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Masks: A Graphic Novel
Poe, Rice, and Shelley are three monster kids who hide from the outside world. But when they learn about “Halloween,” they realize it’s their one night of the year where they can be their true selves—scales and all. This quirky, heartwarming (or should we say, heart-worm-ing?) graphic novel is perfect for fans of Nimona and Sheets.
Poe was only a little monster when the hunters came for her parents. If it weren’t for one of the hunters taking pity on her, she knows she’d have met the same fate, too.
Ten years later, Poe lives with her two “siblings”—more monster kids in hiding—Rice and Shelley. Under her protective eye, Poe makes sure that the siblings have everything they need, but Rice and Shelley want more out of life than running away. So when their most recent home is slated to be demolished by a real estate group, the monster kids venture out to find their place, and end up getting whisked away to a Halloween party that changes their lives.
Debut creator Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson (author of The Many Deaths of Barnaby James) are experts in the spooky, haunting craft. They’ve woven a story full of heart, humor, and hope—one that examines the masks in which we all live. With quirky, stunning illustrations by Beck Kubrick ("Sylvia Plath meets Peanuts") and colorist Tom Philipson, Masks is the quintessential graphic novel about accepting who you are, masks and all.
Perfect for fans of ND Stevenson’s Nimona, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets, with kid-friendly elements of The Witcher and a little bit of Peter Pan.
Poe was only a little monster when the hunters came for her parents. If it weren’t for one of the hunters taking pity on her, she knows she’d have met the same fate, too.
Ten years later, Poe lives with her two “siblings”—more monster kids in hiding—Rice and Shelley. Under her protective eye, Poe makes sure that the siblings have everything they need, but Rice and Shelley want more out of life than running away. So when their most recent home is slated to be demolished by a real estate group, the monster kids venture out to find their place, and end up getting whisked away to a Halloween party that changes their lives.
Debut creator Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson (author of The Many Deaths of Barnaby James) are experts in the spooky, haunting craft. They’ve woven a story full of heart, humor, and hope—one that examines the masks in which we all live. With quirky, stunning illustrations by Beck Kubrick ("Sylvia Plath meets Peanuts") and colorist Tom Philipson, Masks is the quintessential graphic novel about accepting who you are, masks and all.
Perfect for fans of ND Stevenson’s Nimona, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets, with kid-friendly elements of The Witcher and a little bit of Peter Pan.
240 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2025
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178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 16, 2025
the perfect graphic novel for spooky season about embracing differences and being kind to others; the art style was super cute!
September 12, 2025
I actually read this book a couple of days ago, but never bothered to review it because I had so little to say about it. That is probably the most damning critique of this graphic novel I can give.
The art is gorgeous, and earns the two stars I gave it. But the story is just... nothing. It's not offensive or anything. It's just kind of nothing. The vagueness of the world building would be acceptable in picture book for toddlers, but I don't think it flies in a middle grade setting.
The art is gorgeous, and earns the two stars I gave it. But the story is just... nothing. It's not offensive or anything. It's just kind of nothing. The vagueness of the world building would be acceptable in picture book for toddlers, but I don't think it flies in a middle grade setting.
October 7, 2025
This was soooo good. Such good symbolism for any kind of prejudice and how those in power and the ones we are taught to trust are usually the perpetrators of that violence. Such a good message about found family and community too! Perfect Halloween read.
September 29, 2025
Five stars is not enough for this perfect, amazing, wonderful story. While reading to my kids, I felt them start to snuggle in closer, and then closer still. Both my boys had tears dripping down their faces in some moments, fear coursing through their veins when the bad guys came on the scene, and wet cheeks again when everything ended for the better. I borrowed this from the library but it is currently in my online shopping cart because this is a book that should be on all shelves.
November 21, 2025
4 out of 5 stars!!!
A simple and sweet story, but touches on some very real and important subjects in a very approachable way for young kids. How trauma informs how we interact with the world, how bigotry and hatred are cowardly and embarrassing things that only do harm, how you are almost guaranteed to find genuine solidarity in LGBTQIA advocacy groups because the intersection with every single marginalized group is present there.
For a debut, this was a really lovely and charming read! I hope every kid is able to find their haven, and that we can actually continue to do the work to provide those havens.
A simple and sweet story, but touches on some very real and important subjects in a very approachable way for young kids. How trauma informs how we interact with the world, how bigotry and hatred are cowardly and embarrassing things that only do harm, how you are almost guaranteed to find genuine solidarity in LGBTQIA advocacy groups because the intersection with every single marginalized group is present there.
For a debut, this was a really lovely and charming read! I hope every kid is able to find their haven, and that we can actually continue to do the work to provide those havens.
August 7, 2025
4.5 stars
What a cute novel! If you love spooky vibes (and an Over the Garden Wall cameo), this book is the perfect light-hearted read!
What a cute novel! If you love spooky vibes (and an Over the Garden Wall cameo), this book is the perfect light-hearted read!
October 30, 2025
So that was the Klan, right? Like that's what you were going for? OK.
October 25, 2025
Art was okay, but found the message to be muddled, lacking, and very, *very* naive. (Modeling the Knights off the KKK then having one of the only named members be a black dude was...a choice. Having the entire crux of this story hinge on: "If you get people on camera doing bad stuff then post it on social media, everyone will shame them and all will be well!" Ah, yes, because the groupthink that is social media is the true arbiter of capital jay Justice! Having that as the CORE message for a middle grade/YA comic for a generation that's already deeply traumatized and "brainrotted" by plague lockdowns and the panopticon of social media is wild.)
October 8, 2025
With a bit of monsterly fun, these pages take a look at not fitting in and finding friendships...and sometimes, family.
Monster hunters wiped out Poe's entire family ten years before, but thanks to a kind-hearted monster hunter, she escaped. Now, she lives with two other monsters, which she took in and protects. They survive by hiding and scavenging for what they need. So far, all's gone well, but the place they've been calling home is about to be destroyed. One of the monsters wants to head out and search for a rumored monster haven, but Poe isn't so sure since there's no real proof it exists. When she learns of Halloween, she decides to use the holiday as a chance not only for them to finally head out into the human world and have fun but to find a new home. But things never are as simple as they appear.
This is an enjoyable, straight-forward tale with characters to enjoy. Poe is kind but uncertain thanks to her past, and that is something readers will easily sympathize with. It's also no problem to understand the desire to search for the Haven, since the three are living isolated, in danger, and in uncertainty. Add the evil, monster hunters, and it's no problem to root for Poe and understand what difficulties she faces. The pacing is steady, while the atmosphere sits in a more serious tone as Poe and the others try to find their place in the world. I'd suggest it more for the lower end of the middle grade audience due to the simpler plot and a few unexplained background tidbits (for example: it's not clear why they didn't know about Halloween before).
The messaging is also straight-forward as it circles around the monsters' problems with the hunters and not being accepted by humans. Then, there's Poe's human friend, who is also bullied. Poe and her friends learn about friendship, finding family, and that kindness can be found no matter what the appearance or race.
The illustrations are well done and bring each moment across nicely. The text also fits the age group well enough. It's a quick read with much to enjoy.
Monster hunters wiped out Poe's entire family ten years before, but thanks to a kind-hearted monster hunter, she escaped. Now, she lives with two other monsters, which she took in and protects. They survive by hiding and scavenging for what they need. So far, all's gone well, but the place they've been calling home is about to be destroyed. One of the monsters wants to head out and search for a rumored monster haven, but Poe isn't so sure since there's no real proof it exists. When she learns of Halloween, she decides to use the holiday as a chance not only for them to finally head out into the human world and have fun but to find a new home. But things never are as simple as they appear.
This is an enjoyable, straight-forward tale with characters to enjoy. Poe is kind but uncertain thanks to her past, and that is something readers will easily sympathize with. It's also no problem to understand the desire to search for the Haven, since the three are living isolated, in danger, and in uncertainty. Add the evil, monster hunters, and it's no problem to root for Poe and understand what difficulties she faces. The pacing is steady, while the atmosphere sits in a more serious tone as Poe and the others try to find their place in the world. I'd suggest it more for the lower end of the middle grade audience due to the simpler plot and a few unexplained background tidbits (for example: it's not clear why they didn't know about Halloween before).
The messaging is also straight-forward as it circles around the monsters' problems with the hunters and not being accepted by humans. Then, there's Poe's human friend, who is also bullied. Poe and her friends learn about friendship, finding family, and that kindness can be found no matter what the appearance or race.
The illustrations are well done and bring each moment across nicely. The text also fits the age group well enough. It's a quick read with much to enjoy.
May 26, 2025
Written by a debut author/California physician and a second time graphic novel author, MASKS is about monsters, but not the scary kind. These monsters are just trying to find friends, family and a safe place to call home but a group called the Knights of the Night are bent on eradicating them in the name of safety for humans. Poe was spared as a child when this vigilante group stormed the building where she was hiding and has spent the last 10 years looking for a fellow monster friend who taught her how to stay hidden and find what is needed to survive but disappeared when she was much younger. In the years she has been searching, two other young monsters have joined her and formed a kind of family, but soon the abandoned they call home will be destroyed and Halloween night seems the safest time to go in search of a place called Haven, a supposed sanctuary for monsters. Along the way, the trio finds a human boy in search of friends who accept and appreciate him and all he is and Poe reunites with the former Knight who let her live 10 years ago.
Most 4th-7th grade readers will read this as simply a monster story where the bad guys are the humans and that is true. But along with the fun (and irony) of that simplistic view are the deeper messages of finding your people and loving the family you are in, even if you aren’t really related by blood.
Text is free of profanity and sexual content. Violence is alluded to and almost happens at times and several kids take Halloween pranks too far and vandalize personal property. Libraries of the target age range should consider this one if their book budget is healthy and they can’t keep graphic novels on their shelves.
Thanks for the print arc, Andrews McMeel.
Most 4th-7th grade readers will read this as simply a monster story where the bad guys are the humans and that is true. But along with the fun (and irony) of that simplistic view are the deeper messages of finding your people and loving the family you are in, even if you aren’t really related by blood.
Text is free of profanity and sexual content. Violence is alluded to and almost happens at times and several kids take Halloween pranks too far and vandalize personal property. Libraries of the target age range should consider this one if their book budget is healthy and they can’t keep graphic novels on their shelves.
Thanks for the print arc, Andrews McMeel.
November 27, 2025
Poe, Shelley, and Rice are young monsters trying to survive in a society that fears and persecutes their kind, targeted by a group called the “Knights of the Night”, a vigilante force that mirrors ICE as it carries out raids and abductions. After barely escaping a raid as a child (with the help of a Knight), Poe has grown up in fear: constantly moving and hiding, deeply distrustful of humans. Shelley and Rice, who Poe cares about and lives with, haven’t been personally victimized by the Knights, so they are more willing to explore the human world and push boundaries. After meeting a human boy, Vaugh, at the library, Poe is invited to a Halloween party. She realizes that Halloween is the monsters’ opportunity to travel outside to search for the safe space she’s been told about, without standing out. I enjoyed the sense of community between Poe, Shelley, and Rice; they love and support each other, but they don’t agree on everything. It was creative and wonderful that the safe space Poe had been searching for wound up being a queer club. The illustrations hint that Stoker, a monster that Poe knew when she was young, was non-binary, but characters weren’t explicitly named as queer. Vaughn and his family were Black and there was racial diversity amongst background characters throughout the book.
The artwork reminded me of the animated show Adventure Time, in that it’s cartoony but filled with personality! The terrific illustrations were well-shaded and often boldly outlined, which made the characters pop off the page. The panels were easy to follow and flowed well. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
The artwork reminded me of the animated show Adventure Time, in that it’s cartoony but filled with personality! The terrific illustrations were well-shaded and often boldly outlined, which made the characters pop off the page. The panels were easy to follow and flowed well. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
September 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
Masks pulls off something pretty special — it’s charming and spooky in all the right doses, with a heartwarming core that makes you root for its monsters. Poe, Rice, and Shelley are sweet, flawed, and brave in ways that feel honest. Their found-family dynamic carries a lot of weight, especially when their home is under threat and they’re forced to move through a world that mostly wants them hidden.
One of the strongest parts is how it handles the theme of identity. Halloween becomes more than just a holiday — it’s a mask, a moment, a chance to be seen. And that premise works well, especially juxtaposed with the fear of exposure from monsters hunters and a society that wouldn’t understand.
The artwork is lovely — muted colors, loose linework, expressive faces — it fits the story’s mood perfectly. Some scenes feel like they could have been paced a hair tighter, though; occasionally the plot lags or seems to wander. But the tension returns quickly, and the emotional stakes make the slower moments meaningful.
If I could change one thing, I’d want even more world-building: more about how the monsters live day to day, what their fears look like outside of hiding, more side characters with their own arcs. Still, as a debut (for Rae), this is really impressive.
Overall, Masks is a touching graphic novel full of courage, belonging, and self-acceptance. Strongly recommended for middle grade readers (and older) who enjoy monster tales that aren’t just about the scares, but about what it means to wear a mask — and when you choose to take it off.
Masks pulls off something pretty special — it’s charming and spooky in all the right doses, with a heartwarming core that makes you root for its monsters. Poe, Rice, and Shelley are sweet, flawed, and brave in ways that feel honest. Their found-family dynamic carries a lot of weight, especially when their home is under threat and they’re forced to move through a world that mostly wants them hidden.
One of the strongest parts is how it handles the theme of identity. Halloween becomes more than just a holiday — it’s a mask, a moment, a chance to be seen. And that premise works well, especially juxtaposed with the fear of exposure from monsters hunters and a society that wouldn’t understand.
The artwork is lovely — muted colors, loose linework, expressive faces — it fits the story’s mood perfectly. Some scenes feel like they could have been paced a hair tighter, though; occasionally the plot lags or seems to wander. But the tension returns quickly, and the emotional stakes make the slower moments meaningful.
If I could change one thing, I’d want even more world-building: more about how the monsters live day to day, what their fears look like outside of hiding, more side characters with their own arcs. Still, as a debut (for Rae), this is really impressive.
Overall, Masks is a touching graphic novel full of courage, belonging, and self-acceptance. Strongly recommended for middle grade readers (and older) who enjoy monster tales that aren’t just about the scares, but about what it means to wear a mask — and when you choose to take it off.
November 11, 2025
In this graphic novel, monsters live among humans, but have to hide. There are the Knights of the Night that want to destroy all monsters. Poe, a pre-teen green monster, learned early from an adult monter, Stoker, how to hide, find food and items, and stay hidden. When he disappeared, Poe escapes the Knights and finds Rice, a blue skinned mosnter, and Shelly, with pink skin and fangs, and makes a home with them in an abandoned house. Then, they must flee to try to find Haven, a secret hiding place where monsters are safe, on Halloween because their home is going to be torn down. The differences in the characters are clear - Poe is scared and worried all the time, Rice wants to experience life, and Shelly, being 6, wants to eat everything, including stop signs. They make a human friend, Vaughn, who is detemined to help them find what they are looking for. All the characters - monsters and humans - are diverse, not only in their looks but their personalities and emotions which are seen clearly in the graphics. The monster metaphor is just about being other - marginalized people, being different and not accepted, and the Knights show what hate can do to people and how they can get drawn in to hate even more. A wonderful graphic novel I'll be using for a graphic novel book club for my tweens.
April 4, 2025
In a world where monsters exist and humans believe they're evil, a group of humans has been systematically wiping out any and all monsters they find. Poe's family was killed, but one of the humans saw her and left her alone. She has learned to take care of herself, and how to take care of other younger monsters.
They realize that their home is going to be destroyed so they set out on Halloween night to have an adventure, find Poe's former guardian Stoker, and find a new place to live.
Along the way they meet up with a human boy who is bullied because of his geekiness, and he wants to help. When one of Poe's friends is captured by the police, they realize that it's time to fight back and stop hiding.
A fun middle-grade graphic novel about accepting who you are and finding those that will support it. Also, maybe be nicer to the geeky kid at school so he doesn't take your parents down.
Copy provided by Edelweiss and the publisher.
They realize that their home is going to be destroyed so they set out on Halloween night to have an adventure, find Poe's former guardian Stoker, and find a new place to live.
Along the way they meet up with a human boy who is bullied because of his geekiness, and he wants to help. When one of Poe's friends is captured by the police, they realize that it's time to fight back and stop hiding.
A fun middle-grade graphic novel about accepting who you are and finding those that will support it. Also, maybe be nicer to the geeky kid at school so he doesn't take your parents down.
Copy provided by Edelweiss and the publisher.
August 25, 2025
A fine book for younger readers. It's about some monster kids who are being hunted by basically a version of the klan but for monsters. These three monster kids live in an abandoned building on the outskirts of society. On Halloween, they venture out to find Haven, a mythical safe place for monster kind. For some reason, these kids know nothing about Halloween even though it's the one day they could walk around without hiding themselves. The other thing I thought was odd is that the main character has horns but never tries to hide them with a beanie even though the boy in the group wears a beanie nonstop. It would be a lot easier to walk around undetected without those horns sticking up.
October 1, 2025
👦🏻 review: Halloween is few weeks away and when I was younger, my mom would be busy looking for my costumes. Now that I am middle-grader, garbing and working on the perfect outfit has passed my prime; thus reading books to the season worked out perfectly. This colorful and awesome illustration is absolutely perfect. It has monsters, the spooky and realistic elements of the book gave this graphic novel a unique feel to the story. I personally thought the story itself is amazingly done.
October 25, 2025
Monsters are real and they are being hunted. The Knights of the Night will protect you by getting rid of all those monsters.
Poe is technically a monster, but all she wants to do is survive while taking care of her Lil found family of Rice and Shelley, who are also monsters who are trying to survive.
Who are the real monsters here kids trying to survive this big wide world or the adults hunting them for sport?
Poe is technically a monster, but all she wants to do is survive while taking care of her Lil found family of Rice and Shelley, who are also monsters who are trying to survive.
Who are the real monsters here kids trying to survive this big wide world or the adults hunting them for sport?
March 12, 2025
This was really fantastic. The pacing was really nice and I liked all of the characters. The artwork was an interesting style. I thought it fit the story and the setting. I liked that the kids got to go out and find themselves on Halloween. That's one of my favorite holidays so I enjoyed all the costumes and decorations. Overall, a great debut! I look forward to reading more from this author.
August 25, 2025
There may come a time when I tire of the queerness as monstrosity allegory but that time is not now!
This has such great art and a sweet, accepting message. I also really appreciated that it showed an adult admitting that they made a mistake and changing their ways. That's SO important!!
This has such great art and a sweet, accepting message. I also really appreciated that it showed an adult admitting that they made a mistake and changing their ways. That's SO important!!
September 10, 2025
Masks
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 7.57/10 overall
Characters - 7
Atmosphere - 8
Writing - 8
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 8
Enjoyment - 8
Overall Thoughts:
A sweet graphic novel about being an outsider, perfect for the halloween season. :)
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 7.57/10 overall
Characters - 7
Atmosphere - 8
Writing - 8
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 8
Enjoyment - 8
Overall Thoughts:
A sweet graphic novel about being an outsider, perfect for the halloween season. :)
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September 27, 2025I feel like this graphic novel tried to cram too many allegories and themes into one book, especially a middle grade graphic novel. I do appreciate that it tries to talk about topics such as genocide, prejudice, gentrification, bullying, and so on and so forth, but overall it was a bit much.
October 21, 2025
3.5 stars
Cute lil Halloween story about found family and acceptance and standing up to hateful bullies. It’s a bit too soft and cozy to say anything deeply meaningful about those issues, but still a nice warm YA take on them.
Cute lil Halloween story about found family and acceptance and standing up to hateful bullies. It’s a bit too soft and cozy to say anything deeply meaningful about those issues, but still a nice warm YA take on them.
October 25, 2025
Cute, easily digestible graphic novel about monster children struggling to fit in amidst a world that seemingly no longer accepts them. Larger message of the book is about tolerance and the importance of community.
November 18, 2025
Cute, very halloween-y. I loved the illustrations (except for the fact that people wearing glasses often had one pupil showing and one not?? This was a pet peeve for me,) and the writing was fine. I'm older than the intended audience though, I think I would've loved this as an 8 - 10 year old.
July 23, 2025
3.5 stars
August 5, 2025
Masks was a great book full of friendship, family, and overcoming fears. Incredibly well written debut graphic novel. Will make a great gift for birthdays!
August 12, 2025
Solid graphic novel with lots of good themes in it. Full of heart and wit.
August 17, 2025
perfect read-a-like for Misfit Mansion!
August 20, 2025
very cute!!!! man i wish i had cool spooky queer books like this when i was growing up :,)
September 15, 2025
So wholesome and cute
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews