubbles and the conversational language is very appealing to readers (3rd or 4th grade), because it’s written in a type of language they are more familiar with.

Consideration of Instructional Application: I could use this story as an example of a graphic novel. I would teach my class about graphic novels and how different the illustrations can be and the page layout. Then in our library, I would include this book for independent reading. I would also use this book as an introduction to science fiction novels. Many science fiction books are difficult to understand, however, this book takes a comically spin on vegetables, and how a pickle was created to have magical powers. After sharing this book with the class, I would have them write their own science fiction book either as a novel or graphic novel.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should begin this review by being straight with you. I am not an impartial reader of this book. There have been times, more in my life than I can count, when I have craved a dill pickle spear. I admit it. The cat is officially out of the bad. I love pickles and I’m not ashamed of the fact. And magic pickles do sound tasty. On the other hand, I’m also a picky graphic novel reader. There’s so much tripe out there being produced for kids these days that anytime I get handed a new children’s GN my immediate reaction is to cringe. And Magic Pickle, for all its myriad charms, didn’t necessarily look like something I might enjoy. Still, I gamely plucked it up and found to my surprise that not only is it readable and fun, I also detect a sly understated wit at work here. As understated as scientifically advanced super veggies can be, anyway. Since big green superheroes tend to be of the “Hulk, smash!” variety, I suggest you take a moment out of your day to try your hand at a smaller equally green superhero, unafraid of villainous produce or footie pajamas.

His origins are super secret . . . or at least they were until he crashed through the bedroom floor of little Jo Jo Wigman. The heroic product of a scientist’s lunch and some particle confabulation, the pickle Weapon Kosher fights for truth, justice, yadda yadda yadda. Unfortunately, for every dill yin there’s a rotten yang to contend with. The Brotherhood of Evil Produce has just come out of hiding after more than 50 years, and that means that it’s time for the cryogenically frozen pickle to get back to serving justice. Of course, his lab is now located directly under the floor of young Jo Jo Wigman and she is NOT going to be kept out of the action. Jo Jo is fighting her own battles with the mean girl at school and it’s possible that the pickle might be just the answer she’s been looking for.

Morse’s drawing style is this elastic energetic series of shifting panels and inserts. Images are constantly overlapping or going panel-less for maximum effect. You might not recognize it on a first reading, but Morse is doing some pretty fancy footwork with this story. For example, when Jo Jo starts spinning a crazy story about how she is wearing her pajamas at the bus stop because it’s the latest style and she’s coming from a swank party, her backgrounds alternate between starbursts, swirls, and a kind of eclectic cut paper effect. Morse doesn’t have to do this, y'know. In fact, it’s much easier to just draw boxes and put people in them without all the subconscious imagery. Easier, but less thrilling in the long run. The book doesn't actually tell you who has done the coloring for this title, which is as pity. I don’t know that we can assume that Morse does his own, since that’s not always the job of the artist proper. If he IS the person responsible, though, then I doff my cap to him because the colors in this book are right proper.

My boss handed me this book with the note that it was hard to get around the name “The Romaine Gladiator”. So consider this your warning: If you have a low tolerance for fruit and veggie nomenclature and tomfoolery, best to avoid this puppy. I, for my part, was kind of charmed by Morse’s selections. Tell me you’re not just the slightest bit taken with these names from The Brotherhood of Evil Produce: Phantom Carrot, Squish Squash, Peashooter, and Chili Chili Bang Bang. Even as you read them you can see how this book will benefit from being read aloud. My own dad used to read us comic books sometimes when I was a kid, and I’m sure there will be many a young lad and lass who will enjoy hearing the sound of the pickle’s adventures.

Morse’s dialogue sort of sealed the deal for me, though. Weapon Kosher is a very Captain America kind of speaker. If he had a chin, it would be cleft. Jo Jo, on the other hand, is very much a smart alecky kid. In their first exchange, Kosher initially accuses Jo Jo of being “an agent of evil.” Her retort is a pointed, “Are you serious? I’m wearing footsie jimmies here.” Of course, Jo Jo’s cool head made it a bit difficult to believe that she really felt any suffering at the hands of the school’s Queen Bee, Lu Lu Deederly. You never see Jo Jo all that downtrodden after an exchange. Not that I really minded, but it meant that she didn’t have much of a story of her own to pair alongside Kosher’s escapades.

Still, as new graphic novel series go, this one’s a keeper. Even the requisite bad puns actually come off as funny (a near impossibility when you get right down to it). I may have had my fill of superhero graphic novels, but if you combine that old standard with the ingredients of a salad, the result is magic. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future pickle adventures to come.

Ages 5-10

[francisco simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great comic book!

I am 10 and this book is nice for kids it has a sense of humor 😂. Also it is very creative and I review this book for kids from 6-18 it never gets old!

[Shel]

Morse, S. (2008). Magic Pickle. New York: Graphix.

0439879957

MAGIC PICKLE! Doesn't a title like that just demand your attention? Okay, maybe not. But it demanded MY attention and since I have the attention span of a nine-year-old boy, it'll most likely attract their attention as well.

Broken up into chapters, this graphic novel shares Jo Jo's story of how she befriended a magic superhero pickle that lives under her bedroom. Sadly the Magic Pickle is a little behind on the times (what with sitting in a refrigerated pickle jar--ahem, I mean in a cryogenic slumber for 50 years). Despite being behind the times, Magic Pickle must prepare to face the Phantom Carrot, Chili Chili Bang Bang and other members of the evil brotherhood of vegetables that have gone bad (in the moral sense, not the moldy sense). Unwilling to be left behind, Jo Jo researches the Magic Pickle's origins and prepares to help him. But Magic Pickle is less than enthused by the thought of a sidekick. The hunt for the last rotten vegetable will lead Magic Pickle to school and Jo Jo's side. Will he be able to help her in the climactic final food fight?

With lots of pickle puns, vegetable jokes and literary and science-y names, this graphic novel has a lot of fun with language. As with many superhero narratives, there are some insults and punches thrown here or there, but as to whether or not the image of a wee orange carrot taking on a girl will rile up readers remains to be seen. More likely, it may rile up the occasional protective parent.

This book can be particularly meaningful for students who follow strict religious laws about food, since the Magic Pickle named for this series is "Weapon Kosher." I can just picture a certain Jewish man I know who grew up in the 1950s, thinking back and wishing he'd had an empowering Weapon Kosher in his youth.

And (of course) there's a whole series of Magic Pickle graphic novels to be entertained by now.

Overall a fun child-friendly twist of the superhero narrative.

Activities to Do with the Book:

This is a wonderful recommendation for students who loved Captain Underpants or graphic novels in general. As with most graphic novels, Magic Pickle requires both visual literacy as well as traditional text-based literacy. But it is longer than the Captain Underpants books, easing students into longer titles.

Since discussion of the Soviet Union is incorporated, a social teacher could take that on as a teaching moment and discuss the cold war (and maybe even bring back Dr. Seuss's The Butter Battle Book too!). Other possible teaching topics including pickling, illustrations based on the "How to Draw Produce" guide, jealousy, embarrassment, bullies, growing vegetables, etc.

If a teacher had students working in a community or school gardening (or just completed a unit on spring, nutrition or plant growth) presented children with the option of reading Magic Pickle individually or in a literature circle could be a fun closing on the unit.

An off the wall option, for high school teachers or college professors would be to bring in this graphic novel to encourage students to do a Freudian reading of it. A magical and powerful pickle (AKA a phallic symbol) seeks to defeat other phalluses , I mean...vegitables--while a young girl both wishes to help said phallic symbol and is angry that it violated the private space of her room. Hmmm....


Favorite Quotes:

“My name is Jo Jo Wigman. I go to school an' stuff. I got this secret. Nobody at school, in fact nobody in the whole world, even knows. It's a big secret. I'll tell you, but you probably won't buy it."

"There's a superpowered pickle that lives under my bedroom."

"In 1951, world-renowned scientist Dr. Jekyll Formaldehyde accidentally dropped the vegetable portion of his well-balanced lunch into the path of an experimental particle confabulator."

"Dill justice became his only desire."

"Your brains are well past their expiration dates."

"I'm wearing a star. Tasteful, yet mysteriously revealing."

For more of my reviews, visit sjkessel.blogspot.com.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jo Jo Wigman lived a fairly normal life attending school, spending time with her friends, and occasionally dealing with bully Lu Lu Deederly, when suddenly a super powered pickle shot out from her room's floorboard from a secret lab beneath her house. This pickle is none other than Weapon Kosher, an all-American top-secret superhero from 1951 designed by Dr. Jekyll Formaldehyde to protect the world from catastrophic danger. But Weapon Kosher isn't the only super powered vegetable Dr. Formaldehyde created; his failed experiments have formed the rotten Brotherhood of Evil Produce and aim to conquer the world. It's up to Weapon Kosher and Jo Jo to find these villainous veggies and put an end to their plot!

This graphic novel is a cute comic book that is a delightful read for all ages. There's an immense amount of youthful creativity that was implemented in this book that makes the story so enjoyable to read through. Since the creator is an award-winning graphic novelist and experienced cartoonist, the art style is fantastic and perfectly encapsulates the energetic feeling of a child's cartoon, pleasing the reader with light hearted comedy and exaggerated action. I liked how the author even has a little section at the end where he encourages readers to have fun with comics themselves, sharing helpful cartooning tips like practicing with "straights versus curves" when drawing lines. Magic Pickle was a pleasant read that I'd recommend for younger audiences, but if you'd like to just read something silly and action-packed, then this could be a book for you too!

[Linnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

genre: superhero/graphic novel

summary: The Magic Pickle has been genetically engineered by the government to be a veggie super-solider. Unfortunately not all of the governments experiments were successful. Evil veggie villains have been unleashed and it's up to "Weapon Kosher" to stop them with Jo Jo's help (little girl who meets the pickle one night when he crashes into her bedroom).

notes: this was on our library's 'new cart' and i picked it up because i was intrigued by the ridiculous title and assumed it was another crappy straggler trying to grasp on to the graphic novel/comic craze....but i found myself giggling

for kids who like: graphic novels, Lunch Lady,

age group: age 7+ (obviously a fun read to book for younger kids as well)

my review: Like i said in the notes, this ended up being a lot funnier than I thought. The little girl, Jo Jo, is super-sharp and no-nonsense especially for one in footie pajamas. Without her "straight-man" approach to the mutated-munchie-madness, the story would be completely ridiculous and out of hand. Her comments and jabs make the story both hilarious and fun.

[lprater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic Novel: The Magic Pickle is an interesting graphic novel about a pickle with superpowers living under the bedroom floor of a young girl. In an attempt to save the world from evil produce, the two join forces to solve the pickles problem of mutant evil vegetables on the loose and Jo Jo’s problem with a bully at school. The language in the book made it fun to read, even as an adult. Names such as Chili Chili Bang Bang (like Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang) and romaine gladiator (roman gladiator) would make the story interesting for an adult who may be sharing the story with a child. Older students, around grades three through five, would also appreciate the humor of the book. I did not appreciate the fact that food fight had been started in the story and the occasional name-calling, but could see why the author chose to include that for an elementary audience. The graphics in the novel were quite colorful and made reading the story easy. I would recommend this book for grades 3-5, possible 2nd grade with the help from an adult.

[Robin Duple · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art style in this children's graphic novel reminds me of the Invader Zim TV series. There was some good humor (including a bad guy named Chili-Chili Bang Bang) but I couldn't decide if I really enjoyed reading it over my lunch break or if it just passed the time. (I survey our library's collections over lunch breaks for reader's advisory purposes.)

Jo Jo, the main character, is just a normal girl -- not a super genius, not a super model, but a regular girl. I like that in a protagonist, especially in a children's story, but I guess it just didn't grab me. In my defense, it is a pretty silly idea to make a pickle into a superhero -- I personally would have thought this might appeal more to preschool and kindergarten audiences than elementary school ones.

However, the School Library Journal and Booklist reviews say it's meant for grades 2-5, so don't discount the goofy humor and ridiculous plot if you're looking for a quick, light read to entertain that age group.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magic Pickle is about a normal pickle that was infused with powers and becomes a super hero pickle. It is his job to protect everyone from the "evil brotherhood" which is a group of vegetables that have gone back and created a back of evil villains. The magic pickle series, in my opinion, is one of the easiest children's graphic novels to follow. Scott Morse does a great job of making sure the graphics and texts in the book flow nicely from page to page and is easy to follow for anyone new to the graphic novel set up. The Comics are colorful, momentous and eye catching. It is a great book for older students making the transition from picture/chapter books who isn't ready to take on full blown novels. This is a great book that will capture the attention of readers and have them coming back for more.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic Pickle, like most excellent media aimed at kids, is eminently silly but not the least bit stupid. There are an abundance of food puns (Magic Pickle, a.k.a. Weapon Kosher, fights the Brotherhood of Rotten Produce), but it's all based on a tried and true superhero formula that I think all kids should be indoctrinated with. The Spider-Man movies and Ben 10 will probably convert more kids that Magic Pickle (which is too bad).
This book is a gas. Magic Pickle's creator's name is renowned scientist Dr. Jekyll Formaldehyde. The line "I feel like the smallest hot dog in the world's craziest microwave" appears in this book. It's bright, colorful, and wonderful (though does drag a bit when the kids rather than the superpowered veggies are the stars).

[Thurston Hunger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saw a blurb for this in the most recent installment (Book 9) of Jeff Smith's mighty "Bone" series, which the kids and I thoroughly enjoyed. So based on that Scholastic connection, I grabbed this.

The kids liked this better than I did, which is weird since much of its humor relies on word-play that I didn't think would appeal much to them. Maybe it is just the drawing of the pickle (which, like the Bone creatures, is kind of cute and weird...and indeed in this edition, it showed the kids how to draw one themselves which they did immediately). I'm too tired to add in my own puns to go with this, it was a quick read, and this version is a graphic novel. Just make sure to read Bone first.

[sweet pea · Rating 3 out of 5]

i couldn't pass up a story about a pickle patriot! and weapon kosher is rad. but much like in jem, the evil group all have better names. instead of the misfits, the brotherhood of evil produce is a gang of art thief thugs. there's even an evil pea, peashooter, which makes me happy. although, my sometimes moniker evil pod boy is a better name. the drawings are wicked. the story fast-paced. the characters keen. the puns fly fast and heavy. but, the story leaves me unsatisfied. everything is resolved. and yet there's no depth. not that one should expect such things from a graphic novel about a magic pickle. but i, of course, do.

[Waldmar1000 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so you first read this book and your like: "What a retarded title!" Well, it is, but that doesn't been it is a bad book. The Magic Pickle follows Jojo, as she finds that a secret angent PICKLE is under her bedroom. She then joins this pickle in his quest to protect world from evil produce.
I enjoy this book quite a bit. For one thing, the art is an amazing masterpiece. Plus, this book is actually funny. The imiagination this book has is also great. It's also entertaining to watch pickles fight vegetables.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Due to a mistake in the laboratory Dr. Jekyll Formaldehyde created a superhero out of pickle. When he attempted to create other vegetable superheroes something went wrong and they turned rotten instead. The pickle crosses paths with preteen Jo Jo who wants to be his partner. A silly comic in which food fight takes on literal meaning. Recommended for middle grade readers both boys and girls. The thing that most impressed me about this book was Jo Jo's confidence to stand up to her bully. I think Lunch Lady fans would like this series and vice versa.

[Bruno Tojeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book I read is The Magic Pickle, by Scott Morse. What I enjoyed about the book was the comedy included by the author, which made me laugh every time I read it. This book is about a magic pickle, who is actually a secret agent. His mission is to stop the evil produce from conquering the world. Yet, on his way towards the sewers, he meets this girl by busting in her bedroom. She is very small and somewhat very curious. Therefore, she begins asking him various questions which appear to be “classified.”

[Quasar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gets a 3 in the graphic novel genre: sometimes it's not that easy to understand what's going on based on the images, and the social responsibility level is low. However, what bumps it up to 4 stars are the puns.

Oh, the puns.

Wordplay is one of my favorite things, and this graphic novel does as much of it as one could possibly wish for. I would put this one up there with Captain Underpants, though the humor is more mature and there have so far been no wedgies. I want to read the rest!

Recommended to ages 8-12.