Fearless: A Graphic Novel

by Kenny Porter, Zach Wilcox (Illustrator)

Fearless is a touching graphic novel about growing up, accepting change, and finding a way to be happy when you miss your best friend. Kara hoped to spend the summer re-enacting episodes of her favorite TV show, Shinpi Rider , with her best friend Alice. But when Alice moves to a new home two towns over, everything changes. Alice mysteriously stops answering Kara's phone calls and letters.In order to reignite their friendship, Kara hatches a brave plan to bike over to Alice's new school all on her own. After all, "A rider never leaves a friend behind!" Kara's bravery on the journey proves how strong she is but when Kara finally finds Alice, her bravado Alice has found new friends and has left Kara behind. Can Kara be fearless when she feels so alone?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Comics, Adventure, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile

192 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[Mat Groom · Rating 5 out of 5]

FEARLESS is so charming! I was deeply impressed by how it didn't shy away from the messiness and difficulty of acknowledging your own flaws, and adjusting to change.

The tokusatsu-inspired superhero elements are a perfect way to draw larger-than-life parallels to the themes of the story, and it's all anchored by a truly (sometimes painfully!) authentic friendship.

If you know of a younger reader who has a passion for superheroes, but might also be down for a genuine and sweet story of being brave in the face of life changes... absolutely get them FEARLESS!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edelweiss+ provided me a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A geeky, adorable look at how friendships (and people) change from elementary to middle school and how kids deal with that struggle in different ways.

When Kara's best friend Alice has to move away, Kara is heartbroken. Who will she share her love of the show Shinpi Rider now? When a plan to rider her bike to Kara's new school goes horribly awry, Kara discovers that Alice has changed in ways that she wasn't expecting.

Kara and Alice's friendship is a great example of how kids grow in different ways and at different paces--some 6th graders are still playing with dolls while others are ready for cell phones, lip gloss, and gossip. It's hard for those friends to find common ground sometimes, and that's exactly the journey Kara must take.

The illustrations are fantastic and include cool Shinpi Rider frames along side Kara's story.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the illustrations of this graphic novel, the story not so much. The fact best friends are growing apart is fine, it was what one girl did afterwards that was unbelievable. How did she go the whole story without ONE adult thinking it was odd she was by herself? Okay, the kids can think she is homeschooled, or her school doesn't start that day, but why does not one adult question that? On top of that, the ending was rushed and one character's casual, "Oh I just meet you because I picked up your runaway daughter, but btw will you watch my kid brother?" was less than confidence building. My real score is more 2.5 but I say 3 as the illustrations are, as I said, likeable and interesting. The colors and details are stereotypical graphics novel for middle grade readers.

[Jacob Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The jaw-dropping and edge-of-your-seat action is bound to come to those who read Kenny Porter and Zach Wilcox’s Fearless. Kara is willing and ready to tear up the neighborhood with her best friend, Alice, however she finds out that she has moved two towns over, and her plans change. What can she do? Phone calls do not work, and she is not hearing back from Alice fast enough. She has it! Kara will go on her own adventure and bike to Alice’s new school to reunite with her best friend once again. In this colorful and fast-paced graphic novel, we find that itch for adventure and cannot help but call our own best friend over for each exciting installment. Will Kara finally get to complete her adventures with Alice?

I am not going to lie when I say this book is NOTHING like it seems. My students will definitely be taken by surprise with the colorful illustrations and wacky antics that actually play secondary to the very deep discussions of moving on, loss, friendship, and learning to let go. These are not easy to be able to convince a young audience effectively and appropriately, but this graphic novel serves as an example of how powerful the medium can be with connecting to the heart and soul of issues many of us are too scared to take. Kara is fearless so we need to learn to be that way too.

[Darcy Roar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fearless is quick little graphic novel about friendship, growing up, and accepting change. While I do really like the messages about friendship (you need to listen to people, no one owes you their friendship, things change but that's not all bad, etc.) I found some of the art choices to be a wee bit distracting. It's not the style itself (which is adorable) but rather the portrayed ages. Basically I couldn't tell how old any of the non-adult characters are at any given time, even when characters that I assume are very young were portrayed. While this isn't so much a problem for me, an adult reader, I would be leery to put this in a middle schoolers hand for fear they would reject it out of hand (I'm not sure about ya'll, but I find middle schoolers especially really do not want to be considered kids). That aside, this is an excellent and fun read, perfect for pre-tween's in your life!

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kara, a new sixth grader, learns that her friend, Alice is moving away. Alice promises to write letters but she doesn't . Kara embarks on a mission to find what happened to her. Along the way she makes new friends and learns new values.

The engaging plot revolves around the fact that everybody is different. One cannot enforce anybody to do as one says. One needs to accept and respect everybody's choices ; appreciate them if the choices turn out to be beneficial for them and support them if they don't. The plot also highlights the ups and downs that occur in a friendship.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The transition between elementary school and middle school is a tough one, and many friendships don't survive it. Kara's situation is made worse when her best friend moves 2 towns away and stops writing to her. This is a great road trip adventure story as she rides her bike to see her friend, stopping to rescue various people on the way. She is brave in one way, but can she face the scary middle school after it ends? Facing change like that takes a different kind of bravery. I liked how she is kind and demonstrates strong leadership, but also can be overbearing.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute take on the "best friend growing up and growing apart" trope, and done quite well. The story was interesting and the artwork adorable, though it read a little younger than most of the other middle grade graphic novels I've read. Still, I liked Kara's positive attitude and all the friends she made and people she helped on her journey, even if I could totally see Alice's point of view haha.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fearless is a really relatable story that I think speaks to a lot of childhood friendships and worries. I love that the main character is a heroine, and the way she and her best friend have bonded over pop culture. Every character is thought out and special - and the art is fantastic. My 6 year old also loved is, and it was the first long form book he's read all the way through - and he read it 3 times already.

Definitely would recommend.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a possibility for a 4th grade Gals/Guys Read program. Even though the main character is going into middle school, I think it would actually suit a slightly younger audience. It's a nice adventure/friendship story with some good lessons. The art is bright and attractive, and altogether this is a perfectly pleasant, but not terribly memorable book.

[D.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable artwork and a GREAT message for kids to learn about moving on and being considerate of your friends. while I’m glad Kara and Alice were able to make up, it’s also great to acknowledge some friendships end, and that’s okay. You can always make new ones.

4.5

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel follows Kara as she deals with something we all do: change. It’s a fun story for all ages that’s well-written and beautifully illustrated.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, relatable story that will speak to many elementary schoolers looking ahead to middle school.

[Lukas Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good graphic novel about changing as you grow up and what happens when you don't.

[Aurora]

72 pages in. Too cringe to keep reading.

[Quinieshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so good I think if you have a hard time changing this book may be for u

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read for 3rd-6th grade about growing up and friendship.

[Head-In-The-Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good graphic novel. It was short and funny. But also relatable for anyone who has lost a friend due to moving, or really any reason.

[Lucy’s reading corner (bring coffee) · Rating 1 out of 5]

dry...not very interesting

[Eliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fearless
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.85/10 overall

Characters - 7

Atmosphere - 7

Writing - 7

Plot - 6

Intrigue - 8

Logic - 7

Enjoyment - 6

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very cute and the main lesson is one I'd rather not learn.

[Bookw22 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5✩
It was cute

[Alise & Romy W. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not my favorite. - Romy, age 8

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute story, yet it was also a bit of a heavy story. At the heart of this book, it is about friendship and how to be a good friend. While I think when I was younger I would erroneously thought I was Alice, older me knows that I am like Kara, except I wouldn't go tearing off on my bike to face my friend. I would like to think I am better now then I was, but isn't that life? As we get older, we wear down our flaws and polish up our good parts while trying not to gain new flaws or have the old flaws change shape. I also like the part about change that even older me needs to hear every now and again.

On a separate note, I would like to know if the authors are fans of Kamen Rider. Shinpi Rider seems to be based on that show. First, the names are similar. Second, the outfits have similar characteristics: the eyes and the wing things on the helmet.

Verdict: This was pretty good.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun energy and illustrations, but Kara made a lot of reckless choices that were more thoughtless than fearless. 2.5 stars rounded up for the art.