What do you think?
Rate this book
Lumberjackula
For fans of The Okay Witch and Fake Blood, this hilarious middle grade graphic novel follows a half-vampire, half-lumberjack boy who feels torn between his parents and just wants to be a dancer.Jack is in a pickle. His lumberjack mom wants him to go to Mighty Log Lumberjack Prep to learn how to chop wood and wear flannel. His vampire dad wants him to go to Sorrow’s Gloom Vampire School to learn how to turn into a bat and drink blood-orange juice. And Jack has a what he really wants to do is dance. When he finds out about Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy from new friend Plenty, Jack feels he’s finally found the place where he can be his true self. But he’s too afraid of disappointing his family to tell them. What’s a half-lumberjack, half-vampire boy to do? To summon the confidence to pursue his dreams, Jack will have to embrace every part of himself—his lumberjack toughness, his vampire eeriness, and most especially his awesome dance moves.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2022
3 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Mat Heagerty
12 books35 followersMat Heagerty lives in Vermont with his best buds/family. He’s dyslexic, and struggled a bunch in school, but now he writes rad comics like Martian Ghost Centaur, Unplugged and Unpopular, and Lumberjackula!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
November 29, 2022
"You don't belong anywhere until you dig yourself. Your real self. All of you. Plus, if you let someone down by being yourself, they probably aren't that cool."
Which you rather be? A Vampire or a Lumberjack? What happens when you get to be both?
I think I would rather be a vampire because you get to be mysterious, bite people, and drink blood. Sounds like the perfect life.
Lumberjackula was super cute. I love how it made everyone feel included and that people were very supportive of one another without casting judgment. The illustrations were adorable as well. I really enjoyed this one.
Just remember to always be yourself. Never stoop down to anyone's level to please them. You know who you are deep down inside and let that shine.
Which you rather be? A Vampire or a Lumberjack? What happens when you get to be both?
I think I would rather be a vampire because you get to be mysterious, bite people, and drink blood. Sounds like the perfect life.
Lumberjackula was super cute. I love how it made everyone feel included and that people were very supportive of one another without casting judgment. The illustrations were adorable as well. I really enjoyed this one.
Just remember to always be yourself. Never stoop down to anyone's level to please them. You know who you are deep down inside and let that shine.
May 17, 2022
An absolutely delightful story about a half-vampire, half-lumberjack young person who has to make a bit choice about what to do next in life. Will he follow in the footsteps of his vampire father? Or will he become an entrepreneur like his lumberjack mother? Or will he learn to follow his heart and passions to figure out what HE wants?
Wonderful art, a sweet story, and wholesome themes and messages throughout that will resonate with young people everywhere!
Wonderful art, a sweet story, and wholesome themes and messages throughout that will resonate with young people everywhere!
September 25, 2022
On the surface, this graphic novel looks absolutely goofy and off the wall. It's art style, which looks to be heavily influenced by shows like "Adventure Time" and "Steven Universe," does little to dispel this notion. But being silly and cute actually works in its favor... and doesn't detract from it having an uplifting message about doing what you love, and how difficult it can be coming from a diverse family.
Jack is the son of a vampire and a lumberjack, and is expected to go to either Sorrow's Gloom Vampire School or Mighty Log Lumberjack Prep once he's done with elementary school. While both his parents are supportive of whatever choice he makes, he's terrified of disappointing either of them and can't make up his mind. But when he meets Plenty, a fairy girl with a love of dance, he realizes he wants to follow his passion for dance and attend Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy instead! But he's terrified that doing so will disappoint BOTH his parents... so can he keep his attendance at the dance academy a secret?
The artwork in this series is bright and colorful, and highly reminiscent of animated series such as "Adventure Time," "Gravity Falls," and "Stephen Universe" while still having its own unique style. The character designs are varied and unique, and there's some fun details to be had in the background if you look closely (such as a poster advertising the author's graphic novel Unplugged and Unpopular hanging in the library). And despite featuring vampires, werewolves, and other monsters, there's little that will scare kids -- the book even makes fun of the drama that tends to be associated with vampires in most media.
The story itself is slightly predictable but fun, full of humor and great characters and some truly emotional moments. Jack is a sweet character, and kids who come from mixed-race or mixed-culture families will identify with his quest to try to be himself but also embrace both sides of his heritage. I do like that his parents are supportive of him instead of trying to lure him to one side or the other, and his grandparents are called out for trying to pressure him. (Also the mana-teen is one of my favorite minor characters and I'd love to see him get a spinoff comic, haha...)
Adorable and fun, "Lumberjackula" is a delightful read for kids and adults alike. It's bright and colorful and has a strong message about self-acceptance, something kids of any age and background could use some help with.
Jack is the son of a vampire and a lumberjack, and is expected to go to either Sorrow's Gloom Vampire School or Mighty Log Lumberjack Prep once he's done with elementary school. While both his parents are supportive of whatever choice he makes, he's terrified of disappointing either of them and can't make up his mind. But when he meets Plenty, a fairy girl with a love of dance, he realizes he wants to follow his passion for dance and attend Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy instead! But he's terrified that doing so will disappoint BOTH his parents... so can he keep his attendance at the dance academy a secret?
The artwork in this series is bright and colorful, and highly reminiscent of animated series such as "Adventure Time," "Gravity Falls," and "Stephen Universe" while still having its own unique style. The character designs are varied and unique, and there's some fun details to be had in the background if you look closely (such as a poster advertising the author's graphic novel Unplugged and Unpopular hanging in the library). And despite featuring vampires, werewolves, and other monsters, there's little that will scare kids -- the book even makes fun of the drama that tends to be associated with vampires in most media.
The story itself is slightly predictable but fun, full of humor and great characters and some truly emotional moments. Jack is a sweet character, and kids who come from mixed-race or mixed-culture families will identify with his quest to try to be himself but also embrace both sides of his heritage. I do like that his parents are supportive of him instead of trying to lure him to one side or the other, and his grandparents are called out for trying to pressure him. (Also the mana-teen is one of my favorite minor characters and I'd love to see him get a spinoff comic, haha...)
Adorable and fun, "Lumberjackula" is a delightful read for kids and adults alike. It's bright and colorful and has a strong message about self-acceptance, something kids of any age and background could use some help with.
July 28, 2022
Absolutely, positively a new favorite middle grade graphic novel. So lovely and fun!
January 22, 2024
“You won’t belong anywhere until you dig yourself. Your real self. All of you.”
August 1, 2022
Such a cute, bright, vivid art that fully tells the wonderful story about loving all actors of yourself, especially when those things seem to contradict each other. A stand up and cheer graphic novel with so many incredible puns and a super rootable, believable, loveable main character. I hope we get more Jack!!!
October 6, 2023
This was... okay.
I liked the name, and I grabbed it with a stack of other Graphic Novels to help get out of a reading slump, but this didn't help much.
The art was cute, but I wasn't invested in any true part of the story aside from the term "Lumberjackula" which I just thought was a funny play on both words.
I liked the name, and I grabbed it with a stack of other Graphic Novels to help get out of a reading slump, but this didn't help much.
The art was cute, but I wasn't invested in any true part of the story aside from the term "Lumberjackula" which I just thought was a funny play on both words.
October 12, 2024
4⭐️
An adorable story about being yourself in a world that wants you to choose one side or the other. This would be a super useful allegory for kids learning about what it means to be multicultural, multiracial, etc.
Quality of the message? 5 stars!
Quality of the art? 5 stars!
Complexity/quality of the story? 4 stars!
An adorable story about being yourself in a world that wants you to choose one side or the other. This would be a super useful allegory for kids learning about what it means to be multicultural, multiracial, etc.
Quality of the message? 5 stars!
Quality of the art? 5 stars!
Complexity/quality of the story? 4 stars!
November 1, 2022
This was such a cute graphic novel and i loved that it both had halloween elements and also the elements of finding yourself and choosing where you belong and making choices about your future it also had an adorble art style that just made me smile!! This was a pefect early fall read between the halloween style charactrers and also the back to school elements!
July 26, 2022
A world of only vampires and lumberjacks? Come on! I love it. Goofy and sweet and perfect for the young middle grade reader!
Read
August 3, 2022This book is so cute. It's about finding your way in the world and being true to who you are whether it's the same as your heritage or not. Friendship helps Jack a lot in this story, helps him Plenty, you could say. It's a very sweet story about identity.
August 10, 2022
So cute!! I would definitely read more about these characters.
Read
September 12, 2022Don't mind me, just giggling to myself about the scene where Jack's dad performs with his band.
August 28, 2023
FIRST OFF LUMBERJACK MOM AND MAGICAL VAMPIRE DAD. I am in love with this so much.
January 28, 2025
Okay this was adorable 🥹
July 19, 2022
Lumberjackula is a beautifully illustrated book. This balanced with the entertaining, humorous and wholesome writing does the nearly impossible feat of getting young children to turn off the digital entertainment and read.
July 7, 2022
Adorable story with lovable characters and a strong message, that's very clear and concise - elevated by the artwork, which is crisp, clean, and has some extraordinarily fun character designs and layouts to portray music and dancing. Highly recommend.
June 15, 2022
I could not have loved this sweet story more. I loved the colorful, vivid illustrations, and the hilarious premise. The cute little lumberjack/vampire protagonist perfectly played out that feeling of being torn between two worlds, and also of wanting to please your parents but find your own way. Kids will eat this up. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.
March 2, 2022
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this juvenile graphic novel in order to evaluate it for addition to my library's collection.
In this fantasy world, Jack is the son of a Lumberjack mom and a Vampire dad. Both parents would like him to go to their alma-maters. But Jack is not comfortable with either. After finding a dance school, Jack discovers that what he really wants is to dance. But Jack is afraid to upset his family. What will he do?
This book presents a dilemma that many young people may find themselves facing. Some kids will be able to identify with Jack. There are morals and learning opportunities here.
The art by Owen is cute and should appeal to kids.
Verdict: buy
In this fantasy world, Jack is the son of a Lumberjack mom and a Vampire dad. Both parents would like him to go to their alma-maters. But Jack is not comfortable with either. After finding a dance school, Jack discovers that what he really wants is to dance. But Jack is afraid to upset his family. What will he do?
This book presents a dilemma that many young people may find themselves facing. Some kids will be able to identify with Jack. There are morals and learning opportunities here.
The art by Owen is cute and should appeal to kids.
Verdict: buy
September 26, 2023
Jack can’t decide if he should be a lumberjack or a Dracula. What he really wants to be is a dancer.
Did you read what I just wrote? If you do- congrats. You just read the book. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people underestimate what a child can handle in plot and storytelling- and this is a perfect example. There was no imagination here. No intriguing plot. Reading the back gives you the same storyline. I read children’s books all the time- and even for me this was so boring. I wish I could get back the 30 minutes it took to read this.
Did you read what I just wrote? If you do- congrats. You just read the book. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people underestimate what a child can handle in plot and storytelling- and this is a perfect example. There was no imagination here. No intriguing plot. Reading the back gives you the same storyline. I read children’s books all the time- and even for me this was so boring. I wish I could get back the 30 minutes it took to read this.
May 21, 2022
A beautiful story about a boy unsure of which side of his heritage he wants to embrace. It's colorful, very funny, and just so sweet. Also, strong LGBTQ undertones. Delightful! I would love to read more stories with Jack and his friends.
May 30, 2022
This book is a delight! A wonderful graphic novel that addresses kids’ need to find their own path in this world, the importance of friendship, family, and ultimately acceptance. Charming.
November 7, 2022
ARC provided by Follett First Look; E ARC provided by the author
As Jack nears the age of twelve, he must leave his inclusice Under School and choose what secondary school her must attend. His forest communityis peopled by Vampires and Lumberjacks, who led very separate lives until the invention of Sun Scream allowed the vampires to venture out into the daylight. While the two groups generally get along, Jack feels pulled to both sides of his identity, especially since his grandparents on both sides chime in with older opinions, even though they get along. His father wants him to attend Sorrow’s Gloom Vampire School, and his mother wants him to go to Mighty Log Lumberjack Prep. He visits both, and gets along with the students, but neither seems quite right. A chance meeting with the enthusiastic Plenty when he is dancing in the woods leads him to sneak off to explore Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy on his own. He really enjoys the school, and lies to his family about his whereabouts, since he feels they won't understand this new venture at all. Jack wants to make his family happy, but realizes that he has to remain true to his own dreams. Will this be enough to encourage him to talk honestly with his family about where he wants to attend school?
Strengths: Lumber-Jackula had a definite classic comic book feel to it, if you're old enough to remember comic books like Harvey Comics' Richie Rich, or Dell Comics' Little Lulu. There was something about the illustration style, and the color conventions; the lumberjack world was predominately green and brown, the vampire world was rife with a blue-gray, and Twinle Toes was like being dropped into a bucket of paint chip colors that kindergarteners wanted to paint their classroom. Jack is an appealing character who is loved and supported by his extended family and wants to make them happy and proud. I loved that even though his town hadn't been integrated for very long, the vampires and lumberjacks coexisted peacefully. Jack's love of dance wasn't understood by his family, who wanted him to follow in one of their paths, but it was good to see him find his people at the dance academy. The conflict is gentle, but realistically portrayed, and a compromise is eventually found. This has a much more philosophical view of the current sociopolitical trends than many graphic novels, but also is a fun and sometimes silly romp.
Weaknesses: I would have liked a little more information about the variety of different creatures in the woods, especially the wide array of differt types at Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy who don't seem to show up much in the town Jack frequents. I also felt like this required a lot more deep, philosophical thought than I was giving it.
What I really think: Readers who enjoyed Steinke's Mr. Wolf's Class, Feuti's The King of Kazoo, Boothby's Sparks, or the bright colors and silliness of Kochalka's The Glorkian Warrior series will enjoy this innovative, inclusive look at finding one's own voice.
As Jack nears the age of twelve, he must leave his inclusice Under School and choose what secondary school her must attend. His forest communityis peopled by Vampires and Lumberjacks, who led very separate lives until the invention of Sun Scream allowed the vampires to venture out into the daylight. While the two groups generally get along, Jack feels pulled to both sides of his identity, especially since his grandparents on both sides chime in with older opinions, even though they get along. His father wants him to attend Sorrow’s Gloom Vampire School, and his mother wants him to go to Mighty Log Lumberjack Prep. He visits both, and gets along with the students, but neither seems quite right. A chance meeting with the enthusiastic Plenty when he is dancing in the woods leads him to sneak off to explore Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy on his own. He really enjoys the school, and lies to his family about his whereabouts, since he feels they won't understand this new venture at all. Jack wants to make his family happy, but realizes that he has to remain true to his own dreams. Will this be enough to encourage him to talk honestly with his family about where he wants to attend school?
Strengths: Lumber-Jackula had a definite classic comic book feel to it, if you're old enough to remember comic books like Harvey Comics' Richie Rich, or Dell Comics' Little Lulu. There was something about the illustration style, and the color conventions; the lumberjack world was predominately green and brown, the vampire world was rife with a blue-gray, and Twinle Toes was like being dropped into a bucket of paint chip colors that kindergarteners wanted to paint their classroom. Jack is an appealing character who is loved and supported by his extended family and wants to make them happy and proud. I loved that even though his town hadn't been integrated for very long, the vampires and lumberjacks coexisted peacefully. Jack's love of dance wasn't understood by his family, who wanted him to follow in one of their paths, but it was good to see him find his people at the dance academy. The conflict is gentle, but realistically portrayed, and a compromise is eventually found. This has a much more philosophical view of the current sociopolitical trends than many graphic novels, but also is a fun and sometimes silly romp.
Weaknesses: I would have liked a little more information about the variety of different creatures in the woods, especially the wide array of differt types at Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy who don't seem to show up much in the town Jack frequents. I also felt like this required a lot more deep, philosophical thought than I was giving it.
What I really think: Readers who enjoyed Steinke's Mr. Wolf's Class, Feuti's The King of Kazoo, Boothby's Sparks, or the bright colors and silliness of Kochalka's The Glorkian Warrior series will enjoy this innovative, inclusive look at finding one's own voice.
February 24, 2023
Jack is half vampire and half lumberjack. His dad is a vampire who works in a factory by day and is a musician at night (vampires don't need to sleep). And his mom is an amazing lumberjack. Jack is 11-1/2 which means it is time for him to move from elementary school into middle school. But he has to choose - will he go to the vampire school or the lumberjack school? His grandparents are a little pushy but his parents want him to choose what will make him happy. But what if neither one is a great fit for Jack? Because what Jack loves most of all is dancing! Fortunately, he bumps into someone who shares his love for dancing. She introduces him to a third option - a dance school. But Jack thinks his parents will be disappointed if he doesn't choose lumberjack or vampire school -- so he lies to pretty much everyone and keeps on dancing. What will happen when his lies catch up with him?
I liked this book a lot! I thought the concept of moving into middle school when you turned 11-1/2 was cool. And that you got to try out the new schools so you could make sure you were choosing the one that fit you the best. Jack's family is super supportive, even if they may not seem like it at first. Though even with all of that love and support, Jack still struggles with finding his place in the world and doing the things that he loves. He has obviously been teased at some point for being half vampire/ half lumberjack because he goes out of his way to hide his ears and fangs at the lumberjack school.
I also liked the invention of sun "scream" that allows the vampires to go out and about during the daytime - which is what makes his parents' marriage, and thus his own existence, possible.
A good reminder to everyone that being yourself and doing what you love and what makes you happy is important but it is not always as easy as it seems. Especially when you worry about disappointing people. Keep dancing, Jack!
I liked this book a lot! I thought the concept of moving into middle school when you turned 11-1/2 was cool. And that you got to try out the new schools so you could make sure you were choosing the one that fit you the best. Jack's family is super supportive, even if they may not seem like it at first. Though even with all of that love and support, Jack still struggles with finding his place in the world and doing the things that he loves. He has obviously been teased at some point for being half vampire/ half lumberjack because he goes out of his way to hide his ears and fangs at the lumberjack school.
I also liked the invention of sun "scream" that allows the vampires to go out and about during the daytime - which is what makes his parents' marriage, and thus his own existence, possible.
A good reminder to everyone that being yourself and doing what you love and what makes you happy is important but it is not always as easy as it seems. Especially when you worry about disappointing people. Keep dancing, Jack!
August 27, 2022
Lumberjackula, AKA Jack, is half-lumberjack and half-vampire. His mom wants him to go to Mighty Log Lumberjack Prep and his dad wants him to go to Sorrow’s Gloom Vampire School. However, Jack doesn’t feel like he fits in at either of those schools. What he really loves is to dance, so when he discovers Tip Tap Twinkle Toes Dance Academy, he knows it’s the right school for him. Jack doesn’t want to disappoint either of his families, though, so he pretends he still doesn’t know what school he wants to attend. Jack has to learn how to embrace all parts of his personality and be his true self.
This was such a fun graphic novel! Jack comes from two very different backgrounds, lumberjack and vampire. He didn’t really feel like he fit in completely with either group, but he didn’t want to let either of his parents down. I think this would be relatable for kids who come from more than one cultural background. Jack had to learn that he didn’t have to fit into either group, and he could follow his own path to become a dancer.
The illustrations in this graphic novel were vibrant and adorable. There were even some dances that Jack did to music that were mapped out. I really enjoyed reading this story!
Lumberjackula is an uplifting middle grade graphic novel about being true to yourself.
Thank you Mat Heagerty and Simon Kids for sending me a copy of this book!
This was such a fun graphic novel! Jack comes from two very different backgrounds, lumberjack and vampire. He didn’t really feel like he fit in completely with either group, but he didn’t want to let either of his parents down. I think this would be relatable for kids who come from more than one cultural background. Jack had to learn that he didn’t have to fit into either group, and he could follow his own path to become a dancer.
The illustrations in this graphic novel were vibrant and adorable. There were even some dances that Jack did to music that were mapped out. I really enjoyed reading this story!
Lumberjackula is an uplifting middle grade graphic novel about being true to yourself.
Thank you Mat Heagerty and Simon Kids for sending me a copy of this book!
September 6, 2022
There is something enticing about vampire stories for me. My favorite vampire stories are those where vampires learn to live in human society. At the beginning of this story, Jack struggles to find his place in the world as a human and a vampire. Will Jack follow in his father's footsteps and pursue being a vampire? Or will he be more like his mom and pursue being a lumberjack?
Jack's fear of disappointing his parents is one that many readers can relate to. In the end, Jack learns it's important to remain true to himself and be honest with his family. I found the book to be very positive and encouraging.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are bright and engaging. The dance graphics show how happy Jack is dancing, and I appreciate the way the movement is captured. The way Jack and his vampire family are depicted is so friendly. There is nothing scary about this vampire family.
This is a fun graphic novel with a great lesson on being true to who you are.
This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here https://www.yabookscentral.com/lumber...
Jack's fear of disappointing his parents is one that many readers can relate to. In the end, Jack learns it's important to remain true to himself and be honest with his family. I found the book to be very positive and encouraging.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are bright and engaging. The dance graphics show how happy Jack is dancing, and I appreciate the way the movement is captured. The way Jack and his vampire family are depicted is so friendly. There is nothing scary about this vampire family.
This is a fun graphic novel with a great lesson on being true to who you are.
This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here https://www.yabookscentral.com/lumber...
March 18, 2023
Now that he's finished under school, it's time for Jackula to decide whether to go to Sorrow's Gloom Vampire Academy where his vampire dad went or Mighty Log Lumberjack Prep where his lumberjack mom went. He has the fangs of a vampire and the beard of a lumberjack. Neither visit goes well because he's not fully a vampire and not fully a lumberjack. He stumbles upon a dancing school where he fits right in, but he will have to let both of his parents down. This felt too much like the Isadora Moon first chapter book to me, but most kids won't have probably read both of these books. Nothing super scary, dramatic, or intense. I did like that his mom was the big, strong lumberjack, and his dad was the dramatic/moody musician vampire. Nothing super special, but it's a well-drawn world that I would like to see more of.
September 5, 2022
This was super cute! After aging out of "under school," Jack has to choose a specialized secondary school to attend. His mom went to lumberjack school and his dad went to vampire school, but Jack realizes he wants to attend a dance academy! While Jack's parents are totally supportive, a classic miscommunication leads Jack to believe that his parents only want him to go to one of their old schools.
Jack's anxiety about telling his parents the truth is realistic for his age, although you wish he would just talk to them and hash things out, like, stat! Some of the dialogue was a bit clunky and robotic, but overall really fun. This quick read would be good for the younger middle grade crowd. In the end, it's a sweet story about courage, honesty, and finding what makes you happy.
Jack's anxiety about telling his parents the truth is realistic for his age, although you wish he would just talk to them and hash things out, like, stat! Some of the dialogue was a bit clunky and robotic, but overall really fun. This quick read would be good for the younger middle grade crowd. In the end, it's a sweet story about courage, honesty, and finding what makes you happy.
May 16, 2024
Jackula is a charmer of a "be yourself" graphic novel. Main character Jackula (half vampire, half lumberjack in a town populated solely by lumberjacks and vampires) has finished underschool and has to decide where to attend next - Lumberjack school? Vampire school? Even his super supportive parents can't calm his anxiety over having to pick one pathway that only highlights one part of himself, and his grandparents on both sides are even less help. It takes a manateen and a monster from a neighboring town to help Jack see his way through. It's not an original arc, but the world is quite unique and super entertaining, as Jack's powers/skills from both sides appear in surprising ways, particularly under stress. Really delightful.
December 16, 2022
Jack--who has a lumberjack mom and a vampire dad--has a life-changing choice to make: will he follow in his mom's footsteps and enroll in lumberjack school...or take his dad's path, and enroll in vampire school? Jack gives both schools a chance, but doesn't feel as though he truly fits in anywhere until an unexpected new friend (Plenty) leads him to a dance academy. But what will his parents think?
I picked this graphic novel up to prep for booktalks and wasn't expecting to actually like it, but like it I did. It's a sweet story about finding yourself, being true to what you love, and not making assumptions about others' intentions.
I picked this graphic novel up to prep for booktalks and wasn't expecting to actually like it, but like it I did. It's a sweet story about finding yourself, being true to what you love, and not making assumptions about others' intentions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews